Simultaneous Epigenetic and Gene Expression Profiling at Single Cell Resolution Uncovers Stem-Like Treg Subsets Induced With Oligonucleotide Expansion in Humans.

Tregs play a central role in maintaining immune tolerance. Recent progress in the clinical application of Tregs underscores their potential for cell therapy. Nevertheless, a notable hurdle remains in producing functional Tregs .

DD-PRiSM: a deep learning framework for decomposition and prediction of synergistic drug combinations.

Combination therapies have emerged as a promising approach for treating complex diseases, particularly cancer. However, predicting the efficacy and safety profiles of these therapies remains a significant challenge, primarily because of the complex interactions among drugs and their wide-ranging effects. To address this issue, we introduce DD-PRiSM (Decomposition of Drug-Pair Response into Synergy and Monotherapy effect), a deep-learning pipeline that predicts the effects of combination therapy.

GC1126A, a novel ADAMTS13 mutein, evades autoantibodies in immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a rare and life-threatening blood disorder characterized by the formation of blood clots in small blood vessels. It is caused by antibodies targeting the A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 repeats, member 13 (ADAMTS13), which plays a role in cleaving von Willebrand factor. Most patients with iTTP have autoantibodies against specific domains of the ADAMTS13 protein, particularly the cysteine-rich and spacer domains.

Cohort profile: Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Rare Pediatric Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases in Korea (OUTSPREAD study).

Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated.

Curcumin and Its Potential to Target the Glycolytic Behavior of Lactate-Acclimated Prostate Carcinoma Cells with Docetaxel.

Dysregulated cellular metabolism is known to be associated with drug resistance in cancer treatment. In this study, we investigated the impact of cellular adaptation to lactic acidosis on intracellular energy metabolism and sensitivity to docetaxel in prostate carcinoma (PC) cells. The effects of curcumin and the role of hexokinase 2 (HK2) in this process were also examined.

Real-World Status in the Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in People Living with HIV in Korea.

This retrospective study analyzed medical records of 1,392 people living with HIV (PLWH) diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) at two provincial central hospitals from 2011 to 2022. LTBI was diagnosed in 152 patients (10.9%) patients aged ≥18 years.

Aging with HIV: The Burden of Comorbidities, Polypharmacy, and Drug Interactions in Korean People Living with HIV Aged ≥50 Years.

Background: The life expectancy of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) has significantly improved with advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, aging PLWH face a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), polypharmacy, and drug-drug interactions (DDIs), which pose challenges in their management. This study investigates the prevalence of NCDs, polypharmacy, and DDIs among PLWH aged ≥50 years in Korea and their impact on quality of life (QOL).

Deep Learning Analysis of White Matter Hyperintensity and its Association with Comprehensive Vascular Factors in Two Large General Populations.

Although the relationships between basic clinical parameters and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) have been studied, the associations between vascular factors and WMH volume in general populations remain unclear. We investigated the associations between clinical parameters including comprehensive vascular factors and WMH in two large general populations. This retrospective, cross-sectional study involved two populations: individuals who underwent general health examinations at the Asan Medical Center (AMC) and participants from a regional cohort, the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES).

Feeding behavior and prey characteristics of great egrets (Ardea alba) in eco-friendly and conventional rice fields in South Korea.

Rice fields are important wildlife habitats; however, intensive agricultural practices have reduced the population of farmland birds. As a high-level consumer, the great egret (Ardea alba) serves as an indicator of the overall biodiversity of rice fields. However, little is known about the effects of farming methods on the feeding habitat selection of the great egret.

Male preference for TERT alterations and HBV integration in young-age HBV-related HCC: implications for sex disparity.

Background/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits significant sex disparities in incidence, yet its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We explored the role of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) genetic alterations and hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration, both known major contributors to HCC, in sex-specific risk for HBV-related HCC.

Methods: We examined 310 HBV-related HCC tissues to investigate sex-specific TERT promoter (TERT-pro) mutations and HBV integration profiles, stratified by sex and age, and validated with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data.

Impact of DLL3 Expression as Prognostic Factor in Extensive Stage of Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With First-Line Chemotherapy.

Introduction: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is known for its high proliferative rate and poor prognosis. Although Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) is specifically expressed on the surface of SCLC, the association of DLL3 with prognosis in SCLC remains uncertain. Hence, we aimed to evaluate prognostic role of DLL3 in extensive stage of SCLC treated with first-line chemotherapy.

Molecular responses to clove and oregano essential oils are associated with reduced inflammation and improved gut barrier function in broiler chickens.

In vitro tests were conducted to characterize the host-mediated responses of chickens to Clove Essential Oil (CEO) and Oregano Essential Oil (OEO). Chicken macrophage cells (CMCs), chicken intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), quail muscle cells (QMCs), and chicken embryonic muscle cells (EMCs) were utilized in these assays. EMCs were collected from the 13-day-old embryo during egg incubation and all cell lines were seeded at 2 × 10/mL in a 24-well plate.

Enterococcus avium Infection After Liver Transplantation in Vietnam: A Case Report.

Background: The infectious complications are the most common and can be life-threatening to liver transplant recipients, in particular, within the first month after transplantation. Early diagnosis of these severe complications and accurate detection of causative etiologies are crucial for the choice of therapeutic strategies and management of liver transplants.

Case Report: We present a case report of a patient with a history of primary sclerosing cholangitis who underwent a liver transplantation (LT) from a living donor.

Bi-cruciate stabilized total knee arthroplasty restores the native knee alignments better than conventional posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the differences in the radiological, clinical, and functional outcomes and the estimated restoration rate of native knee alignment between total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with bi-cruciate stabilized (BCS) and posterior stabilized (PS) design.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients between 2020 and 2021 who underwent TKA. The patients were divided into two groups (group I, Journey II BCS TKA [106 knees]; group II, Persona PS TKA [106 knees]) after 1:1 propensity score matching.

EZH2 inhibition enhances T cell immunotherapies by inducing lymphoma immunogenicity and improving T cell function.

T cell-based immunotherapies have demonstrated effectiveness in treating diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL) but predicting response and understanding resistance remains a challenge. To address this, we developed syngeneic models reflecting the genetics, epigenetics, and immunology of human FL and DLBCL. We show that EZH2 inhibitors reprogram these models to re-express T cell engagement genes and render them highly immunogenic.

Taurine Synthesis by 2-Aminoethanethiol Dioxygenase as a Vulnerable Metabolic Alteration in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits an altered metabolic profile compared to normal pancreatic tissue. However, studies on actual pancreatic tissues are limited. Untargeted metabolomics analysis was conducted on 54 pairs of tumor and matched normal tissues.

Frequency comb measurements for 6G terahertz nano/microphotonics and metamaterials.

Next-generation 6G communication holds the potential to revolutionize data transfer, enabling the realization of eXtended Reality (XR) with enhanced sensory experiences. To achieve this, advanced components such as high-performance intensity/phase modulators, waveguides, multiplexers, splitters, combiners, and filters operating in terahertz (THz) regime, specifically within the frequency range of 0.1-1 THz, are essential.

TIGAR coordinates senescence-associated secretory phenotype via lysosome repositioning and α-tubulin deacetylation.

TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) regulates redox homeostasis and provides the intermediates necessary for cell growth by reducing the glycolytic rate. During cellular senescence, cells undergo metabolic rewiring towards the glycolytic pathway, along with the development of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), also known as the secretome. We observed that TIGAR expression increased during replicative senescence following the in vitro expansion of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and that TIGAR knockout (KO) decreased SASP factors and triggered premature senescence with decelerated progression.

Allyl isothiocyanate exacerbates acute toxoplasmosis through inhibition of inflammatory cytokines.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a natural product commonly used in food preservation and pharmaceutical applications. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, is prevalent globally while the impact of AITC on toxoplasmosis is unclear. We explored the effect of AITC on acute toxoplasmosis.

Automated Non-Supervised Eye Disorder Screening System Using Virtual Reality.

Background: Neglecting eye disorders can lead to visual impairment or even vision loss, making early diagnosis and medical treatment crucial. This paper presents the development of an automated non-supervised eye disorder screening system that utilises Virtual Reality (VR) to provide a preliminary screening for common eye disorders.

Methods: The system integrates advanced pupil-tracking techniques, image-processing methods, and eye disorder screening algorithms into one package for comprehensive eye disorder monitoring, including a strabismus test, a pupil test, and a contrast sensitivity test.

A bleomycin-mimicking manganese-porphyrin-conjugated mitochondria-targeting peptoid for cancer therapy.

Bleomycin (BLM) is a natural product with established anticancer activity, attributed to its ability to cleave intracellular DNA. BLM complexes with iron (BLM-Fe) exhibit peroxidase-like activity, generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cause DNA cleavage. Inspired by the mechanism of BLM, we synthesized a novel conjugate of manganese tetraphenylporphyrin (MnTPP) with a biomimetic peptoid (i.

Advanced Secondary Intention Healing for Complex Soft-Tissue Defects Using Reprocessed Micronized Acellular Dermal Matrix.

Secondary intention healing offers an alternative when surgical options are infeasible. This study analyzed the effect of micronized acellular dermal matrices (mADMs; CGderm Matrix, CG Bio, Seoul, Republic of Korea) on secondary intention healing in patients with complex soft-tissue defects and assessed mADMs' efficacy in promoting secondary healing and improving clinical outcomes in these challenging cases. This retrospective study included 26 patients treated with sheet-type reprocessed mADMs between August 2022 and December 2022 at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital.