SEPO-FI: Deep-learning based software to calculate fusion index of muscle cells.

The fusion index is a critical metric for quantitatively assessing the transformation of in vitro muscle cells into myotubes in the biological and medical fields. Traditional methods for calculating this index manually involve the labor-intensive counting of numerous muscle cell nuclei in images, which necessitates determining whether each nucleus is located inside or outside the myotubes, leading to significant inter-observer variation. To address these challenges, this study proposes a three-stage process that integrates the strengths of pattern recognition and deep-learning to automatically calculate the fusion index.

Yeokwisan: Standardised Herbal Formula Enhancing Gastric Mucosal Protection Against Gastric Ulcers in Mice, a Preclinical Study.

: Yeokwisan (YWS) is a standardised herbal formula for relieving functional dyspepsia symptoms. : We explored the therapeutic value of YWS and its potential effects on gastritis. Its inhibitory effect on gastric mucosal damage and anti-inflammatory activity in animal models of alcohol- and restraint stress-induced gastritis were also examined.

Analysis of Preventive Effect of Bisphosphonate for Osteoporotic Fracture in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Patient Mortality.

: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the older adult population and is often associated with reduced physical activity. Reduced activity and mechanical loading subsequently reduce bone mineral density and increase risk of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates (BPs) offer preventative effects on osteoporotic fractures in the general population, but their effects on patients with AD are less known.

Sandwiched Strut Allografts with Stem Retention to Treat Fragile Periprosthetic Femoral Fractures: A Case Report.

Managing periprosthetic femoral fractures is challenging, particularly in osteoporotic patients with fragile bones. Revision with a long stem is commonly considered but may fail to provide adequate fixation and stability in fragile bones. A novel approach using sandwiched strut allografts and controlled bone crushing with robust cable fixation can offer mechanical support and provide secondary stability to the loosened femoral stem and can be considered a treatment option for low-demand patients.

Standardization of the Agar Plate Method for Bacteriophage Production.

The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights the urgent need for alternative treatments such as bacteriophage (phage) therapy. Phage therapy offers a targeted approach to combat bacterial infections, particularly those resistant to conventional antibiotics. This study aimed to standardize an agar plate method for high-mix, low-volume phage production, suitable for personalized phage therapy.

Prevalence of Reasons for Tooth Extraction in Small- and Medium-Breed Dogs.

As the life span of companion animals increases and their owners' concern for their quality of life increases, interest in dental diseases has also gained attention. While many studies have explored oral diseases in general, research on small-breed dogs remains limited. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed various diseases that led to tooth extraction in small- and medium-breed dogs.

Molecular Hydrogen Modulates T Cell Differentiation and Enhances Neuro-Regeneration in a Vascular Dementia Mouse Model.

This study explores whether molecular hydrogen (H) administration can alleviate cognitive and immunological disturbances in a mouse model of vascular dementia (VaD). Adult male C57BL/6 mice underwent bilateral common carotid artery stenosis to induce VaD and were subsequently assigned to three groups: VaD, VaD with hydrogen-rich water treatment (VaD + H), and Sham controls. Behavioral assessments using open field and novel object recognition tests revealed that VaD mice exhibited anxiety-deficient behavior and memory impairment, both of which were reversed by H treatment.

Liver-innervating vagal sensory neurons are indispensable for the development of hepatic steatosis and anxiety-like behavior in diet-induced obese mice.

The visceral organ-brain axis, mediated by vagal sensory neurons, is essential for maintaining various physiological functions. Here, we investigate the impact of liver-projecting vagal sensory neurons on energy balance, hepatic steatosis, and anxiety-like behavior in mice under obesogenic conditions. A small subset of vagal sensory neurons innervate the liver and project centrally to the nucleus of the tractus solitarius, area postrema, and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, and peripherally to the periportal areas in the liver.

Enhanced storage and gastrointestinal stability of spray-dried whey protein emulsions with chitosan and gum Arabic.

Protein-based emulsions are widely utilized for delivering bioactives but suffer from thermodynamic instability, microbial spoilage, and gastrointestinal instability, necessitating enhancement strategies. This study explores the improvement of whey protein isolate (WPI) emulsions through chitosan (CS) coating and spray drying with maltodextrin (MD) or gum Arabic (GA). Canola oil droplets were stabilized with WPI, electrostatic coated with CS, and spray-dried.

Exploring the Benefits and Prescribing Informations of Combining East Asian Herbal Medicine with Conventional Medicine in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Multifaceted Analysis of 415 Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Notwithstanding progress in conventional medicine (CM), the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) continues to be problematic due to factors such as limited patient response to treatment and restricted medication access. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which East Asian herbal medicine with CM combination therapy (EACM) provides additional benefits in effectiveness and safety.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search across 11 databases in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese for randomized controlled trials.

Efficacy of bentonite/iron-coated sand as a sediment stabilizer in controlling cadmium, lead, zinc, and arsenic release determined using the diffusive gradients in thin film technology.

In this study, we investigated the efficiency of a bentonite/iron-coated sand (B/ICS) stabilizer in reducing the mobility and accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, and As) in contaminated sediments. Bentonite is effective in the adsorption of heavy metals, while ICS is effective in the adsorption of As. When combined, the stabilizer can be applied to mixed-contaminated sediments containing both heavy metals and As.

Review of Cadmium Bioaccumulation in Fish Exposed to Cadmium.

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic substance in the aquatic ecosystem, which can represent a high risk to fish. Fish are exposed to heavy metals through waterborne and dietary pathways, some of which are absorbed by the body and can accumulate in specific tissues without being eliminated. The accumulation varies depending on several factors such as dose, exposure route, exposure time, metal types, and biological status of the fish, and environmental parameters such as DO, salinity, pH, and metal speciation.

Regulating Immune Responses Induced by PEGylated Messenger RNA-Lipid Nanoparticle Vaccine.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapeutics have shown remarkable progress in the treatment and prevention of diseases. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have shown great successes in delivering mRNAs. After an mRNA-LNP vaccine enters a cell via an endosome, mRNA is translated into an antigen, which can activate adaptive immunity.

Fundus Photography-Based Distribution of Retinal Hemorrhages in Newborns: Implications for Underlying Mechanisms.

The aim of this study was to investigate the locational distribution and potential mechanisms of retinal hemorrhages in newborns using fundus photography. A retrospective analysis of 98 consecutive newborns with retinal hemorrhages in at least one eye and 30 control newborns without retinal hemorrhages after uneventful delivery was conducted. Retinal hemorrhages were diagnosed and characterized using fundus photography and indirect ophthalmoscopy.

Potential Chemopreventive Role of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Head and Neck Cancer: Insights from a Nested Case-Control Analysis of a National Health Screening Cohort.

: This study investigated the potential chemopreventive role of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use in relation to the occurrence of head and neck cancer (HNC) within a national cohort amid concerns of PPI overprescription. : From a cohort of 1,137,861 individuals and 219,673,817 medical claim records collected between 2005 and 2019, 1677 HNC patients were identified and matched 1:4 with 6708 controls after adjusting for covariates. Odds ratios (ORs) for PPI use and its duration in relation to HNC and its subsites were estimated using propensity score overlap-weighted multivariable logistic regression.

Fear of Missing out and Online Social Anxiety in University Students: Mediation by Irrational Procrastination and Media Multitasking.

With the rapid growth of internet mobile technology, recent research has increasingly focused on the mental health challenges faced by young people, particularly in relation to social media use. One significant concern is the impact of the fear of missing out (FoMO) and online social anxiety, yet the underlying mechanisms that link these factors remain largely unexplored. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the role of FoMO in predicting online social anxiety among university students, with a particular focus on understanding how irrational procrastination and media multitasking may mediate this relationship.

Depressive symptoms and quality of life among women experiencing infertility: The moderating effect of perceived social support.

Background: Infertility constitutes a leading reproductive health problem with profound psychosocial outcomes, including elevated depressive symptoms that compromise quality of life (QoL). While the literature has suggested social support as a protective psychological mechanism, its role in depressive symptoms and QoL among women with infertility remains underexplored. This study aimed to examine the moderating effect of perceived social support on the relationship between depressive symptoms and QoL among South Korean women experiencing infertility.

Predicting Neoplastic Gallbladder Polyps: The Role of Current Surgical Indications and Preoperative Images.

Background/aims: Cholecystectomy for gallbladder (GB) polyps is performed primarily based on preoperative images. This study examined the accuracy of surgical indications commonly used in clinical practice for detecting neoplastic polyps and investigated further clues for predicting neoplastic polyps.

Methods: This retrospective study included 385 patients who underwent a cholecystectomy for GB polyps.

Computational Study on the Dynamics of a Bis(benzoxazole)-Based Overcrowded Alkene.

Understanding and controlling molecular motions is of pivotal importance for designing molecular machinery and functional molecular systems, capable of performing complex tasks. Herein, we report a comprehensive theoretical study to elucidate the dynamic behavior of a bis(benzoxazole)-based overcrowded alkene displaying several coupled and uncoupled molecular motions. The benzoxazole moieties give rise to 4 different stable conformers that interconvert through single-bond rotations.

Effectiveness of Oral Prophylactic Antibiotics for Diagnostic Bronchoscopy: A Nationwide Database Study.

Rationale: Although the guidelines generally omit routine antibiotic prophylaxis for diagnostic bronchoscopy, this recommendation is primarily based on studies with relatively small sample sizes conducted at single institutions. Moreover, the applicability of recent technical and procedural advancements to these guidelines remains uncertain.

Objectives: To evaluate whether oral prophylactic antibiotic administration for diagnostic bronchoscopy reduces post-bronchoscopy infections among non-infectious diseases in the current setting.

Synthetic Bilirubin-Based Nanomedicine Protects Against Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through Antioxidant and Immune-Modulating Activity.

Renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common form of acute kidney injury. The basic mechanism underlying renal IRI is acute inflammation, where oxidative stress plays an important role. Although bilirubin exhibits potent reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging properties, its clinical application is hindered by problems associated with solubility, stability, and toxicity.

Semantic abnormalities in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: A natural language processing approach.

Introduction: The diagnostic boundaries between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are controversial due to the ambiguity of psychiatric nosology. From this perspective, it is noteworthy that formal thought disorder has historically been considered pathognomonic of schizophrenia. Given that human thought is partially based on language, we can hypothesize that alterations in language may help differentiate between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Double-sided van der Waals epitaxy of topological insulators across an atomically thin membrane.

Atomically thin van der Waals (vdW) films provide a material platform for the epitaxial growth of quantum heterostructures. However, unlike the remote epitaxial growth of three-dimensional bulk crystals, the growth of two-dimensional material heterostructures across atomic layers has been limited due to the weak vdW interaction. Here we report the double-sided epitaxy of vdW layered materials through atomic membranes.

A systematic review of emergency room laparotomy in patients with severe abdominal trauma.

Traumatic intra-abdominal hemorrhage contributes to mortality in patients with trauma. However, initiating an emergent laparotomy in the operating room (OR) as a standard treatment can sometimes be time-consuming. To overcome this issue, laparotomy is performed in the emergency room (ER) in some institutions.