Chitosan-coated PLA/poloxamer nanoparticles stimulate immunologic cancer cell death and synergistic chemo-immunotherapeutic efficacy.

Cancer, a key factor in declining global life expectancy, has driven the integration of chemotherapy and immunotherapy to address multidrug resistance and influence the tumor microenvironment. We developed a novel vaccine delivery carrier, a chitosan-coated polylactic acid/poloxamer nanoparticle (CPP NP), designed to co-encapsulate an anticancer drug and antigen without any chemical conjugation process, enabling effective and synergistic cancer chemo-immunotherapy. The CPP NP achieved synergistic efficacy through paclitaxel (PTX), an immunogenic cell death-inducing chemotherapeutic agent; ovalbumin (OVA), which promotes dendritic cell maturation; and enhanced cellular uptake facilitated by chitosan.

Global Burden of Vaccine-Associated Chronic Urticaria, 2010-2023: From the Global Pharmacovigilance Database.

Purpose: The etiology and pathophysiology of vaccine-associated chronic urticaria (CU) remain unclear, particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Thus, this study aimed to comprehensively investigate the global burden and long-term trends of vaccine-associated CU, with a focus on the associated vaccines and the distribution of cases across different age groups and sexes.

Methods: Using data from the World Health Organization international pharmacovigilance database (VigiBase), which encompasses reports from 156 countries and territories between 1968 and 2023, we systematically analyzed the global burden and long-term trends in vaccine-associated CU reports (total individual case safety reports = 131,255,418).

Mechanical acupuncture at HT7 attenuates alcohol self-administration in rats by modulating neuroinflammation and altering mPFC-habenula-VTA circuit activity.

Introduction: Alcohol use disorder is a chronic disorder with significant limitations in pharmacological treatments, necessitating the exploration of non-pharmacological interventions.

Methods: We used a model of alcohol self-administration (10% v/v) to analyze behavioral, neurochemical, and signaling mechanisms.

Results: Our findings demonstrate that stimulation of the HT7 acupuncture point significantly decreased the frequency of active lever presses in rats self-administering alcohol ( < 0.

Global Incidence and Prevalence of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Data on the global prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is significantly varied and limited across countries and over time. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the global, regional, and national burden of CRS from the years 1980 to 2021, as well as identify those factors that influence levels of such burden.

Design: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of general population-based observational studies focusing on CRS.

Upper airway comorbidities of asthma.

Asthma, characterized as a chronic heterogeneous airway disease, often presents with common comorbid conditions. The concept of "one airway, one disease" was coined more than 20 years ago, emphasizing the connection between asthma and upper airway comorbidities (UACs) such as allergic or nonallergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps, and aspirin/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory disease. Since then, numerous studies have demonstrated that UACs are closely related and affect asthma phenotypes.

Indirect-To-Direct Bandgap Crossover and Room-Temperature Valley Polarization of Multilayer MoS Achieved by Electrochemical Intercalation.

Monolayer (1L) group VI transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) exhibit broken inversion symmetry and strong spin-orbit coupling, offering promising applications in optoelectronics and valleytronics. Despite their direct bandgap, high absorption coefficient, and spin-valley locking in K or K' valleys, the ultra-short valley lifetime limits their room-temperature applications. In contrast, multilayer TMDs, with more absorptive layers, sacrifice the direct bandgap and valley polarization upon gaining inversion symmetry from the bilayer structure.

Nanoscale Graded Nitrogen-Doping of TiO via Pulsed Laser Deposition for Enhancing Charge Transfer in Perovskite Solar Cells.

An electron transport layer (ETL) for highly efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs) should exhibit superior electrical transport properties and have its band levels aligned with interfacing layers to ensure efficient extraction of photo-generated carriers. Nitrogen-doped TiO (TiO:N) is considered a promising ETL because it offers higher electrical conductivity compared to conventional ETLs made from spray-pyrolyzed TiO. However, the application of highly doped TiO:N in PSCs is often limited by the misalignment of energy band levels with adjacent layers and reduced optical transparency.

Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer on CuO/TiCT MXene for Propane (CH) Synthesis from Electrochemical CO Reduction.

Electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR) to produce value-added multi-carbon chemicals has been an appealing approach to achieving environmentally friendly carbon neutrality in recent years. Despite extensive research focusing on the use of CO to produce high-value chemicals like high-energy-density hydrocarbons, there have been few reports on the production of propane (CH), which requires carbon chain elongation and protonation. A rationally designed 0D/2D hybrid CuO anchored-TiCT MXene catalyst (CuO/MXene) is demonstrated with efficient CORR activity in an aqueous electrolyte to produce CH.

Coatable strain sensors for nonplanar surfaces.

Rapidly fabricating flexible and stretchable sensors on nonplanar surfaces is crucial for wearable device applications. We employed a novel fabrication method, incorporating molds and gels into electroless plating, to enable direct printing of sensors on a wide array of surfaces, from those with up to 100 μm profile heights to hydrogels with a Young's modulus of 100 kPa. This coatable strain (CS) sensor offers several potential advantages.

An In Silico-Guided Approach for Assessing Herb-Drug Interaction Potential: A Case Study with Cudrania tricuspidata Leaf Extracts.

leaf extracts have long been utilized as traditional oriental medicines across Asian countries like Korea, China, and Japan. These extracts are renowned for their therapeutic benefits in addressing inflammation, tumors, obesity, and diabetes, maintaining their status as a pivotal folk remedy. Given the rising trend of combining medicinal herbs with conventional medications, it is imperative to explore the potential herb-drug interactions.

National prevalence of atopic dermatitis in Korean adolescents from 2009 to 2022.

Previous studies have examined the prevalence of allergic diseases in adolescents 1-2 years after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, more data is needed to understand the long-term impact of COVID-19 on allergic diseases. Thus, we aimed to examine the trend of the atopic dermatitis prevalence in Korean adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic across 14 years.

Intraosseous vascular malformation of the skull: a case report and literature review.

A 59-year-old woman presented to our clinic with a 3.5× 3-cm protruding mass on her forehead. A skull X-ray revealed a radiolucent osteolytic lesion on the left side of the frontal bone.

Comorbidity Genes of Alzheimer's Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Associated with Memory and Cognitive Function.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are comorbidities that result from the sharing of common genes. The molecular background of comorbidities can provide clues for the development of treatment and management strategies. Here, the common genes involved in the development of the two diseases and in memory and cognitive function are reviewed.

Ideal length of accessory rod for the prevention of rod fracture after pedicle subtraction osteotomy in adult spinal deformity: short or long?

Objective: Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) is an effective surgical procedure for adult spinal deformity (ASD). However, the complexity of the procedure and its associated complications including rod fracture (RF) remain challenging issues. Among several RF reduction methods, the accessory rod (AR) is an important surgical technique.

Potential Molecular Markers Related to Lymph Node Metastasis and Stalk Resection Margins in Pedunculated T1 Colorectal Cancers Using Digital Spatial Profiling: A Pilot Study with a Small Case Series.

There is a debate regarding the prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in pedunculated T1 colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study with four cases of pedunculated T1 CRCs, we aimed to investigate gene expression variations based on the distance from the Haggitt line (HL) and identify potential molecular risk factors for LNM. By leveraging the Cancer Transcriptome Atlas and digital spatial profiling technology, we meticulously analyzed discrete regions, including the head, HL, proximal stalk region (300-1000 μm from HL), and distal stalk region (1500-2000 μm from HL) to identify spatially sequential molecular changes.

Dupilumab Reduces Asthma Disease Burden and Recurrent SCS Use in Patients with CRSwNP and Coexisting Asthma.

Purpose: Dupilumab significantly reduced the requirement for systemic corticosteroids (SCS) in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Patients with CRSwNP and coexisting asthma typically have a higher disease burden and have more difficulty in managing disease. Here, we report an analysis of asthma outcomes and SCS use in patients with CRSwNP and coexisting asthma.

National Trends and Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis and Pandemic-Related Factors among Korean Adults, 2007-2021.

Introduction: Previous studies have variably reported inconclusive trends in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) among adults, and there are limited data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to investigate the national trends and age-stratified prevalence of AD among adults from 2007 to 2021 in South Korea, focusing mainly on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic-related factors.

Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2007 to 2021.

Preventive and therapeutic effects of low-dose whole-body irradiation on collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis in mice.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by progressive joint inflammation, resulting in cartilage destruction and bone erosion. It was reported that low-dose radiation modulates immune disease. Here, we investigated whether low-dose whole-body irradiation has preventive and therapeutic effects in collagen-induced RA (CIA) mouse models.

Dysregulated microRNA Expression Relevant to Promoter Mutations in Tonsil Cancer-A Pilot Study.

Tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas (TSCCs) exhibit high rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity. The expression profiles of microRNA (miRNA), which are small RNA molecules that play pivotal roles in biological processes, in TSCC in relation to the HPV status and cancer-related genetic mutations are not well investigated. Herein, we expanded our previous research, which was focused on established clinicopathological and genetic mutational data, to profile miRNA expression in TSCC, aiming to identify clinically relevant targets for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.