Hybrid Nanoparticle Engineered with Transforming Growth Factor -β1-Overexpressed Extracellular Vesicle and Cartilage-Targeted Anti-Inflammatory Liposome for Osteoarthritis.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) possess the characteristics of their parent cells, based on which various studies have actively investigated treatments for diseases using mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs due to their regenerative activity. Furthermore, in recent years, there have been significant efforts to engineer EVs to improve their native activities and integrate additional functions. Although both endogenous and exogenous methods are used for engineering EVs, endogenous methods may pose the problem of administering substances to cells undergoing metabolic changes, which can cause potential side effects.

Transparent and visible light-activated antimicrobial air filters from electrospun crystal violet-embedded polyacrylonitrile nanofibers.

Bioaerosols pose significant risks to indoor environments and public health, driving interest in advanced antimicrobial air filtration technologies. Conventional antimicrobial filters often suffer from diminished efficacy over time and require additional binders to retain antimicrobial agents. This study introduces CV@PAN, a self-disinfecting nanofiber fabricated via electrospinning of crystal violet (CV) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN).

Paired-eye comparison of endothelial cell density and vault height after implantable collamer lens implantation.

In clinical practice, the effect of a high vault on corneal endothelial cells after implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation remains unclear. Many clinicians theoretically assume that a high postoperative vault leads to rapid endothelial damage, but no study has yet proven this hypothesis. We conducted a paired-eye study to compare changes in corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) between high and low postoperative vault groups.

Metal Stents for the Management of Massive Hemobilia in Patients with Hilum-Involving Cholangiocarcinoma Receiving Multi-Regimen Chemotherapy.

Recent clinical outcomes of multi-regimen chemotherapy in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) have shown benefits in terms of overall survival. However, repeated endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) and serious adverse events negatively affect prolongation of the survival period. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of massive hemobilia and the outcomes of its management with fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FC-SEMSs) in patients with hilum-involving CCC receiving multi-regimen chemotherapy.

Multifunctional extracellular vesicles and edaravone-loaded scaffolds for kidney tissue regeneration by activating GDNF/RET pathway.

With the severity of chronic kidney disease worldwide, strategies to recover renal function via tissue regeneration provide alternatives to kidney replacement therapy. To exclude side effects from direct cell transplantation, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are great substitutes representing paracrine cell signaling. To build three-dimensional structures for implantation into the 5/6 nephrectomy model by incorporating bioactive materials, including multifunctional EVs (mEVs), porous PMEZE/mEV scaffolds were developed in combination with edaravone (EDV; E) and mEV based on PMEZ scaffolds with PLGA (P), MH-RA (M), ECM (E), ZnO-ALA (Z).

A Short-Term Evaluation of the Eat and Exercise to Win Program for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

(1) Study Aim: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face a multitude of chronic health risks related to obesity, including diabetes and heart disease. Day adult service programs offer unique opportunities for improving and monitoring the health of this vulnerable group. To promote exercise and healthy eating habits among adults with IDD, the Eat and Exercise to Win Program (EE-2-Win) was offered weekly at two locations over 8-9 months.

Primary and Secondary Callous-Unemotional Childhood Variants in a Korean Community Sample.

Despite the growing support for the multiple developmental pathways to phenotypic callous-unemotional (CU) traits (i.e., primary, and secondary CU variants), there remains limited research on childhood manifestations of CU variants in non-Western, community samples.

Association between gingivitis, tooth loss and cardiovascular risk: Insights from a 10-year nationwide cohort study of 3.7 million Koreans.

Background: While studies have suggested an association between periodontal disease and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the strength of this association and its specific links to various types of cardiovascular disease have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to examine how gingivitis and tooth loss affect cardiovascular diseases, probing their individual impacts.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, encompassing 3,779,490 individuals with no history of cardiovascular disease, utilizing data from the National Health Examination and the Korean National Health Insurance database from 2006 to 2019.

Association Between Risk Perceptions of COVID-19, Political Ideology, and Mask-Wearing Behavior After the Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Survey in South Korea.

Purpose: After the declaration by the World Health Organization signaling the conclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries lifted mandatory mask-wearing regulations. This study aimed to investigate factors such as risk perception and political ideology associated with continued adherence to mask-wearing among specific populations, particularly when it is no longer deemed necessary.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including a sample of 1001 respondents stratified by sex, age (≥ 18 years), and region from January 31 to February 2, 2023, after the mandatory mask regulation was lifted in South Korea.

Combinatory Nanovesicle with siRNA-Loaded Extracellular Vesicle and IGF-1 for Osteoarthritis Treatments.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been found to have the characteristics of their parent cells. Based on the characteristics of these EVs, various studies on disease treatment using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived EVs with regenerative activity have been actively conducted. The therapeutic nature of MSC-derived EVs has been shown in several studies, but in recent years, there have been many efforts to functionalize EVs to give them more potent therapeutic effects.

Molecular factors determining brightness in fluorescence-encoded infrared vibrational spectroscopy.

Fluorescence-encoded infrared (FEIR) spectroscopy is a recently developed technique for solution-phase vibrational spectroscopy with detection sensitivity at the single-molecule level. While its spectroscopic information content and important criteria for its practical experimental optimization have been identified, a general understanding of the electronic and nuclear properties required for highly sensitive detection, i.e.

Association between age-related macular degeneration and risk of incident cancer.

Background/aims: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cancer may share similar risk factors, indicating possible common pathogenic pathways. We aimed to describe the site-specific cancer risk based on the relationship of AMD with visual disability (VD) status.

Methods: This was a population-based cohort study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database (2009-2019) including patients who participated in a national health screening programme in 2009.

Antarctic Krill Oil from Ameliorates Carrageenan-Induced Thrombosis in a Mouse Model.

FJH-KO obtained from Antarctic krill, especially , has been reported to contain high amounts of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and to exhibit anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its antithrombotic effects have not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate the antithrombotic effects of FJH-KO in carrageenan-induced thrombosis mouse models and human endothelial cells.

Kidney tissue regeneration using bioactive scaffolds incorporated with differentiating extracellular vesicles and intermediate mesoderm cells.

Background: To overcome the limitations of current alternative therapies for chronic kidney disease (CKD), tissue engineering-mediated regeneration strategies have demonstrated the possibilities for complete kidney tissue regeneration. Given the challenges associated with the reproducibility of renal basal cells, the incorporation of intermediate mesoderm (IM) cells and bioactive materials to control bioactivities of cells with supported scaffolds should be considered as a viable approach to enable the regeneration of the complex kidney structure via renal differentiation.

Methods: We developed PMEZ scaffolds by combining crucial bioactive components, such as ricinoleic acid-grafted Mg(OH) (M), extracellular matrix (E), and alpha lipoic acid-conjugated ZnO (Z) integrated into biodegradable porous PLGA (P) platform.

Development of a Temperature-Responsive Hydrogel Incorporating PVA into NIPAAm for Controllable Drug Release in Skin Regeneration.

Melanoma, a highly malignant and aggressive form of skin cancer, poses a significant global health threat, with limited treatment options and potential side effects. In this study, we developed a temperature-responsive hydrogel for skin regeneration with a controllable drug release. The hydrogel was fabricated using an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of -isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA).

Partial in vivo reprogramming enables injury-free intestinal regeneration via autonomous induction.

Tissue regeneration after injury involves the dedifferentiation of somatic cells, a natural adaptive reprogramming that leads to the emergence of injury-responsive cells with fetal-like characteristics. However, there is no direct evidence that adaptive reprogramming involves a shared molecular mechanism with direct cellular reprogramming. Here, we induced dedifferentiation of intestinal epithelial cells using OSKM (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc) in vivo.

Antimicrobial and Antifouling Effects of Petal-Like Nanostructure by Evaporation-Induced Self-Assembly for Personal Protective Equipment.

Although the personal protective equipment (PPE) used by healthcare workers (HCWs) effectively blocks hazardous substances and pathogens, it does not fully rule out the possibility of infection, as pathogens surviving on the fabric surface pose a substantial risk of cross-infection through unintended means. Therefore, PPE materials that exhibit effective biocidal activity while minimizing contamination by viscous body fluids (e.g.

Exclusionary School Discipline and School Achievement for Middle and High School Students, by Race and Ethnicity.

Importance: There are racial and ethnic inequities in exclusionary school discipline (ESD) (ie, a disciplinary action that removes students from their classroom or school environment, eg, referrals, suspensions, and/or expulsions) practices in the US. Exclusionary school discipline has been associated with negative education, health, and criminal justice outcomes.

Objectives: To investigate whether experiencing an ESD event was associated with decreased grade point average (GPA) and whether minoritized students (eg, Black or Latine [description used in database]) are disproportionately affected compared with White students.

Occupational characteristics and risk factors associated with endometriosis among Korean female workers.

Endometriosis is a chronic and debilitating condition that affects daily working life. Characterization of the factors associated with endometriosis in the working population can facilitate the development of prevention and intervention strategies for those at risk of endometriosis. This population-based retrospective study was conducted using the 2007-2015 National Health Insurance Service-Female Employees database.

Association between plant protein intake and grip strength in Koreans aged 50 years or older: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2018.

Background/objectives: We investigated the association of plant and animal protein intake with grip strength in Koreans aged ≥ 50 yrs.

Subjects/methods: The data was collected from 3,610 men and 4,691 women (≥ 50 yrs) from the 2016-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We calculated the total energy intake, and the intake of animal and plant protein and collected dietary data using 1-day 24-h dietary recalls.