Inula japonica Thunb. and its active compounds ameliorate airway inflammation by suppressing JAK-STAT signaling.

Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease, remains a global health challenge due to its complex pathophysiology and the limited treatment efficacy. This study explored the effect of Inula japonica Thunb. water extract (IJW) on asthma and its protective mechanisms.

National validation of laparoscopic approach for locally advanced gastric cancer: Comparison of a randomized controlled trial and real-world practice results.

Objective: The laparoscopic approach for locally advanced gastric cancer has recently been adopted based on the results of several randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, findings from RCTs have not been examined at the national level. This study aimed to investigate the external validity of the Korean Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study-02 (KLASS-02) trial involving 13 tertiary hospitals, using data from the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA)-led nationwide survey involving 68 tertiary or general hospitals.

Ultrasensitive Characterization of Native Bacterial Biofilms via Dynamic Nuclear Polarization-Enhanced Solid-State NMR.

Bacterial biofilms are major contributors to persistent infections and antimicrobial resistance, posing significant challenges to treatment. However, obtaining high-resolution structural information on native bacterial biofilms has remained elusive due to the methodological limitations associated with analyzing complex biological samples. Solid-state NMR (ssNMR) has shown promise in this regard, but its conventional application is hindered by sensitivity constraints for unlabeled samples.

Rational design and therapeutic potential of MyD88 inhibitory peptide in psoriasis.

Myeloid differentiation primary-response 88 (MyD88) is a crucial adaptor protein for initiating immune responses via Toll-like receptors (TLRs). This study employed a rational peptide design approach to develop MyD88 inhibitory peptides targeting the MyD88 interaction interface. The designed peptide, MyDIP2-4, was evaluated for its efficacy in inhibiting MyD88-dependent signaling in human and mouse cell lines.

Photoprotective Effect of Taurine-Rich Protamex Extract From Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) Byproduct Against Ultraviolet B-Induced Skin Damage in Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Zebrafish Model.

Background: Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light promotes reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and metalloproteinase (MMP) 1 expression, leading to skin damage. Several studies have reported that protein-rich fish byproducts from enzymatic hydrolysis exhibited a variety of health benefits such as antioxidant and anti-inflammation. In the current study, we investigated the protective effect of protein hydrolysate from salmon byproduct (SBPH) in ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and zebrafish.

Deciphering individual triticale grain weight patterns: A gaussian mixture model approach.

Grain weight is one of the key phenotypic traits in crops, closely related to yield. However, the actual structure of grain weight distribution is often overlooked. In this paper, to analyze the characteristics of grain weight, we interpret the weight distribution and structure of individual grains of triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) from the perspective of a sum of normal distributions, rather than a single normal distribution, using the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM).

Outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention or bypass surgery for ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Introduction And Objectives: There are 2 options to achieve revascularization in ischemic cardiomyopathy: percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). While the benefits of PCI for ischemic cardiomyopathy are unclear, achieving complete revascularization with PCI could improve outcomes comparable to CABG.

Methods: A total of 1496 patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% and multivessel disease who underwent either PCI or CABG were selected from a single-center cohort registry.

Clinical Impact of Sarcopenia Screening on Long-Term Mortality in Patients Undergoing Coronary Bypass Grafting.

Background: Sarcopenia is an aging-related condition characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass and is an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis. The relationship between reduced muscle mass and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with advanced coronary artery disease who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is not fully understood. This study is sought to evaluate the prognostic implications of sarcopenia screening in patients undergoing CABG.

High-Sensitivity Analysis of Native Bacterial Biofilms Using Dynamic Nuclear Polarization-Enhanced Solid-State NMR.

Bacterial biofilms cause persistent infections that are difficult to treat and contribute greatly to antimicrobial resistance. However, high-resolution structural information on native bacterial biofilms remain very limited. This limitation is primarily due to methodological constraints associated with analyzing complex native samples.

Prognostic implication of extra-pancreatic organ invasion in resectable pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma in the pancreas tail.

Objectives: To assess the prognostic significance of extra-pancreatic organ invasion in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in the pancreas tail.

Materials & Methods: This retrospective study included patients with resectable PDAC in the pancreas tail who received upfront surgery between 2014 and 2020 at a tertiary institution. Preoperative pancreas protocol computed tomography (CT) scans evaluated tumor size, peripancreatic tumor infiltration, suspicious metastatic lymph nodes, and extra-pancreatic organ invasion.

Sculpting the Electronic Nano-Terrain on a Perovskite Film for Efficient Charge Transport.

Nanopatterned halide perovskites have emerged to improve the performance of optoelectronic devices by controlling the crystallographic and optical properties via morphological modification. However, the correlation between the photophysical property and morphology transformation in nanopatterned perovskite films remains elusive, which hinders the rational design of nanopatterned halide perovskites for optoelectronic devices. In this study, we employed nanoimprinting lithography on a perovskite film to exert a precise control over grain growth and manipulate electronic structures at the level of individual grains.

Endovascular Embolization of Intracranial Aneurysms Using Target Tetra Detachable Coils: Angiographic and Clinical Results from a Single Center.

: Target tetra detachable coils (TTDCs) aid in achieving effective framing during the coil embolization of small intracranial aneurysms by maintaining a tetrahedral conformation within the aneurysm sac. We aimed to report the initial experience of patients treated for intracranial aneurysms using TTDCs, with a specific focus on efficacy and safety. : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 41 patients who underwent the coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms sized ≤10 mm with TTDCs between April and May 2023.

Discovery of Novel Small Molecule Dual Inhibitor Targeting Toll-Like Receptors 7 and 9.

The aberrant secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by immune cells is the principal cause of inflammatory diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and TLR9, sequestered to the endosomal compartment of dendritic cells and macrophages, are closely associated with the initiation and progression of these diseases. Therefore, the development of drugs targeting dysregulated endosomal TLRs is imperative to mitigate systemic inflammation.

Alterations in pH of Coffee Bean Extract and Properties of Chlorogenic Acid Based on the Roasting Degree.

Factors influencing the sour taste of coffee and the properties of chlorogenic acid are not yet fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of roasting degree on pH-associated changes in coffee bean extract and the thermal stability of chlorogenic acid. Coffee bean extract pH decreased up to a chromaticity value of 75 but increased with higher chromaticity values.

Surgical outcome of mitral valve surgery in atrial functional mitral regurgitation compared with degenerative etiology.

Objective: To analyze and compare the outcomes of mitral valve surgery for atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) and for degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR).

Methods: Patients with AFMR or DMR who underwent mitral valve repair/replacement at 2 institutions between January 2012 and December 2022 were included. Patients <18 years of age and patients undergoing concomitant cardiac surgery (except for the maze procedure or tricuspid annuloplasty) were excluded.

The miR-30-5p/TIA-1 axis directs cellular senescence by regulating mitochondrial dynamics.

Senescent cells exhibit a diverse spectrum of changes in their morphology, proliferative capacity, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) production, and mitochondrial homeostasis. These cells often manifest with elongated mitochondria, a hallmark of cellular senescence. However, the precise regulatory mechanisms orchestrating this phenomenon remain predominantly unexplored.

The Expression and Amplification of HER2 Has a Significant Impact on the Prognosis of Endometrial Carcinoma in Korean Patients.

: The purpose of this study was to analyze the protein overexpression and gene amplification of HER2 in endometrial carcinoma (EC) and to evaluate its role as a prognostic factor in Korean women. : A tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed from samples from 191 patients with diverse histologic types of EC. HER2 protein expression and gene amplification status were analyzed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and silver in situ hybridization (SISH), respectively.

Outcomes of Concomitant Maze Procedure in Tricuspid Repair for Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Background: We aimed to analyze the impact of concomitant Maze procedure on the clinical and rhythm outcomes, and echocardiographic parameters in tricuspid repair for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Patients who had severe TR and persistent AF and underwent tricuspid valve (TV) repair were included in the study. Both primary TR and secondary TR were included in the current study.

Development of a Machine-Learning-Based Tool for Overnight Orthokeratology Lens Fitting.

Purpose: Orthokeratology (ortho-K) is widely used to control myopia. Overnight ortho-K lens fitting with the selection of appropriate parameters is an important technique for achieving successful reductions in myopic refractive error. In this study, we developed a machine-learning model that could select ortho-K lens parameters at an expert level.