The interplay of psychosis and non-compliance with fatal outcome in an adult with MSUD.

Significant progress has been achieved in enhancing early outcomes for individuals with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), a rare metabolic disorder that leads to the accumulation of branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine, where leucine is known as the primary neurotoxic metabolite. Newborn screening is helpful in early diagnosis and implementation of dietary treatment, thus reducing neurological deterioration and complications in young children. However, patients face the life-long challenge of maintaining metabolic control through adherence to a strict low-leucine diet to avoid long-term consequences of chronic hyperleucinemia, which include cognitive deficits, mood disorders, and movement disorders.

Comparative study of poverty dynamics and income structure: Pre and post COVID-19 impact on households with and without disabilities in South Korea.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, as an external shock, has affected the health and economic well-being of individuals. Vulnerable populations with limited resources have also been affected, exacerbating societal inequalities throughout the pandemic.

Objective: This study examined poverty dynamics in South Korea before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, focusing on changes in the poverty status and income structure of the population with and without disabilities.

Revealing polygenic pleiotropy using genetic risk scores for asthma.

In this study we examined how genetic risk for asthma associates with different features of the disease and with other medical conditions and traits. Using summary statistics from two multi-ancestry genome-wide association studies of asthma, we modeled polygenic risk scores (PRSs) and validated their predictive performance in the UK Biobank. We then performed phenome-wide association studies of the asthma PRSs with 371 heritable traits in the UK Biobank.

Divergent Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Spiroheterocycles through Pd-Catalyzed Enantio- and Diastereoselective [3 + 2] Spiroannulation.

The palladium-catalyzed divergent asymmetric synthesis of chiral spiro-furanindoline derivatives is described. The zwitterionic alkoxy π-allyl Pd(II) intermediate, generated catalytically from vinyl ethylene carbonate (VEC), could undergo ligand-controlled enantio- and diastereoselective dipolar [3 + 2] spiroannulation with indole-based azadienes to afford the optically active spiro-furanindolines embedding an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter in high yields (up to 99%) with good to excellent stereoselectivities (up to 99% ee and up to >94:6 dr).

Effect of Polymer Molecular Mass and Structure on the Mechanical Properties of Polymer-Glass Hybrids.

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials are a promising class of materials for tissue engineering and other biomedical applications. In this systematic study, the effect of the polymer molecular mass (MM) with a linear architecture on hybrid mechanical properties is reported. Well-defined linear poly(methyl methacrylate--(3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate)) polymers with a range of MMs of 9 to 90 kDa and one 90 kDa star-shaped polymer were synthesized and then used to form glass-polymer hybrids.

Reactive microglia and mitochondrial unfolded protein response following ventriculomegaly and behavior defects in kaolin-induced hydrocephalus.

Ventriculomegaly induced by the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leads to hydrocephalus, which is accompanied by neuroinflammation and mitochondrial oxidative stress. The mitochondrial stress activates mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), which is essential for mitochondrial protein homeostasis. However, the association of inflammatory response and UPRmt in the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus is still unclear.

Effects of social prescribing pilot project for the elderly in rural area of South Korea during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Older adults-classified as a high-risk group-are highly likely to experience increased loneliness due to the implementation of various policies designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the effects of a pilot social prescribing project for elderly people in rural area of South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, the effectiveness of the pilot project was verified through pre- and post-impact and outcome evaluation.

Auraptene Enhances Junction Assembly in Cerebrovascular Endothelial Cells by Promoting Resilience to Mitochondrial Stress through Activation of Antioxidant Enzymes and mtUPR.

Junctional proteins in cerebrovascular endothelial cells are essential for maintaining the barrier function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), thus protecting the brain from the infiltration of pathogens. The present study showed that the potential therapeutic natural compound auraptene (AUR) enhances junction assembly in cerebrovascular endothelial cells by inducing antioxidant enzymes and the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mtUPR). Treatment of mouse cerebrovascular endothelial cells with AUR enhanced the expression of junctional proteins, such as occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), by increasing the levels of mRNA encoding antioxidant enzymes.

A comprehensive study of the multiple effects of Y/Al substitution on O3-type NaNiMnFeO with improved cycling stability and rate capability for Na-ion battery applications.

O3-NaNi0.33Mn0.33Fe0.

Schisandra Extract and Ascorbic Acid Synergistically Enhance Cognition in Mice Through Modulation of Mitochondrial Respiration.

Cognitive decline is observed in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. Intracellular energy produced via mitochondrial respiration is used in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and structure, including dendritic spine length and density, as well as for the release of neurotrophic factors involved in learning and memory. To date, a few synthetic agents for improving mitochondrial function have been developed for overcoming cognitive impairment.

PTEN/AKT signaling mediates chemoresistance in refractory acute myeloid leukemia through enhanced glycolysis.

Primary refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and early recurrence of leukemic cells are among the most difficult hurdles to overcome in the treatment of AML. Moreover, uncertainties surrounding the molecular mechanism underlying refractory AML pose a challenge when it comes to developing novel therapeutic drugs. However, accumulating evidence suggests a contribution of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling to the development of refractory AML.

Chloramphenicol Mitigates Oxidative Stress by Inhibiting Translation of Mitochondrial Complex I in Dopaminergic Neurons of Toxin-Induced Parkinson's Disease Model.

Paraquat (PQ), an herbicide considered an environmental contributor to the development of Parkinson's disease (PD), induces dopaminergic neuronal loss through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress by mitochondrial complex I. Most patients with PQ-induced PD are affected by chronic exposure and require a preventive strategy for modulation of disease progression. To identify drugs that are effective in preventing PD, we screened more than 1000 drugs that are currently used in clinics and in studies employing PQ-treated cells.

Auraptene Mitigates Parkinson's Disease-Like Behavior by Protecting Inhibition of Mitochondrial Respiration and Scavenging Reactive Oxygen Species.

Current therapeutics for Parkinson's disease (PD) are only effective in providing relief of symptoms such as rigidity, tremors and bradykinesia, and do not exert disease-modifying effects by directly modulating mitochondrial function. Here, we investigated auraptene (AUR) as a potent therapeutic reagent that specifically protects neurotoxin-induced reduction of mitochondrial respiration and inhibits reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Further, we explored the mechanism and potency of AUR in protecting dopaminergic neurons.

Non-cell autonomous modulation of tyrosine hydroxylase by HMGB1 released from astrocytes in an acute MPTP-induced Parkinsonian mouse model.

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is actively secreted from inflammatory cells and acts via a non-cell-autonomous mechanism to play an important role in mediating cell proliferation and migration. The HMGB1-RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) axis upregulates tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in response to extracellular insults in dopaminergic neurons in vitro, but little is known about HMGB1 in modulation of dopaminergic neurons in vivo. Here, using immunohistochemistry, we show that HMGB1 and RAGE expression are higher in the nigral area of MPTP (methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine)-treated mice, a toxin-induced Parkinsonian mouse model, compared with saline-treated controls.

Na-Conductive NaTiO-Modified P2-type NaNiMnO via a Smart in Situ Coating Approach: Suppressing Na/Vacancy Ordering and P2-O2 Phase Transition.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have shown great superiority for grid-scale storage applications because of their low cost and the abundance of sodium. P2-type NaNiMnO cathode materials have attracted much attention for their high capacities and operating voltages as well as their simple synthesis processes. However, Na/vacancy ordering and the P2-O2 phase transition are unavoidable during Na insertion/extraction, leading to undesired voltage plateaus and deficient battery performances.

L‑Deprenyl exerts cytotoxicity towards acute myeloid leukemia through inhibition of mitochondrial respiration.

The identification of large numbers of genetic mutations in immature myeloid cells has made it difficult to identify specific targets for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy. Although current pharmacological targets for controlling cancer are focused on identifying genetic mutations, it is hard to develop the specific drugs to achieve complete remission due to complex and variable genetic mutations. To overcome the failure of the genetic mutation theory, the present study targeted mitochondrial metabolism as a strategy for inducing anti‑leukemic activity, based on evidence that AML cells have an abnormally high amount of mitochondria and that somatic mutations can alter metabolic flux in cancer.

Advanced fibrosis is not a negative pretreatment predictive factor for genotype 2 or 3 chronic hepatitis C patients.

Background/aims: Chronic hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis have unsatisfactory sustained virological response (SVR) rates. Few data demonstrating the efficacy of combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis in South Korea are available. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the stage of fibrosis impacts the efficacy of combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Liability exposure for surgical robotics instructors.

Surgical robotics instructors provide an essential service in improving the competency of novice gynecologic surgeons learning robotic surgery and advancing surgical skills on behalf of patients. However, despite best intentions, robotics instructors and the gynecologists who use their services expose themselves to liability. The fear of litigation in the event of a surgical complication may reduce the availability and utility of robotics instructors.

Medicolegal review of liability risks for gynecologists stemming from lack of training in robot-assisted surgery.

The advances in robot-assisted surgery in gynecology evolved after most practicing gynecologists had already completed residency training. Postgraduate training in new technology for gynecologists in practice is limited. Therefore, gynecologists with insufficient training who perform robot-assisted surgery may potentially be at risk for liability.

Ethanol modulates GABA(B) receptor expression in cortex and hippocampus of the adult rat brain.

Using in situ hybridization, RNase protection assay and Western blot, we studied the effects of ethanol on the expression levels of GABA(B) receptor mRNA and protein in the cortex and hippocampus from adult rat brain. The results showed that ethanol significantly increased GABA(B1) and GABA(B2) receptor protein expression in the cortex, whereas only GABA(B2) was increased in the hippocampus. GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen could partially reverse the effect of ethanol.