Bakuchiol from and its efficacy on apoptosis and autophagy in HepG2 cells.

Bakuchiol (), a component of , has been reported to have estrogenic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Nonetheless, its anticancer mechanisms and effectiveness against hepatocellular carcinoma remain unexplored. This study sought to elucidate the mechanism of apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest caused by bakuchiol () and three flavonoids (-) with similar structures to compound in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Blood Transfusion Utilization in Patients with Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 in the Republic of Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected both supply and demand for blood transfusion. This study aimed to investigate the prescription patterns of blood products and identify the risk factors for blood transfusion in patients with severe COVID-19. : This nationwide population-based cohort study was performed in the Republic of Korea between January 2021 and December 2021.

Shiga Toxins Produced by Enterohaemorrhagic Induce Inflammation in Toxin-Sensitive Cells through the p38 MAPK/MK2/Tristetraprolin Signaling Pathway.

Shiga toxins (Stxs), produced by serotype 1 and certain pathotypes, cause hemorrhagic colitis, which can progress to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and central nervous system (CNS) pathology. The underlying mechanisms of toxin-induced inflammation remain unclear. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and its downstream target, MAPKAPK2 (MK2), play key roles in various cellular responses.

Association Between Frequency of Away-From-Home Meals and Prevalence of Inflammatory Sinonasal Diseases: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, people had to stay at home due to quarantine, and the food delivery industry grew significantly. Concerns have been raised regarding the popularity of away-from-home (AFH) meals and their impact on health. In this study, we evaluated the association between the frequency of AFH meals and the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

An alternative route for β-hydroxybutyrate metabolism supports fatty acid synthesis in cancer cells.

Cancer cells are exposed to diverse metabolites in the tumor microenvironment that are used to support the synthesis of nucleotides, amino acids, and lipids needed for rapid cell proliferation. Recent work has shown that ketone bodies such as β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB), which are elevated in circulation under fasting conditions or low glycemic diets, can serve as an alternative fuel that is metabolized in the mitochondria to provide acetyl-CoA for the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in some tumors. Here, we discover a non-canonical route for β-OHB metabolism, in which β-OHB can bypass the TCA cycle to generate cytosolic acetyl-CoA for fatty acid synthesis in cancer cells.

Combining 2'-fucosyllactose and galacto-oligosaccharides exerts anti-inflammatory effects and promotes gut health.

This study investigated the potential of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) combinations as a novel and cost-effective substitute for human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) in promoting gut health and reducing inflammation. In vitro studies using caco-2 cells showed that 2'-FL and GOS combinations (H1 = GOS:2'-FL ratio of 1.8:1; H2 = GOS:2'-FL ratio of 3.

Association of Handgrip Strength and Nutritional Status in Non-Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: Results from the KNOW-CKD Study.

Handgrip strength (HGS) is suggested as an indirect assessment of nutritional status in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, but evidence is limited for non-dialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD) patients. This cross-sectional study included 404 patients from the Phase II KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcome in Patients With CKD. HGS, measured twice in each hand, was the exposure, and malnutrition status was defined by a malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS) of 6 or higher.

Hospitalization among adults with chronic kidney disease: results from the KoreaN cohort study for Outcomes in patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (KNOW-CKD) study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are hospitalized for various conditions. Hospitalization increases the readmission rate and mortality rate, seriously deteriorating patients' quality of life. Consequently, it is crucial to analyze the reasons for hospitalization in CKD patients from a broader perspective according to CKD grade.

One-step detection of procollagen type III N-terminal peptide as a fibrosis biomarker using fluorescent immunosensor (quenchbody).

Background: Procollagen type III N-terminal peptide (P-III-NP) is a fibrosis biomarker associated with liver and cardiac fibrosis. Despite the value of P-III-NP as a biomarker, its analysis currently relies on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and radioimmunoassays (RIA), which require more than 3 h. To facilitate early diagnosis and treatment through rapid biomarker testing, we developed a one-step immunoassay for P-III-NP using a quenchbody, which is a fluorescence-labeled immunosensor for immediate signal generation.

KL-Biome (Postbiotic Formulation of KM2) Improves Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy in Mice.

Sarcopenia refers to an age-related decrease in muscle mass and strength. The gut-muscle axis has been proposed as a promising target to alleviate muscle atrophy. The effect of KL-Biome-a postbiotic preparation comprising heat-killed KM-2, its metabolites, and an excipient (soybean powder)-on muscle atrophy was evaluated using dexamethasone (DEX)-induced atrophic C2C12 myoblasts and C57BL/6J mice.

Anatomical assessments of injectate spread stratified by the volume of the intertransverse process block at the T2 level.

Background: This cadaveric study aimed to analyze injectate spread to target nerves during a single-injection, ultrasound-guided intertransverse process block.

Methods: An ultrasound-guided intertransverse process block with three different injectate volumes was administered to 12 cadavers. Each hemithorax was subjected to computer-generated random allocation of 10, 15, or 20 mL ultrasound-guided, single-injection intertransverse process block at the T2 vertebral level.

LM1001 Improves Digestibility of Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Whey Proteins and Promotes Myogenesis in C2C12 Myotubes.

is a valuable potential probiotic species with various proven health-beneficial effects. LM1001 strain was selected among ten strains of based on proteolytic activity on whey proteins. LM1001 produced higher concentrations of total free amino acids and branched-chain amino acids (Ile, Leu, and Val) than other strains.

Clinical Outcomes of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in South Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: We aimed to compare the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH) with those in people living without HIV (PLWoH).

Methods: This nationwide descriptive epidemiological study was conducted in South Korea between January 2020 and February 2022. The National Health Insurance claim data, comprising the data of the entire Korean population, were collected through the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.

Nanoscale-Confined Synthesis of 2D Metal Compounds for Electrochemical Applications.

2D metal compounds, such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), layered double hydroxides (LDHs), and MXenes, are emerging as important electrocatalyst materials in the transition to a sustainable energy future. Aided by their high surface area, electrical conductivity, and tunable electronic properties, these materials have provided a crucial research thrust in enhancing the efficiency of green hydrogen production, fuel cells, and carbon reduction processes. Most importantly, the synthesis of nanostructured 2D compounds, while challenging, is the key to optimizing their catalytic performance.

Effect of air temperature on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations: A single institutional large-scale study in Korea.

Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide health issue especially in women. Serum vitamin D concentrations vary depending on the weather. However, the ideal vitamin D supplementation strategy related to weather remains uncertain.

A New Equation to Estimate Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Length.

: Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement plays an important role in clinical practice. This study aimed to provide an equation for the proper estimation of catheter length in cases of PICC placement without imaging guidance in relation to patient height, weight, sex, and age. : For 1137 PICC placement cases in both arm veins of 954 patients at a single center, the elbow crease to the cavoatrial junction length (ECL) was calculated as follows: ECL = (PICC length) + (distance from the elbow crease to the puncture site).

Fc-fused IL-7 provides broad antiviral effects against respiratory virus infections through IL-17A-producing pulmonary innate-like T cells.

Repeated pandemics caused by the influenza virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) have resulted in serious problems in global public health, emphasizing the need for broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics against respiratory virus infections. Here, we show the protective effects of long-acting recombinant human interleukin-7 fused with hybrid Fc (rhIL-7-hyFc) against major respiratory viruses, including influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, and respiratory syncytial virus. Administration of rhIL-7-hyFc in a therapeutic or prophylactic regimen induces substantial antiviral effects.

False-positive supraclavicular lymph node detected on chest computed tomography in oncology patients: Clinical implication based on subsequent neck ultrasonography and ultrasonography-guided tissue sampling.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and clinical implications of false-positive supraclavicular lymph node (LN) detected on chest computed tomography (CT), using subsequent neck ultrasonography (US) and US-guided tissue sampling.

Methods: Among 172 patients with suspected supraclavicular LNs identified on CT, 87 underwent neck US or US-guided tissue sampling. Receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the diagnostic performance of US and independent predictors of false-positive LNs.

Influence of shift work on periodontitis according to the occupation group.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of shift work on periodontal disease in blue-and white-collar workers and to examine the interaction effects between occupation and work patterns. Data were collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare for a total of nine years from 2007 to 2015. Participants with missing outcome variables were excluded from the analysis and a total of 32,336 participants were included in the final analysis.

Periodontitis of maxillary teeth screened by community periodontal index is associated with chronic rhinosinusitis defined by EPOS 2020 guideline.

We aimed to evaluate the association between periodontitis in the upper jaw and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) using the nationwide Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. In this cross-sectional study, data of KNHANES participants enrolled between 2008 and 2012 were reviewed. Periodontitis of the upper teeth was diagnosed by dentists according to the community periodontal index with standardized methods.

Salvage of failed direct lateral sacroiliac joint fixation using a new percutaneous lateral-oblique transfixation technique with two variable-threaded screws: a multicenter case report of three cases.

Background: The direct lateral trans-gluteal muscle splitting transiliac approach was popularized to fixate the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) using three cannulated triangular titanium implants (TTIs) wedges. Publications support efficacy of the direct lateral approach but a paucity of literature to help surgeons revise these implants when they fail. Intuitively the implants can be removed but require an open incision and dissection through the gluteal muscles and scar tissue which can lead to muscle and neurovascular injuries.