The effect of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in schizophrenia patients with sleep Disturbance: A non-randomized, assessor-blind trial.

This non-randomized, assessor blind study evaluated the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) delivered in a group format on insomnia symptoms as well as psychotic, depressive, and anxiety symptoms in schizophrenia patients (n = 63) recruited from residential or rehabilitative facilities in Seoul, South Korea. Thirty-one patients received four sessions of CBT-I in groups of 2-9 patients in addition to usual care, while the control group (n = 32) received no additional intervention. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale (PSYRATS), Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered at baseline, week 4, and week 8.

Identification of Novel Mutation in CNGA3 gene by Whole-Exome Sequencing and In-Silico Analyses for Genotype-Phenotype Assessment with Autosomal Recessive Achromatopsia in Pakistani families.

Objective: To identify the underlying genetic anomalies in two consanguineous Pakistani families with autosomal recessive achromatopsia.

Methods: The exploratory study was conducted under the patronage of International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and Sungshin Women University, Seoul, South Korea, after two families coded PKCN-02 and PKCN-07 belonging to different ethnic groups were recruited from different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province of Pakistan in July 2016. The families were originally diagnosed with nystagmus upon medical examination.

Benproperine, an ARPC2 inhibitor, suppresses cancer cell migration and tumor metastasis.

Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer mortality and cancer cell migration is an essential stage of metastasis. We identified benproperine (Benp, a clinically used antitussive drug) as an inhibitor of cancer cell migration and an anti-metastatic agent. Benp selectively inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion, which also suppressed metastasis of cancer cells in animal models.

Retrograde parotidectomy under local anesthesia for benign, malignant, and inflammatory lesions.

Objective: To report the patient selection, surgical technique, and outcomes of parotidectomy using local anesthesia under monitored anesthesia care (MAC).

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients undergoing parotidectomy under local anesthesia at an academic head and neck surgery center.

Results: Six patients deemed high risk for general anesthesia (GA) due to medical comorbidities or with a strong preference to avoid GA underwent parotidectomy using local anesthesia and MAC.

Assessment of Hepatic Cytochrome P450 3A Activity Using Metabolic Markers in Patients with Renal Impairment.

Background: The renal function of individuals is one of the reasons for the variations in therapeutic response to various drugs. Patients with renal impairment are often exposed to drug toxicity, even with drugs that are usually eliminated by hepatic metabolism. Previous study has reported an increased plasma concentration of indoxyl sulfate and decreased plasma concentration of 4β-hydroxy (OH)-cholesterol in stable kidney transplant recipients, implicating indoxyl sulfate as a cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibiting factor.

Prefoldin 6 mediates longevity response from heat shock factor 1 to FOXO in .

Heat shock factor 1 (HSF-1) and forkhead box O (FOXO) are key transcription factors that protect cells from various stresses. In , HSF-1 and FOXO together promote a long life span when insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) is reduced. However, it remains poorly understood how HSF-1 and FOXO cooperate to confer IIS-mediated longevity.

Optofluidic Modular Blocks for On-Demand and Open-Source Prototyping of Microfluidic Systems.

Rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices has advanced greatly, along with the development of 3D printing and micromachining technologies. However, peripheral systems for microfluidics still rely on conventional equipment, such as bench-top microscopy and syringe pumps, which limit system modification and further improvements. Herein, optofluidic modular blocks are presented as discrete elements to modularize peripheral optical and fluidic systems and are used for on-demand and open-source prototyping of whole microfluidic systems.

2'-Hydroxycinnamaldehyde inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis via signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 inactivation and reactive oxygen species generation.

Inhibition of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway is a novel therapeutic strategy to treat human cancers with constitutively active STAT3. During the screening of natural products to find STAT3 inhibitors, we identified 2'-hydroxycinnamaldehyde (HCA) as a STAT3 inhibitor, which was isolated from the stem bark of Cinnamomum cassia. In this study, we found that HCA inhibited constitutive and inducible STAT3 activation in STAT3-activated DU145 prostate cancer cells.

Cost-effectiveness of financial incentives and disincentives for improving food purchases and health through the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): A microsimulation study.

Background: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides approximately US$70 billion annually to support food purchases by low-income households, supporting approximately 1 in 7 Americans. In the 2018 Farm Bill, potential SNAP revisions to improve diets and health could include financial incentives, disincentives, or restrictions for certain foods. However, the overall and comparative impacts on health outcomes and costs are not established.

Effects of processed red meat consumption on the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases among Korean adults: the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

Purpose: Few studies have evaluated the effects of processed red meat (PRM) consumption on chronic disease risk, especially among low average PRM consumption populations. This study examined association between PRM intake and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidences in Korea.

Methods: Participants (n = 10,030; aged 40-69 years) were recruited from the Ansan-Ansung cohort study, a subset of Korean Genome Epidemiology Study.

Piperlongumine derivative, CG-06, inhibits STAT3 activity by direct binding to STAT3 and regulating the reactive oxygen species in DU145 prostate carcinoma cells.

Piperlongumine (PL), isolated from Piper longum L., is receiving intense interest due to its selectively ability to kill cancer cells but not normal cells. We synthesized a number of analogues by replacing the cyclic amide of PL with aliphatic amides to explore structural diversity.

Assessment of induced CYP3A activity in pregnant women using 4β-hydroxycholesterol: Cholesterol ratio as an appropriate metabolic marker.

Aims: This study was aimed at evaluating changes in CYP3A activity following and during pregnancy by analyzing metabolic markers for CYP3A activity, which can help avoid unnecessary drug exposure and invasive sampling.

Methods: Forty-eight pregnant women and 25 non-pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Plasma and urine samples were collected from the pregnant women during each trimester and from the non-pregnant women for evaluation of metabolic markers for CYP3A activity.

KRIBB53 binds to OCT4 and enhances its degradation through the proteasome, causing apoptotic cell death of OCT4-positive testicular germ cell tumors.

We hypothesized that octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) inhibition would have therapeutic benefits in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT). To identify inhibitors of OCT4, a chemical library was screened using a luciferase reporter system under the control of an OCT4 response element. A compound named KRIBB53 was identified based on its blocking of OCT4-dependent luciferase activation.

On-Chip Cell Staining and Counting Platform for the Rapid Detection of Blood Cells in Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Counting blood cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is indispensable for diagnosing several pathological conditions in the central nervous system, such as meningitis, even though collecting CSF samples is invasive. Cell counting methods, such as hemocytometer chambers and flow cytometers, have been used for CSF cell counting, but they often lack the sensitivity to detect low blood cell numbers. They also depend on off-chip, manual sample preparation or require bulky, costly equipment, thereby limiting their clinical utility.

Jaw Opening Decreases Window to the Deep Parotid Lobe.

To describe the relationship between jaw opening and access to the deep parotid window, we identified the following distances in 10 human skulls: symphysis to angle of mandible, mastoid tip to angle of mandible, angle of mandible to condylar process, and mastoid tip to condylar process. With the jaw closed and open, these distances were measured with 1 to 3 wooden blocks, each measuring 1 cm, between the upper and lower incisors. The triangular deep parotid area formed by the last 3 distances was calculated.

Behavioral Intervention in Adolescents Improves Bone Mass, Yet Lactose Maldigestion Is a Barrier.

Calcium intake during adolescence is important for attainment of peak bone mass. Lactose maldigestion is an autosomal recessive trait, leading to lower calcium intake. The Adequate Calcium Today study aimed to determine if a school-based targeted behavioral intervention over one year could improve calcium intake and bone mass in early adolescent girls.

Rationally Designed, Multifunctional Self-Assembled Nanoparticles for Covalently Networked, Flexible and Self-Healable Superhydrophobic Composite Films.

For constructing bioinspired functional films with various superhydrophobic functions, including self-cleaning, anticorrosion, antibioadhesion, and oil-water separation, hydrophobic nanomaterials have been widely used as crucial structural components. In general, hydrophobic nanomaterials, however, cannot form strong chemical bond networks in organic-inorganic hybrid composite films because of the absence of chemically compatible binding components. Herein, we report the rationally designed, multifunctional self-assembled nanoparticles with tunable functionalities of covalent cross-linking and hydrophobicity for constructing three-dimensionally interconnected superhydrophobic composite films via a facile solution-based fabrication at room temperature.

Methyllucidone inhibits STAT3 activity by regulating the expression of the protein tyrosine phosphatase MEG2 in DU145 prostate carcinoma cells.

During the search for signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitors from natural products, methyllucidone, isolated from Lindera species (Lauraceae), was identified as a STAT3 inhibitor. Methyllucidone inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation at tyrosine 705 in a dose- and time dependent manner in DU145 prostate cancer cells and suppressed IL-6-induced STAT3 phosphorylation at Tyr-705 in LNCaP cells. Methyllucidone decreased the expression levels of STAT3 target genes, such as cyclin D1, cyclin A, Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and survivin.

Feasibility of using a bacteriophage-based structural color sensor for screening the geographical origins of agricultural products.

An M13 bacteriophage-based color sensor, which can change its structural color upon interaction with a gaseous molecule, was evaluated as a screening tool for the discrimination of the geographical origins of three different agricultural products (garlic, onion, and perilla). Exposure of the color sensor to sample odors induced the self-assembled M13 bacteriophage bundles to swell by the interaction of amino acid residues (repeating units of four glutamates) on the bacteriophage with the odor components, resulting in a change in the structural color of the sensor. When the sensor was exposed to the odors of garlic and onion samples, the RGB color changes were considerable because of the strong interactions of the odor components such as disulfides with the glutamate residues on the sensor.

Western Blot Analysis of C. elegans Proteins.

C. elegans has been widely used as a model organism for basic biological research and is particularly amenable for molecular genetic studies using a broad repertoire of techniques. Biochemical approaches, including Western blot analysis, have emerged as a powerful tool in C.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Use among Korean Adults: Baseline Data from the Trace Element Study of Korean Adults in Yeungnam Area.

Although dietary supplement use is believed to improve health status, the efficacy and safety of its use remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements (VMS) to the total micronutrient intake. Study participants ( = 586) were selected from the ongoing prospective cohort study of the Korean population, and baseline information on current use of dietary supplements, types of supplements, frequency of use, dosage, duration, and brand name was collected.

RNAi targeting α-arrestins has little effect on lifespan.

α-arrestins are a family of proteins that are implicated in multiple biological processes, including metabolism and receptor desensitization. Here, we sought to examine the roles of α-arrestins in the longevity of through an RNA interference screen. We found that feeding worms with bacteria expressing double-stranded RNA against each of 24 out of total 29 α-arrestins had little effect on lifespan.

Eating patterns of children's favorite foods and its related factors among elementary, middle, and high school students in Korea.

Background/objectives: There are limited studies investigating the eating patterns of children's favorite foods. The present study aimed to evaluate a wide range of children's favorite foods, derive its eating patterns, and identify factors related to the patterns.

Subjects/methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study included 5,458 students in elementary, middle, and high schools.

Rapid changes in peripheral lymphocyte concentrations during interferon-free treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Unlabelled: Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection with direct acting antivirals results in a rapid decline in viral load and markers of hepatic inflammation, including serum CXCL10 concentration, which is followed in most cases by a sustained virologic response. Whether parallel changes of significance occur in the cellular composition of peripheral blood is relatively unknown. We hypothesized that longitudinal characterization of peripheral blood during treatment would provide insight into cellular migration and immune activation, which would have implications for understanding host immunity both before and after HCV treatment and may relate to HCV clearance.