RSV Vaccine with Nanoparticle-Based Poly-Sorbitol Transporter (PST) Adjuvant Improves Respiratory Protection Against RSV Through Inducing Both Systemic and Mucosal Humoral Immunity.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes symptoms similar to a mild cold for adults, but in case of infants, it causes bronchitis and/or pneumonia, and in some cases, mortality. Mucosal immunity within the respiratory tract includes tissue-resident memory T (T) cells and tissue-resident memory B (B) cells, which provides rapid and efficient protection against RSV re-infection. Therefore, vaccine strategies should aim to generate mucosal immune responses.

Combinatorial Treatment with Praziquantel and Curcumin Reduces Parasite Burden and Clonorchiasis-Associated Pathologies in Rats.

: Clonorchiasis is a foodborne parasitic disease that can lead to severe biliary fibrosis and cholangiocarcinoma. While praziquantel (PZQ) is available for clonorchiasis treatment, it cannot revert the histopathological damage incurred through parasite-induced fibrosis. Curcumin (CUR) is an emerging experimental drug possessing anti-inflammatory and fibrosis-alleviating effects, thus signifying its potential as an anthelmintic drug.

Etching Chemistry Process Optimization of Ethylene Diluted with Helium (CH/He) in Interconnect Integration.

This study explores the effects of different passivation gases on the properties of polymers formed on aluminum (Al) sidewalls during the etching process in Al-based interconnect structures. The research compares the use of nitrogen (N) and ethylene diluted with helium (CH/He) as passivation gases, focusing on the resulting polymer's composition, thickness, and strength, as well as the levels of residual chlorine post-etch. The findings reveal that using CH leads to the formation of a thinner, weaker polymer with lower chlorine residue compared to the thicker, stronger polymer formed with N.

In Situ Pre-Metallization Cleaning of CoSi Contact-Hole Patterns with Optimized Etching Process.

We examined how controlling variables in a pre-metallization Ar sputter-etching process for in situ contact-hole cleaning affects the contact-hole profile, etching rate, and substrate damage. By adjusting process parameters, we confirmed that increasing plasma power lowered the DC bias but enhanced the etching rate of SiO, while increasing RF power raised both, with RF power having a more pronounced effect. Higher Ar flow rate reduced etching uniformity and slightly lowered the DC bias.

Correction: Hong et al. Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Licochalcone A through ROS-Mediated Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Human Bladder Cancer Cells. 2019, , 3820.

In the original publication [...

The Interplay Between Muscular Activity and Pattern Recognition of Electro-Stimulated Haptic Cues During Normal Walking: A Pilot Study.

This pilot study explored how muscle activation influences the pattern recognition of tactile cues delivered using electrical stimulation (ES) during each 10% window interval of the normal walking gait cycle (GC). Three healthy adults participated in the experiment. After identifying the appropriate threshold, ES as the haptic cue was applied to the gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and biceps brachii (BB) of participants walking on a treadmill.

The Potential Causal Association of Apolipoprotein A and B and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Mendelian Randomisation Study.

Background/objectives: Research has suggested a potential relationship between apolipoproteins A (ApoA) and B (ApoB) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study explored the potential causal relationship between ApoA/ApoB levels and AMD/AMD subtypes using two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR).

Methods: We selected 308 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for ApoA and 198 SNPs for ApoB from the UK Biobank data.

Safety Profile of Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery Compared to Conventional Microscopic Approach: A Pooled Analysis of 2 Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: To compare the safety profiles of biportal endoscopic spinal surgery (BESS) and microscopic spinal surgery (MSS) for lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis by analyzing the associated adverse events.

Methods: We pooled data from 2 prospective randomized controlled trials involving 220 patients (110 in each group) who underwent single-level lumbar surgery. Participants aged 20-80 years with radiating pain due to lumbar disc herniation or spinal stenosis were included in this study.

Steroid sulfatase suppresses keratinization by inducing proteasomal degradation of E-cadherin via Hakai regulation.

X-linked ichthyosis (XLI) is a genetic disorder characterized by a steroid sulfatase (STS) deficiency inducing excessive cholesterol sulfate accumulation and keratinization. Our study utilizes STS knockout mice to reproduce the hyperkeratinization typical of XLI, providing a valuable model for investigating the underlying mechanisms. From the experiment of STS-deficient keratinocytes using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we observed upregulation of E-cadherin, which is associated with keratinocyte differentiation and stratification.

Efficacy and Safety of Silodosin for the Treatment of Female LUTS: A 12-Week Prospective, Single-Center Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of silodosin in female patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs), addressing the limited evidence supporting alpha-blocker use in this population.

Methods: A 12-week, single-arm, prospective, open-label study was conducted from May 2021 to January 2023. Female patients aged over 18 with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥ 8 were enrolled and treated with silodosin (8 mg once daily).

Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number as a Potential Biomarker for the Severity of Motor Symptoms and Prognosis in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Mitochondrial function influences Parkinson's disease (PD) through the accumulation of pathogenic alpha-synuclein, oxidative stress, impaired autophagy, and neuroinflammation. The mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN), representing the number of mitochondrial DNA copies within a cell, serves as an easily assessable proxy for mitochondrial function.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of mtDNA-CN in PD.

Unveiling the Diverse Principles for Developing Sprayable Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications.

Sprayable hydrogels have emerged as a transformative innovation in biomedical technology, offering a versatile, efficient, and minimally invasive platform for various clinical applications. They form gels upon tissue contact, enabling seamless application on even complex surfaces. This property is especially useful in wound care, drug delivery, and tissue engineering, where localized and sustained release of therapeutics is essential.

Physicochemical properties of surimi made from edible insects using washing and pH shift methods.

Edible insects, characterized by their eco-friendly nature and high nutrient value, are promising protein sources. Therefore, we aimed to assess the suitability of insects as source ingredients for surimi, a widely-used, intermediate food material. Mealworm ( L.

Unraveling metabolic signatures in SARS-CoV-2 variant infections using multiomics analysis.

Introduction: The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, notably delta and omicron, has significantly accelerated the global pandemic, worsening conditions worldwide. However, there is a lack of research concerning the molecular mechanisms related to immune responses and metabolism induced by these variants.

Methods: Here, metabolomics combined with transcriptomics was performed to elucidate the immunometabolic changes in the lung of hamsters infected with delta and omicron variants.

Simultaneous utilization of CO and potassium-rich biomass for the environmentally friendly production of potassium formate.

The C chemical species, potassium formate (K(HCO)), known as a two-electron reducing agent, finds application in the synthesis of multi-carbon compounds, including oxalate, and plays a crucial role not only in the food and pharmaceutical industries but also across various sectors. However, the direct hydrogenation of CO to produce K(HCO) remains a challenge. Addressing this issue, efficient production of K(HCO) is achieved by integrating CO hydrogenation in a trickle-bed reactor using a heterogeneous catalyst with a novel separation method that utilizes potassium ions from biomass ash for formic acid derivative product isolation.

Contact-Engineered Oxide Memtransistors for Homeostasis-Based High-Linearity and Precision Neuromorphic Computing.

Homeostasis is essential in biological neural networks, optimizing information processing and experience-dependent learning by maintaining the balance of neuronal activity. However, conventional two-terminal memristors have limitations in implementing homeostatic functions due to the absence of global regulation ability. Here, three-terminal oxide memtransistor-based homeostatic synapses are demonstrated to perform highly linear synaptic weight update and enhanced accuracy in neuromorphic computing.

Evaluation of the Safety and Impact of Heat-Treated KM2 Fermentation on Gut Microbiome Architecture.

Postbiotics, bioactive compounds from the fermentation process by probiotics, are gaining attention for their potential health benefits as safer alternatives to live probiotic microbes. is a well-studied probiotic species known for promoting gut health and immune modulation. However, the safety and effects of its postbiotic formulations on the gut microbiome structure remain less explored.

Study Protocol of the Korean EGFR Registry: A Multicenter Prospective and Retrospective Cohort Study in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Patients With EGFR Mutation.

Introduction: The provision of treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients has increased in Korea. However, multicenter studies on the clinicopathologic dataset and treatment outcomes, using a large-scale dataset, have not been conducted. The current study is a prospective and retrospective multicenter observational cohort study that registers all stages of EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients.

LC-MS/MS analysis of surface and lysate N-glycans of CHO-K1 cells: Structure, relative quantity, and absolute quantity.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells are widely used in biomedical research relevant to cancer, toxicity screening, and viruses, as well as in the production of recombinant proteins for biopharmaceuticals. In this study, liquid chromatography (LC)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-higher energy collisional dissociation (HCD)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used to characterize the surface and lysate N-glycans of CHO-K1 cells and analyze their structures. The relative quantity (%) of each N-glycan and absolute quantity (pmol) of total N-glycans were also obtained.

Midterm Functional Outcomes After Retear of an Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Propensity Score-Matched Comparative Study.

Background: Studies are still limited on the isolated effect of retear after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) on functional outcomes after the midterm period.

Purpose: To assess the effect of retear at midterm follow-up after ARCR and to identify factors associated with the need for revision surgery.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

12-year cumulative incidence rate of rare retinal diseases: a nationwide study in Korea.

Purpose: Understanding the incidence of rare diseases is important in establishing a proper public health care system and setting target diseases in medical research. Herein, we report the 12-year cumulative incidence of seven rare ocular diseases of the retina in South Korea.

Methods: We analysed clinical records of 1,126,250 South Korean population during 2006~2019.

Susceptibility map-weighted MRI can distinguish tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease from essential tremor.

Distinguishing between Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET) can be challenging sometimes. Although positron emission tomography can confirm PD diagnosis, its application is limited by high cost and exposure to radioactive isotopes. Patients with PD exhibit loss of the dorsal nigral hyperintensity on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Association between calcium channel blocker use and the risk of interstitial lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A longitudinal cohort study.

Introduction: Ca2+ signaling in fibroblasts would be one of the important mediators of lung fibrosis. This study investigated the relationship between calcium channel blocker usage and the risk of developing interstitial lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Material And Methods: This cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Screening Cohort spanned from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2015.

Multiple sphingolipid-metabolizing enzymes modulate influenza virus replication.

The sphingolipid network is sustained principally by the balance of bioactive sphingolipid molecules and their regulation by sphingolipid-metabolizing enzymes. The components in the lipid system display key functions in numerous cellular and disease conditions including virus infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a fruitful effort to use an inhibitor that blocks the activity of sphingosine kinase (SphK) 2 to cure the devastating disease.