Molecular regulatory effect of the ergot alkaloid methylergometrine on the α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Methylergometrine has widely been used pharmacologically to treat conditions such as pain, addiction, vasoconstriction, migraines, and Parkinson's disease. Despite its side effects, it is used as a therapeutic agent and research material for various diseases based on its natural potential; however, the regulatory effect of its interaction with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) has not yet been investigated. The α3β4 nAChR is an ion channel essential for neurotransmission within the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and autonomic nervous systems.

The effect of platelet-derived growth factor-aa (PDGFA) conjugated with low-molecular-weight protamine (LMWP) on hair loss improvement effect.

Platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGFA) is known to play an important role in hair loss and hair growth by involving in the anagen phase of the hair follicle growth cycle. In this study, we synthesized skin-permeable recombinant low-molecular-weight protamine (LMWP)-conjugated PDGFA (LMWP-PDGFA) by linking LMWP to the N terminus of PDGFA. We evaluated the hair loss improvement effect, wound healing efficacy, and skin permeability of LMWP-PDGFA.

Real-time location of acupuncture points based on anatomical landmarks and pose estimation models.

Introduction: Precise identification of acupuncture points (acupoints) is essential for effective treatment, but manual location by untrained individuals can often lack accuracy and consistency. This study proposes two approaches that use artificial intelligence (AI) specifically computer vision to automatically and accurately identify acupoints on the face and hand in real-time, enhancing both precision and accessibility in acupuncture practices.

Methods: The first approach applies a real-time landmark detection system to locate 38 specific acupoints on the face and hand by translating anatomical landmarks from image data into acupoint coordinates.

Exploring the Characteristics of Gut Microbiota Associated with Depression via the Depression Assessment Scales.

Depression is a prevalent mental disorder with an increasing economic burden, and its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Given the emerging evidence linking gut microbiota to mental health, a better understanding of microbial profiles associated with depression is necessary. Here, we explore the association between gut microbiota and depression by utilizing 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and depression assessment scales, including the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Gremlin-2 is a novel tumor suppressor that negatively regulates ID1 in breast cancer.

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and is closely associated with obesity. Gremlin-2 (GREM2), an antagonist for bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), has been considered an inhibitor of adipogenic differentiation in adipose-derived stromal/stem cells. However, the role of GREM2 in breast cancer cells remains largely unknown, and its signaling mechanism has yet to be clarified.

Melittin - the main component of bee venom: a promising therapeutic agent for neuroprotection through keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activation.

The Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2)/ Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway, known for its significant role in regulating innate antioxidant defense mechanisms, is increasingly being recognized for its potential in neuroprotection studies. Derived from bee venom, melittin's neuroprotective effects have raised interest. This study confirmed that melittin specificity upregulated the weakened Nrf2/HO-1 signaling in mice brain.

Exploring NNMT: from metabolic pathways to therapeutic targets.

Cellular metabolism-related epigenetic modulation plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) serves as a crucial link between cellular metabolism and epigenetics by catalyzing nicotinamide methylation using the universal methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine. This direct connection bridges the methylation-mediated one-carbon metabolism with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels.

Impact of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Basal Metabolic Rate on PTSD, Depression, and Emotional Instability.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the potential associations between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and the basal metabolic rate (BMR) with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and emotional instability (EI) using bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR). Additionally, it sought to identify key molecular mechanisms underlying emotional instability through a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis.

Methods: MR analyses utilizing genome-wide association study (GWAS) data were conducted to estimate the effects of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and the BMR on PTSD, MDD, and EI.

Accurate Acupoint Localization in 2D Hand Images: Evaluating HRNet and ResNet Architectures for Enhanced Detection Performance.

Introduction: This research assesses HRNet and ResNet architectures for their precision in localizing hand acupoints on 2D images, which is integral to automated acupuncture therapy.

Objectives: The primary objective was to advance the accuracy of acupoint detection in traditional Korean medicine through the application of these advanced deep-learning models, aiming to improve treatment efficacy.

Background: Acupoint localization in traditional Korean medicine is crucial for effective treatment, and the study aims to enhance this process using advanced deep-learning models.

Bee Venom Acupuncture for Shoulder Pain: A Literature Review of Clinical Studies.

Managing shoulder pain typically involves the use of acetaminophen or oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but prolonged use of these medications can lead to dependence and various side effects. To overcome the dose dependency and side effects of these conventional drugs, animal venoms have begun to be utilized. Among them, bee venom stands out for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which help relieve pain and treat chronic inflammatory conditions.

The Effects of Warm Acupuncture on the Expression of in High-Fat Diet-Induced MAFLD Rats.

This study investigated the effects of acupuncture and warm acupuncture on the expression and mechanism of the AMP-activated protein kinase () signalling pathway associated with lipid accumulation in the liver tissue of rats with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet. Sprague-Dawley rats were categorised into four groups: control (CON), untreated MAFLD (MAFLD), and two MAFLD groups treated with acupuncture (ACU) and warm acupuncture (WA). The treatment groups underwent 16 application sessions over 8 weeks at the SP9 and BL18 acupoints.

Oleic acid attenuates asthma pathogenesis via Th1/Th2 immune cell modulation, TLR3/4-NF-κB-related inflammation suppression, and intrinsic apoptotic pathway induction.

WHO reported that asthma was responsible for 455,000 deaths in 2019 and asthma patients was evaluated 262 million in May 2023. The incidence is expected to increase as the average life expectancy increases, highlighting asthma as a significant health challenge in an aging society. The etiology of asthma is linked to an imbalance of Th1 and Th2 cells, respiratory inflammation, and pulmonary cell proliferation.

Educational needs for virtual reality-based simulation training in the nursing care of adult respiratory patients: an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study.

Background: We aimed to ascertain the current state of and needs for virtual reality (VR)-based simulation training in the care of adult respiratory patients. Learning to care for patients with infectious respiratory disease is crucial in nurses' practical education. Thus, studies on the state of VR-based simulation-training are required.

The impact of high-intensity interval training on women's health: A bibliometric and visualization analysis.

Background: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can significantly improve health indicators such as cardiopulmonary function, metabolic efficiency, and muscle strength in a short period. However, due to significant physiological and metabolic differences between males and females, the effects of HIIT vary between genders. Therefore, exploring the specific impacts of HIIT on women's health is crucial.

Therapeutic effect and molecular mechanism of the ultra-low molecule compound K on multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematologic cancer that originates from plasma cells and occurs primarily in patients over 60. The prognosis of MM has improved after the introduction of new treatments, such as thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide. However, in recurrent and refractory MM patients, factors such as age and drug toxicity are important when choosing treatment options.

Causal effects of gut microbiota, metabolites, immune cells, liposomes, and inflammatory proteins on anorexia nervosa: A mediation joint multi-omics Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a significant psychological disorder influenced by environmental and genetic elements. Emerging research highlights the pivotal role of the gut microbiome in the development of diverse mental health conditions. This study aims to explore the causal effects and interactions of the gut microbiome, metabolites, immune cells, lipids, and inflammatory proteins on the risk of anorexia nervosa through mediation and multi-omics Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis.

An inducible sphingosine kinase 1 in hepatic stellate cells potentiates liver fibrosis.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a role in hepatic fibrosis and sphingosine kinase (SphK) is involved in biological processes. As studies on the regulatory mechanisms and functions of SphK in HSCs during liver fibrosis are currently limited, this study aimed to elucidate the regulatory mechanism and connected pathways of SphK upon HSC activation. The expression of SphK1 was higher in HSCs than in hepatocytes, and upregulated in activated primary HSCs.

Protective Effects of 7S,15R-Dihydroxy-16S,17S-Epoxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid (diHEP-DPA) against Blue Light-Induced Retinal Damages in A2E-Laden ARPE-19 Cells.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of 7S,15R-dihydroxy-16S,17S-epoxy-docosapentaenoic acid (diHEP-DPA) in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell damage. ARPE-19 cells, a human RPE cell line, were cultured with diHEP-DPA and Bis-retinoid N-retinyl-N-retinylidene ethanolamine (A2E), followed by exposure to BL. Cell viability and cell death rates were determined.