Comparison of clinical characteristics and outcomes in candidaemia patients with and without COVID-19: a multicentre retrospective study.

Background: Invasive fungal infections have been reported as complications with significant mortality and morbidity in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of candidaemia patients with COVID-19 and to investigate the association between COVID-19 and mortality in candidaemia patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included candidaemia patients aged 18 years or older admitted to four university-affiliated tertiary hospitals in South Korea between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022.

Cognitive and neurodegenerative trajectories of subjective cognitive decline according to baseline biomarkers: Results of the CoSCo study.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is now diagnosed biologically. Since subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may indicate preclinical AD, assessing AD-biomarkers is crucial. We investigated cognitive and neurodegenerative trajectories in SCD over 24 months based on biomarker positivity, and evaluated the predictive value of plasma biomarkers.

Associations of socio-demographic, anthropometric and behavioural factors with phase angle in older adults: a cross-sectional study in Taiwan.

Objective: Phase angle (PhA) is a prognostic factor for predicting and monitoring geriatric syndromes. However, multiple factors associated with increased PhA values as an outcome remain unclear in the older population. This study aimed to examine the association of socio-demographic, anthropometric and behavioural factors with PhA among older Taiwanese adults.

Biocatalytic oxyfunctionalization of unsaturated fatty acids to oxygenated chemicals via hydroxy fatty acids.

The selective oxyfunctionalization of unsaturated fatty acids is difficult in chemical reactions, whereas regio- and stereoselective oxyfunctionalization is often performed in biocatalytic synthesis. Fatty acid oxygenases, including hydratases, lipoxygenases, dioxygenases, diol synthases, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, peroxygenases, and 12-hydroxylases, are used to convert C16 and C18 unsaturated fatty acids to diverse regio- and stereoselective mono-, di-, and trihydroxy fatty acids via selective oxyfunctionalization. The formed hydroxy fatty acids or hydroperoxy fatty acids are metabolized to industrially important oxygenated chemicals such as lactones, green leaf volatiles, and bioplastic monomers, including ω-hydroxy fatty acids, α,ω-dicarboxylic acids, and fatty alcohols, by biocatalysts.

Enhancing predictive accuracy for antidepressant response in depressive disorders: The additive value of interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 alongside hsCRP.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the potential additive effects of measuring serum interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) on enhancing the predictive value of baseline serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels for predicting 12-week antidepressant treatment responses in patients with depressive disorders.

Methods: Serum levels of hsCRP, IL-1β, and IL-6 were measured at baseline in 1086 outpatient participants diagnosed with depressive disorders. Participants initially received monotherapy with antidepressants for the first three weeks, followed by a naturalistic, stepwise pharmacotherapy regimen administered every three weeks up to 12 weeks.

Neoadjuvant and adjuvant osimertinib in stage IA-IIIA, EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NORA).

Introduction: Treatment with adjuvant osimertinib for three years is the standard-of-care for resected stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutations. The role of neoadjuvant osimertinib in the perioperative setting is yet to be elucidated in the NeoADAURA study (NCT04351555).

Methods: This is a single center, pilot study of patients with clinical stage IA-IIIA NSCLC (AJCC 8th edition) harboring an activating EGFR mutation (Exon 19 deletion, L858R) (NCT04816838).

Outcomes Comparison of Endovascular and Open Surgical Approaches for Subclavian Arterial Injury: A Nationwide Analysis.

Background: The management of patients with subclavian artery injury is rapidly evolving from an open to an endovascular approach. We aim to present an analysis of management and a comparison of outcomes according to the type of approach used to treat these challenging injuries.

Methods: Adult patients with subclavian arterial injuries were abstracted from the National Inpatient Sample database from 2012 to 2014 and 2016 to 2021.

The gut-brain axis: Unveiling the impact of xenobiotics on neurological health and disorders.

The Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) is a crucial link between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system. Xenobiotics, originating from diverse sources, play a significant role in shaping this interaction. This review examines how these compounds influence neurotransmitter dynamics within the GBA.

Understanding of enhanced nitrate in fine particles at agricultural sites in summer with high ammonia level.

Nitrate is one of the major constituents of fine particles and has not been effectively alleviated in Northeast Asia. Field measurements of various gases and the chemical composition of fine particles were conducted at two agricultural sites (cropland and livestock) in ammonia-rich environments to understand the effect of ammonia on nitric acid-nitrate partitioning using a thermodynamic model and to suggest a possible strategy to control total nitrate (i.e.

Enhancing toxicity prediction for natural products in herbal medicine and dietary supplements: Integrating (Q)STR models and in vitro assays.

New approach methods (NAMs) are required to predict human toxicity effectively, particularly due to limitations in conducting in vivo studies. While NAMs have been established for various industries, such as cosmetics, pesticides, and drugs, their applications in natural products (NPs) are lacking. NPs' complexity (multiple ingredients and structural differences from synthetic compounds) complicates NAM development.

Characterization of fusidic acid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from food animals during 2010-2021 in South Korea.

Livestock-associated fusidic acid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (FRSA) is frequently linked to global public health hazards. This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence and molecular characteristics of FRSA isolated from food animal products in South Korea from 2010 to 2021. We obtained a total of 3980 S.

A spatial triage of at-risk conifer forests to support seed collection efforts and sustainable forestry.

At-risk conifer stands growing in hot, arid conditions at low elevations may contain the most climate change-adapted seeds needed for sustainable forestry. This study used a triage framework to identify high-priority survey areas for Pinus ponderosa (Pipo) within a large region, by intersecting an updated range map with a map of seed zones and elevation bands (SZEBs). The framework assesses place-based climate change and potential wildfire risks by rank-order across 740 potential collection units.

Synergistic two-step inhibition approach using a combination of trametinib and onvansertib in KRAS and TP53-mutated colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Colorectal malignancies associated with KRAS and TP53 mutations led us to investigate the effects of combination therapy targeting KRAS, MEK1, or PLK1 in colorectal cancer. MEK1 is downstream of RAS in the MAPK pathway, whereas PLK1 is a mitotic kinase of the cell cycle activated by MAPK and regulated by p53. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that patients with colorectal cancer had a high expression of MAP2K1 and PLK1.

Machine learning prediction model of the treatment response in schizophrenia reveals the importance of metabolic and subjective characteristics.

Predicting early treatment response in schizophrenia is pivotal for selecting the best therapeutic approach. Utilizing machine learning (ML) technique, we aimed to formulate a model predicting antipsychotic treatment outcomes. Data were obtained from 299 patients with schizophrenia from three multicenter, open-label, non-comparative clinical trials.

Anti-miR21-conjugated DNA nanohydrogel for enhanced cancer therapy.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding, endogenous small single-stranded RNA molecules involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. It has been demonstrated that dysregulation of miRNA plays a major role in tumor formation, proliferation, and metastasis. Therefore, the delivery of anti-miRNA oligonucleotides to block the activity of these oncogenic miRNAs is a high-potential anti-cancer therapy approach.

Synthesis and characterization of turmeric extract-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes: Metabolite profiling and antioxidant activity.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) has gained significant attention for its medicinal properties, yet its therapeutic applications are often limited by low aqueous solubility and susceptibility to environmental factors. This study investigates the formulation of a curcumin-rich turmeric extract-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (TUE-β-CD) to enhance its bioactivity and stability.

Arvimicrobium flavum gen. nov., sp. nov., A Novel Genus in the Family Phyllobacteriaceae Isolated From Forest Soil.

During the study of microbial diversity of forest soil in the Republic of Korea, a yellow pigment-producing, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, motile bacterium was isolated and designated as strain 1W2. This strain grew at temperature of 10-37 °C, at pH of 5.0-9.

Half-Metallic Antiferromagnetic 2D Nonlayered CrSe Nanosheets.

Half-metallic magnetism, characterized by metallic behavior in one spin direction and semiconducting or insulating behavior in the opposite spin direction, is an intriguing and highly useful physical property for advanced spintronics because it allows for the complete realization of 100% spin-polarized current. Particularly, half-metallic antiferromagnetism is recognized as an excellent candidate for the development of highly efficient spintronic devices due to its zero net magnetic moment combined with 100% spin polarization, which results in lower energy losses and eliminates stray magnetic fields compared to half-metallic ferromagnets. However, the synthesis and characterization of half-metallic antiferromagnets have not been reported until now as the theoretically proposed materials require a delicate and challenging approach to fabricate such complex compounds.

Combined effects of and on ameliorating cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in Swiss albino mice.

and are renowned for their medicinal properties and rich antioxidant content. These plants have been integral to Ayurvedic medicine, treating various ailments for centuries. The present study investigated the nephroprotective effects of aqueous methanolic extracts of and in a Cisplatin-induced rodent model.

A and Extract Blend Attenuates Muscle Atrophy by Regulating Protein Metabolism and Antioxidant Activity.

Here, we investigated whether a mixture of and (1:3, KGC01CE) could suppress muscle atrophy in HO-induced C2C12 cells and dexamethasone-injected mice. Our results revealed that KGC01CE effectively safeguarded against HO-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 cells compared with the same mixture at other ratios. We demonstrated that dexamethasone elicited oxidative stress in muscle tissue and decreased the grip strength and cross-sectional areas of muscle fibers; however, oral administration of KGC01CE (1:3) suppressed these dexamethasone-induced changes.

Metabolic Engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum for High-Level Production of 1,5-Pentanediol, a C5 Diol Platform Chemical.

The biobased production of chemicals is essential for advancing a sustainable chemical industry. 1,5-Pentanediol (1,5-PDO), a five-carbon diol with considerable industrial relevance, has shown limited microbial production efficiency until now. This study presents the development and optimization of a microbial system to produce 1,5-PDO from glucose in Corynebacterium glutamicum via the l-lysine-derived pathway.

CFD-Based Determination of Optimal Design and Operating Conditions of a Fermentation Reactor Using Bayesian Optimization.

The efficiency of fermentation reactors is significantly impacted by gas dispersion and concentration distribution, which are influenced by the reactor's design and operating conditions. As the process scales up, optimizing these parameters becomes crucial due to the pronounced concentration gradients that can arise. This study integrates the kinetics of the fermentation process with hydrodynamic analysis using Bayesian optimization to efficiently determine the optimal reactor design and operating conditions.

Prediction of Phenoconversion into Alpha-Synucleinopathy in Patients with isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Using Event-Related Potentials During Visuospatial Attention Tasks.

Study Objectives: Isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is recognized as a prodromal stage of alpha-synucleinopathies. Predicting phenoconversion in iRBD patients remains a key challenge. We aimed to investigate whether event-related potentials (ERPs) recorded during visuospatial attention task can serve as predictors of phenoconversion in iRBD patients.

Therapeutic effect of novel drug candidate, PRG-N-01, on NF2 syndrome-related tumor.

Background: NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN) is associated with multiple benign tumors in the nervous system. NF2-SWN, caused by mutations in the NF2 gene, has developed into intracranial and spinal schwannomas. Because of the high surgical risk and frequent recurrence of multiple tumors, targeted therapy is necessary.