EBP1 potentiates amyloid β pathology by regulating γ-secretase.

The abnormal deposition of amyloid β (Aβ), produced by proteolytic cleavage events of amyloid precursor protein involving the protease γ-secretase and subsequent polymerization into amyloid plaques, plays a key role in the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we show that ErbB3 binding protein 1 (EBP1)/proliferation-associated 2G4 (PA2G4) interacts with presenilin, a catalytic subunit of γ-secretase, inhibiting Aβ production. Mice lacking forebrain Ebp1/Pa2g4 recapitulate the representative phenotypes of late-onset sporadic AD, displaying an age-dependent increase in Aβ deposition, amyloid plaques and cognitive dysfunction.

Deciphering risk factors for severe postherpetic neuralgia in patients with herpes zoster: an interpretable machine learning approach.

Introduction: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common complication of herpes zoster (HZ). This study aimed to use a large real-world electronic medical records database to determine the optimal machine learning model for predicting the progression to severe PHN and to identify the associated risk factors.

Methods: We analyzed the electronic medical records of 23,326 patients diagnosed with HZ from January 2010 to June 2020.

Predictors for the Development of Hypergastrinemia in Maintenance Treatment for Mild Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Using a Half-dose Proton Pump Inhibitor.

Background/aims: Serum gastrin levels may be elevated following proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. We aim to elucidate the predictors for the development of hypergastrinemia in maintenance treatment for mild gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) using a half-dose PPI.

Methods: This study analyzed data from a prospective randomized trial to compare continuous versus on-demand maintenance treatment modalities in patients with mild GERD.

Enzymatic grafting of 5-O-succinyl erythorbyl myristate onto chitosan to improve its emulsifying properties.

Chitosan (CS) is a versatile polysaccharide with numerous inherent biological activity, while the lack of amphiphilicity limits its application in emulsion-based systems. In this study, erythorbyl myristate (EM) with interfacial activity was chemically modified to 5-O-succinyl EM (EMS) and grafted onto CS to improve the emulsifying properties. The grafting reaction was conducted by the catalysis of protease, with the progress of the reaction monitored by HPLC analysis and UV absorbance measurement.

Elasticity of Swollen and Folded Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Using the MARTINI Coarse-Grained Model.

One of the key advantages of using a hydrogel is its superb control over elasticity obtained through variations of constituent polymer and water. The underlying molecular nature of a hydrogel is a fundamental origin of hydrogel mechanics. In this article, we report a Polyacrylamide (PAAm)-based hydrogel model using the MARTINI coarse-grained (CG) force field.

Artificial Intelligence Models May Aid in Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with T1 Colorectal Cancer.

Background/aims: Inaccurate prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) may lead to unnecessary surgery following endoscopic resection of T1 colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to validate the usefulness of artificial intelligence (AI) models for predicting LNM in patients with T1 CRC.

Methods: We analyzed the clinical data, laboratory results, pathological reports, and endoscopic findings of patients who underwent radical surgery for T1 CRC.

Highly accurate Korean draft genomes reveal structural variation highlighting human telomere evolution.

Given the presence of highly repetitive genomic regions such as subtelomeric regions, understanding human genomic evolution remains challenging. Recently, long-read sequencing technology has facilitated the identification of complex genetic variants, including structural variants (SVs), at the single-nucleotide level. Here, we resolved SVs and their underlying DNA damage-repair mechanisms in subtelomeric regions, which are among the most uncharted genomic regions.

Phenotype of Relapsing Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease in Children.

Background And Purpose: To determine the clinical phenotypes, relapse timing, treatment responses, and outcomes of children with relapsing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD).

Methods: We collected the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data of patients aged <18 years who had been diagnosed with MOGAD at Seoul National University Children's Hospital between January 2010 and January 2022; 100 were identified as positive for MOG antibodies, 43 of whom experienced relapse.

Results: The median age at onset was 7 years (range 2-16 years).

Role of factors controlling diurnal variation of cold-season formaldehyde during Satellite Integrated Joint Monitoring of Air Quality 2021 campaign.

Formaldehyde (HCHO), a major carbonyl compound in urban air, poses health risks due to its carcinogenic properties. However, the role of FT-PBL exchange in HCHO and the importance of vertical exchange on diurnal variations in HCHO remain unclear. This study investigated the diurnal variability of HCHO in Seoul's planetary boundary layer (PBL) during cold.

Cohort profile: Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Rare Pediatric Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases in Korea (OUTSPREAD study).

Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated.

Tissue-Adhesive and Stiffness-Adaptive Neural Electrodes Fabricated Through Laser-Based Direct Patterning.

Recently, implantable devices for treating peripheral nerve disorders have demonstrated significant potential as neuroprosthetics for diagnostics and electrical stimulation. However, the mechanical mismatch between these devices and nerves frequently results in tissue damage and performance degradation. Although advances are made in stretchable electrodes, challenges, including complex patterning techniques and unstable performance, persist.

An Advanced Multivalent Ligand-Decorated Microsphere Enrichment System Efficiently Captures Circulating Tumor Cells In Vivo.

Capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in vivo from the bloodstream lessens tumor metastasis and recurrence risks. However, the absence of CTC receptors due to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the limited binding capacity of a single ligand, and the complexity of the blood flow environment significantly reduce the efficiency of CTC capture in vivo. Herein, a multivalent ligand-decorated microsphere enrichment system (MLMES) is crafted that incorporates a capture column replete with an immunosorbent that precisely recognizes and binds the stably expressed cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) and glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT1) receptors present on the exterior of CTCs.

Direct Observation of Anisotropic Coulomb Interaction in a Topological Nodal Line Semimetal.

The fundamental characteristics of collective interactions in topological band structures can be revealed by the exploration of charge screening in topological materials. In particular, distinct anisotropic screening behaviors are predicted to occur in Dirac nodal line semimetals (DNLSMs) due to their peculiar anisotropic low-energy dispersion. Despite the recent extensive theoretical research, experimental observations of exotic charge screening in DNLSMs remain elusive, which is partly attributed to the coexisting trivial bands near the Fermi energy.

Hot Nanogap Networks-In-Triangular Nanoframes: A Strategy for Positioning Adsorbates Near Hot Spots.

This study reports the synthesis of plasmonic hot nanogap networks-in-triangular nanoframes (NITNFs), featuring narrow intraparticle nanogap networks embedded within triangular nanoframes. Starting from Au nanotriangles, Pt NITNFs are synthesized through a cascade reaction involving simultaneous Pt deposition and Au etching in a one-pot process. The Pt NITNFs are then transformed into plasmonically active Au NITNFs via Au coating.

Establishing cutoff values for visual amyloid positivity in [F]flutemetamol PET.

Background: This study aimed to establish the optimal cutoff values for visual amyloid positivity using standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) in [F]flutemetamol (FMM) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Given the variability in amyloid assessment, our goal was to determine cutoff values that enhance diagnostic accuracy and assist clinicians in reliably identifying amyloid positivity.

Results: The identified cutoff values for visual amyloid positivity were > 1.

Insignificant difference in medication adherence to dyslipidemia drugs between visually impaired and non-disabled people in South Korea: A nationwide cohort study using claims records.

Incidence of visual impairment (VI) and dyslipidemia is increasing with aging. Although good medication adherence (MA) is a crucial factor in achieving therapeutic goals for dyslipidemia, there is a paucity of studies measuring MA in the visually impaired with dyslipidemia. We investigated whether patients with VI had worse MA to dyslipidemia drugs than non-disabled people and determined the factors affecting MA among patients with VI.

Advancing Natural Killer Cell Therapy: Genetic Engineering Strategies for Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy.

Natural killer (NK) cells are pivotal innate immune system components that exhibit spontaneous cytolytic activity against abnormal cells, such as infected and tumor cells. NK cells have shown significant promise in adoptive cell therapy because of their favorable safety profiles and minimal toxicity in clinical settings. Despite their advantages, the therapeutic application of unmodified NK cells faces challenges, including limited in vivo persistence, particularly in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Thoracic vertebral body erosion due to a perianeurysmal outpouching lesion after thoracic endovascular aortic repair: a case report and literature review.

Background: The safety of endovascular treatment, such as thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), for a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm has been well-established, with a reported low postoperative mortality rate but higher incidences of long-term complications such as endo-leakage, device failure, and aneurysm-related death. Based on this, we report the first case of massive thoracic vertebral body erosion due to a perianeurysmal outpouching lesion after TEVAR.

Case Presentation: A 77-year-old female with a history of TEVAR due to descending thoracic aortic arch aneurysm 4 years ago was referred from the cardiovascular clinic to the spine center.

Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists and Risk of Thyroid Cancer: An International Multisite Cohort Study.

Concerns have been raised that glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) may increase the risk of thyroid cancer, but evidence remains conflicting. We therefore investigated if GLP1-RA use, compared with use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is), was associated with thyroid cancer risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. This multisite cohort study with subsequent meta-analysis included six population-based databases from Canada (Ontario), Denmark, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, and Taiwan.

Brentuximab Vedotin Combination for Relapsed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Purpose: In patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), brentuximab vedotin (BV) as monotherapy or combined with either lenalidomide (Len) or rituximab (R) has demonstrated efficacy with acceptable safety. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of BV + Len + R versus placebo + Len + R in patients with R/R DLBCL.

Methods: ECHELON-3 is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase 3 trial comparing BV + Len + R with placebo + Len + R in patients with R/R DLBCL.

Anion-Rich Interface via a Self-Assembled Monolayer toward a Long-Lifespan Li Metal Battery.

Due to the extremely high energy density of Li metal, Li metal batteries are regarded as one of the most promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems. However, interfacial issues, particularly the unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and lithium dendritic growth, hinder practical application. Herein, we induce an anion-rich interface near the Li metal by introducing positively charged self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on ceramic-coated separators to simultaneously stabilize the SEI and homogenize the Li deposition.

Post-Treatment of Monolayer MoS Field-Effect Transistors with HO Vapor: Alleviation of Remote Channel Doping.

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of high-k dielectric films on MoS channels can lead to inadvertent remote electron doping of channels owing to nonequilibrium ALD conditions, such as the low temperatures and short purge times required for pinhole-free coating, as well as the weak physical adsorption of ALD precursors on MoS. In this study, we propose the application of a simple and effective HO vapor post-treatment (HO PT) at 100 °C immediately after complete integration of bottom- and top-gate monolayer MoS field-effect transistors (FETs), to address the inadvertent channel doping effect. When HO PT was applied to bottom-gate monolayer MoS FETs with an ALD-AlO passivation layer, the mitigation of channel doping was confirmed through electrical and optical measurements.

Analysis of Changes in Viral Load and Inflammatory Cytokines, as Well as the Occurrence of Secondary Infections, in SFTS Patients Treated with Specific Treatments: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an acute febrile illness caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV). We conducted this study to propose a scientific evidence-based treatment that can improve prognosis through changes in viral load and inflammatory cytokines according to the specific treatment of SFTS patients. This prospective and observational study was conducted at 14 tertiary referral hospitals, which are located in SFTS endemic areas in Korea, from 1 May 2018 to 31 October 2020.

Chronic Hepatitis B Genotype C Mouse Model with Persistent Covalently Closed Circular DNA.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause chronic infections, significantly increasing the risk of death from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A key player in chronic HBV infection is covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), a stable episomal form of viral DNA that acts as a persistent reservoir in infected hepatocytes and drives continuous viral replication. Despite the development of several animal models, few adequately replicate cccDNA formation and maintenance, limiting our understanding of its dynamics and the evaluation of potential therapeutic interventions targeting cccDNA.