Aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index outperforms Fibrosis-4 in 2843 Korean patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Aim: The definition of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has recently been proposed. We aim to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of noninvasive fibrosis markers in predicting liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and MASLD.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 2843 patients diagnosed with steatotic liver disease at six tertiary hospitals in South Korea.

A Real-World, Prospective, Observational Study of Rivaroxaban on Prevention of Stroke and Non-Central Nervous Systemic Embolism in Renally Impaired Korean Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: XARENAL.

Background And Objectives: Several real-world studies have been done in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF); however, information on its safety profile in patients with renal impairment is limited. XARENAL, a real-world study, aimed to prospectively investigate the safety profile of rivaroxaban in patients with NVAF with renal impairment (creatinine clearance [CrCl], 15-49 mL/min).

Methods: XARENAL is an observational single-arm cohort study in renal impairment NVAF patients.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Honeysuckle Leaf Against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation on BV2 Microglia.

Background/objectives: Neurodegenerative disorders have emerged as a major global public health concern, and the burden is predicted to increase over time. Modulating neuroinflammation and microglial activity is considered a promising target for improving neurodegenerative disorders. The leaf of honeysuckle (LH), which has anti-inflammatory properties, has long been collected, regardless of the season, and used for medicinal purposes.

Root Extract Attenuates Osteoarthritis Progression by Inhibiting Inflammation and Cartilage Degradation in Interleukin-1β and Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis Models.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint condition caused by an imbalance between cartilage synthesis and degradation, which disrupts joint homeostasis. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and joint-improving effects of root extract powder (PDREP) in both in vitro and in vivo OA models.

Methods/results: In an in vitro OA model, in which SW1353 human chondrosarcoma cells were treated with interleukin (IL)-1β, PDREP treatment significantly reduced the mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 while enhancing collagen type II alpha 1 (Col2a1) mRNA level, and decreased IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Ethanol Extract from L. Flower in Diesel Particulate Matter-Stimulated HaCaT Cells.

Background/objectives: Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) is a very small particulate matter originating from cities, factories, and the use of fossil fuels in diesel vehicles. When DPM permeates the skin, it causes inflammation, leading to severe atopic dermatitis. L.

Diet-Wide Association Study for the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in Three Population-Based Cohorts.

Background: Dietary factors are well-known modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D), but many studies overlook the interrelationships between these factors, even though foods are often consumed together and contain a variety of nutrients.

Objectives: In this study, we employed a diet-wide association study approach to investigate the links between various dietary factors and T2D onset, taking into account complex dietary patterns.

Methods: We analyzed 16,666 participants without T2D from three Korean population-based cohorts: the Multi-Rural Communities Cohort ( = 8302), the Atherosclerosis Risk of a Rural Area Korean General Population cohort ( = 4990), and the Kanghwa cohort ( = 3374).

Therapeutic Potential of Ramalin Derivatives with Enhanced Stability in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a significant public health challenge with limited effective treatment options. Ramalin, a compound derived from Antarctic lichens, has shown potential in the treatment of AD because of its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its instability and toxicity have hindered the development of Ramalin as a viable therapeutic agent.

NIR-Guided Coating Optimization of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Mini Soft Capsules with Pitavastatin and Ezetimibe.

Background: This study aimed to optimize the coating process of Omega-3 fatty acid (OM3-FA) mini soft capsules containing the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) pitavastatin and ezetimibe using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for in-process monitoring. Cardiovascular disease treatments benefit from combining OM3-FA with lipid-lowering agents, but formulating such combinations in mini soft capsules presents challenges in maintaining stability and mechanical integrity.

Methods: The coating process was developed using a pan coater and real-time NIR monitoring to ensure uniformity and quality.

Effect of Amorphous Metallic Fibers on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Aggregate Cement Mortars Containing Carbon Nanotubes.

Lightweight aggregate concrete can reduce the self-weight of a structure with a low unit weight; however, disadvantages such as reduced strength and brittleness remain. This study evaluated the thermal and mechanical properties of lightweight aggregate cement mortars containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and amorphous metallic fibers (AMFs). A thermal property test indicated that the peak temperature of the C1A1 and C1A2 samples using AMFs was approximately 91.

Identifying Herbal Candidates and Active Ingredients Against Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Using Biased Random Walk on a Multiscale Network.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a major global health concern, particularly affecting aging women, and necessitates innovative treatment options. Herbal medicine, with its multi-compound, multi-target characteristics, offers a promising approach for complex diseases. In this study, we applied multiscale network and random walk-based analyses to identify candidate herbs and their active ingredients for postmenopausal osteoporosis, focusing on their underlying mechanisms.

Age and Clinically Actionable Events in Patients With Implantable Loop Recorders: Analysis of Multicenter Loop Recorder Registry.

Introduction: Little is known about age and clinical intervention after implantable loop recorder (ILR) insertion. This study investigated the association between age and clinical intervention after ILR implantation.

Methods And Results: Data were obtained from a multicenter registry of ILR in Korea (2017-2020, n = 795).

Identifying Herbal Candidates and Active Compounds for Psoriasis Through Multiscale Network Analysis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by the hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and immune system dysregulation, with significant needs due to the limitations and adverse effects of current treatments. In this study, we sought to discover novel herbal candidates and their active compounds for psoriasis by leveraging a multiscale network analysis. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of data from 348 medicinal herbs and their active compounds, identifying , , , and as top candidates without reported evidence.

Recapitulating Glioma Stem Cell Niches Using 3D Spheroid Models for Glioblastoma Research.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is among the most aggressive brain cancers, and it contains glioma stem cells (GSCs) that drive tumor initiation, progression, and recurrence. These cells resist conventional therapies, contributing to high recurrence rates in GBM patients. Developing in vitro models that mimic the tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly the GSC niche, is crucial for understanding GBM growth and therapeutic resistance.

The neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of ramalin synthetic derivatives in BV2 and HT22 cells.

Ramalin, a strong antioxidant isolated from Antarctic lichens, has been shown to have potential therapeutic effects in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, this compound is readily degraded in aqueous solutions, which restricts its development as a therapeutic agent. With a view toward addressing this problem, in this study, we modified the structure of ramalin to obtain more stable compounds and attempted to identify a derivative with the strongest neuroprotective properties.

UG0712, A Ginsenoside Complex, Improved Endurance Performance and Changed Hepatic and Muscular Transcriptomic Signatures in C57BL/6N Male Mice.

Ginsenosides, active compounds derived from Panax ginseng, exhibit promising potential in enhancing physical performance. This study investigates the impact of UG0712 (UG), a novel ginsenoside compound, on endurance capacity, body weight, organ weights, blood parameters, and specific transcriptomic changes in liver and muscle tissues using a C57BL/6N mouse model. The mice received UGs orally at three doses: UG50 (50 mg/kg), UG100 (100 mg/kg), and UG200 (200 mg/kg) for a specified duration.

Long-Term Outcome of Rescue Stenting for Acute Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis Related Large Vessel Occlusion in Anterior Circulation.

Background And Purpose: Rescue stent (RS) is an accepted rescue option after failed mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke due to intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS)-related large vessel occlusion (LVO). However, the long-term outcomes (≥ 12 months) of RS have not yet been elucidated.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 154 patients with RS for ICAS-related LVO, which were identified from prospectively maintained multicenter database of RS after MT failure, to assess good outcome (mRS 0-2), mortality, stroke recurrence, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) and stent patency.

Engineering Delocalized Polarizations in Metal Oxide Electrodes with Conducting Polymers for Efficient and Durable Water-Splitting.

Oxygen evolution reaction is a pivotal anodic reaction for electrolysis, however, it remains the obstacle from its sluggish reaction kinetics originating from multiple electron transfer pathways at electrochemical interfaces. Especially, it remains a challenge to achieve stable operation at elevated current densities as electrodes suffer oxidative environment in corrosive conditions. Herein, we report that the conducting polymer polypyrrole electrodeposited PrSrCoO perovskite oxides for durable oxygen evolution electrodes.

Alternative LDL Cholesterol-Lowering Strategy vs High-Intensity Statins in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.

Importance: In patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), intensive lowering of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels with high-intensity statins is generally recommended. However, alternative approaches considering statin-related adverse effects and intolerance are needed.

Objective: To compare the long-term efficacy and safety of an alternative LDL cholesterol-lowering strategy vs high-intensity statin strategy in patients with ASCVD in randomized clinical trials.

Aerobic bacterial group as an early-stage biomarker from faecal samples of patients with colorectal cancer without distant metastasis.

The current approaches for detecting most colorectal polyps and early neoplasms lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity, potentially hindering treatment and ultimately reducing survival rates. Here, we performed a metagenomic analysis to identify microbiome markers in stool samples from patients with early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC). We compared the composition of gut microbiota between patients with CRC and healthy individuals, specifically focusing on patients with early-stage CRC, defined as those without core mutations (KRAS, BRAF) for CRC diagnosis, stable microsatellite instability, and distant metastasis.

Bundle structures inside the deep cervical lymphatic vessels of mice.

The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in immune function and the removal of cellular waste. Recent studies have highlighted the presence of primo vessels (PVs) inside lymphatic vessels, distinct from conventional lymphatic tissues, yet their structural and functional characteristics remain poorly understood, particularly PVs inside deep cervical lymphatic vessels (dcLVs) connected to the meningeal lymphatics. We used a combination of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Alcian Blue (AB) and H&E staining techniques to identify and characterize PVs inside the dcLVs of mice.

Mitochondrial regulation in the tumor microenvironment: targeting mitochondria for immunotherapy.

Mitochondrial regulation plays a crucial role in cancer immunity in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Infiltrating immune cells, including T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and macrophages, undergo mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming to survive the harsh conditions of the TME and enhance their antitumor activity. On the other hand, immunosuppressive cells like myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), mast cells, and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) rely on mitochondrial regulation to maintain their function as well.