Type I interferon signaling promotes kainic acid-induced seizures through mTOR activation.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, yet the role of type I interferon (IFN) signaling in seizure pathogenesis remains elusive. In this study, we show that deficiency of type I IFN signaling reduces seizure severity in a kainic acid-induced mouse model. Ifnar1 mice exhibited significantly lower seizure scores at multiple time points (e.

Associations of green space visitation patterns with sociodemographics, health, and perceptions: A cluster analysis using smartphone Wi-Fi and GPS data.

Understanding the multiple impacts of green spaces on individual health and overall quality of life is a key factor in urban planning and public health promotion. This study integrated smartphone Wi-Fi and GPS location data, survey data, and green space data to analyze the relationships between green space visitation patterns and sociodemographic characteristics, health, and green space perceptions of 1,715 residents of the Seoul metropolitan area in South Korea. Green space visitation patterns of urban residents were categorized into Non-Visitors (rarely visited green spaces), Weekday Visitors (weekday visits), Weekend Visitors (weekend visits), and Frequent Visitors (weekday and weekend visits).

Enhanced gating efficiency in vertical mixed molecular transistors with deep orbital level.

The advancement of molecular junction transistors relies heavily on precise modulation of molecular orbitals, yet this is hindered by a limited transmission window and reduced bias stability, which typically restricts the range of active channel molecules adopted to those with orbital levels near Fermi level of the contacts. In this study, we demonstrate an effective orbital gating of prototypical alkanethiol-based molecules with deeper orbital levels in vertical large-area mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) configuration that offers enhanced electrical bias stability and gating efficiency. By using ion gel gating in Au-molecule-graphene junction, the channel conductance could be modulated notably according to a clear transition from direct tunneling to Fowler-Nordheim tunneling regime.

Microglial NLRP3-gasdermin D activation impairs blood-brain barrier integrity through interleukin-1β-independent neutrophil chemotaxis upon peripheral inflammation in mice.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disintegration is a key contributor to neuroinflammation; however, the biological processes governing BBB permeability under physiological conditions remain unclear. Here, we investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in BBB disruption following peripheral inflammatory challenges. Repeated intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide administration causes NLRP3-dependent BBB permeabilization and myeloid cell infiltration into the brain.

Profiling the AI speaker user: Machine learning insights into consumer adoption patterns.

The objective of this study is to identify the characteristics of users of AI speakers and predict potential consumers, with the aim of supporting effective advertising and marketing strategies in the fast-evolving media technology landscape. To do so, our analysis employs decision trees, random forests, support vector machines, artificial neural networks, and XGboost, which are typical machine learning techniques for classification and leverages the 2019 Media & Consumer Research survey data from the Korea Broadcasting and Advertising Corporation (N = 3,922). The final XGboost model, which performed the best among the other machine learning models, specifically forecasts individuals aged 45-50 and 60-65, who are active on social networking platforms and have a preference for varied programming content, as the most likely future users.

Strategies for launching streaming content: Assessing movie-country relatedness and its impact on international popularity.

The study proposes a way to measure the relatedness between countries and movies (movie-country relatedness density) and to test whether this relatedness is an important factor in predicting the popularity of a movie in a certain country. The results show that both movie-country relatedness density and movie ubiquity (i.e.

Effects of L-Type Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel (LTCC) Inhibition on Hippocampal Neuronal Death after Pilocarpine-Induced Seizure.

Epilepsy, marked by abnormal and excessive brain neuronal activity, is linked to the activation of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LTCCs) in neuronal membranes. LTCCs facilitate the entry of calcium (Ca) and other metal ions, such as zinc (Zn) and magnesium (Mg), into the cytosol. This Ca influx at the presynaptic terminal triggers the release of Zn and glutamate to the postsynaptic terminal.

The effect of watching OTT late at night on the sleep pattern of users.

This study aimed to answer the question of how media users will reallocate their sleep time when their main content channel changes from real-time broadcasting to selective viewing through the over-the-top (OTT) media streaming service. To draw a causal inference between OTT consumption and sleep patterns, the difference-in-difference (DID) estimation method was applied. With the DID approach, a clear distinction between treatment and control groups is essential because the main treatment effects can be screened by the compounding effects.

Funnel Devices Based on Asymmetrically Strained Transition Metal Dichalcogenides.

The strain applied to transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) reduces their energy bandgap, and local strains result in a funnel-like band structure in which funneled excitons move toward the most strained region. Herein, a funnel device based on asymmetrically strained WS and MoS is reported. Asymmetric strains are induced by transferring the TMD flakes onto a fork-shaped SU-8 microstructure.

Distinctive role of inflammation in tissue repair and regeneration.

Inflammation is an essential host defense mechanism in response to microbial infection and tissue injury. In addition to its well-established role in infection, inflammation is actively involved in the repair of damaged tissues and restoration of homeostatic conditions after tissue injury. The intensity of the inflammatory response and types of cells involved in inflammation have a significant impact on the quality of tissue repair.

Therapeutic Potential of Phlorotannin-Rich Extract on Methylglyoxal-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy in In Vitro Model.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) play a vital role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Methylglyoxal (MGO), one of the major precursors of AGEs, is a highly reactive dicarbonyl compound that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of phlorotannin-rich extract (ECE) on MGO-induced diabetic nephropathy in in vitro models using mouse glomerular mesangial cells.

Changes in regional knowledge bases and its effect on local labour markets in the midst of transition: Evidence from France over 1985-2015.

In the 2000s, the European labour market experienced a number of significant changes including the transition to a more knowledge-intensive economy as well as the introduction of various economic policies (e.g. Eurozone, subsidized jobs, and social tax cuts).

Ferroelastic-Ferroelectric Multiferroicity in van der Waals Rhenium Dichalcogenides.

2D multiferroics with combined ferroic orders have gained attention owing to their novel functionality and underlying science. Intrinsic ferroelastic-ferroelectric multiferroicity in single-crystalline van der Waals rhenium dichalcogenides, whose symmetries are broken by the Peierls distortion and layer-stacking order, is demonstrated. Ferroelastic switching of the domain orientation and accompanying anisotropic properties is achieved with 1% uniaxial strain using the polymer encapsulation method.

Estimating cost of fighting against fake news during catastrophic situations.

As the battle with COVID-19 continues, an Infodemic problem has been raised. Even though the distribution of false news in national disaster situations has been reported for a long time, little attention has been given to the quantitative research of the fake news problem from the audience's perspective. This study, therefore, aims to estimate how much tax taxpayers would gladly pay for a virtual public-run fact-checking system.

The Effect of Formula-based Nutritional Treatment on Colitis in a Murine Model.

Background: Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) induces remission in pediatric Crohn's disease (CD). The exact mechanism of EEN therapy in CD is unknown, but alteration of the intestinal microflora after EEN is thought to affect mucosal healing. To determine the link between EEN therapy and therapeutic efficacy in CD, we established a murine model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and applied EEN therapy.

Ameliorates Methylglyoxal-Induced Nephrotoxicity via Reducing Oxidative Stress, RAGE Protein Expression, and Modulating MAPK, Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway in Mouse Glomerular Mesangial Cells.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) such as methylglyoxal (MGO) play a vital role in the pathogenesis of nephropathy, a diabetic complication. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-glycation and renal protective properties of extract (IOE) against AGE-induced oxidative stress. HPLC analysis confirmed that bioactive phlorotannins such as diphlorethohydroxycarmalol and ishophloroglucin A are predominantly present in IOE.

Rectifying optoelectronic memory based on WSe/graphene heterostructures.

van der Waals heterostructures composed of two-dimensional materials vertically stacked have been extensively studied to develop various multifunctional devices. Here, we report WSe/graphene heterostructure devices with a top floating gate that can serve as multifunctional devices. They exhibit gate-controlled rectification inversion, rectified nonvolatile memory effects, and multilevel optoelectronic memory effects.

The nature of ICT in technology convergence: A knowledge-based network analysis.

This study aims to understand the nature of information and communication technology in technology convergence. We form a knowledge network by applying social network theories to Korean patent data collected from the European Patent Organization. A knowledge network consists of nodes representing technology sectors identified by their International Patent Classification codes and edges that link International Patent Classification codes when they appear concurrently in a patent.

Distinct Features of Brain-Resident Macrophages: Microglia and Non-Parenchymal Brain Macrophages.

Tissue-resident macrophages play an important role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and innate immune defense against invading microbial pathogens. Brain-resident macrophages can be classified into microglia in the brain parenchyma and non-parenchymal brain macrophages, also known as central nervous system-associated or border-associated macrophages, in the brain-circulation interface. Microglia and non-parenchymal brain macrophages, including meningeal, perivascular, and choroid plexus macrophages, are mostly produced during embryonic development, and maintained their population by self-renewal.

Pentacyanoammineferrate-Based Non-Enzymatic Electrochemical Biosensing Platform for Selective Uric Acid Measurement.

The electrochemical-based detection of uric acid (UA) is widely used for diagnostic purposes. However, various interfering species such as ascorbic acid, dopamine, and glucose can affect electrochemical signals, and hence there is an outstanding need to develop improved sensing platforms to detect UA with high selectivity. Herein, we report a pentagonal mediator-based non-enzymatic electrochemical biosensing platform to selectively measure UA in the presence of interfering species.

Immunopathogenesis of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is an autoimmune disorder which affects small- and, to a lesser degree, medium-sized vessels. ANCA-associated vasculitis encompasses three disease phenotypes: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). This classification is largely based on clinical presentations and has several limitations.

Towards Understanding Tuberculosis-Related Issues in North Korea: A Narrative Review of North Korean Literature.

Background: North Korea is one of the 30 countries with the highest tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant TB burdened. To understand the medical issues and research trends associated with TB in North Korea, we performed a comprehensive review of articles related to clinical and laboratory research on TB published in North Korean medical journals.

Methods: We reviewed all types of TB-related articles published in nine North Korean medical journals (Yebang ŭihak: Preventive medicine; Koryo ŭihak: Korea Medicine; Chosŏn ŭihak: Chosun Medicine; Naekwa: Internal Medicine; Soa, sanbuinkwa: Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, Surgery; Ŭihak: Medicine; Kich'o ŭihak: Basic Medicine; and Chosŏn yakhak: Chosun Pharmacy).

Measures to Promote Rural Healthcare Tourism with a Scientific Evidence-Based Approach.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of physical activities on human health in forests in countryside and rural areas. The test experiment was conducted in a countryside forest, whereas the controlled experiment was conducted in an urban area where the study participants resided. A total of 22 participants (aged 20.

Multilevel MoS Optical Memory with Photoresponsive Top Floating Gates.

Optoelectronic memory devices, whose states can be controlled using electrical optical signals, are receiving much attention for their potential applications in image sensing and parallel data transmission and processes. Here, we report MoS-based devices with top floating gates of Au, graphene, and MoS. Unlike conventional floating gate memory devices, our devices have the photoresponsive floating gate at the top, acting as a charge trapping layer.

The Effect of a Reduced Statutory Workweek on Familial Long-Term Care in Korea.

Objectives: We examine how statutory workweeks affect workers' provision of long-term care for their non-coresident elderly parents.

Method: The Korean government reduced its statutory workweek from 44 to 40 hr, gradually from larger to smaller establishments, between 2004 and 2011. Using multiple regressions, we assess how the reduction affected visits, financial transfers, and in-kind transfers to parents.