TSG6 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor-associated macrophage polarization through Smad2/3 and MAPK signaling by facilitating TSG6-CD44-TGFβR1 or EGFR complex formation.

TSG6 is highly expressed during PLK1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the role of TSG6 in the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains poorly understood. We investigate the function and regulatory mechanisms of TSG6 in immune plasticity within the TME of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Platelet Membrane-Coated Poly (Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) Nanoparticles as a Targeting Drug Delivery System for Multidrug-Resistant Breast Cancer.

Introduction: Paclitaxel (PTX), widely used chemotherapeutic agent, is limited by poor solubility, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated efflux, and non-specific toxicity. To overcome these challenges, we developed a triple-functionalized nanocarrier system incorporating poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-based nanoparticles (PNs), D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) for P-gp inhibition, and platelet membrane (PM) coating for targeted tumor delivery.

Methods: The PM-coated TPGS-modified PNs with PTX (PTPNs) was characterized by particle size analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and protein assay to confirm PM coating.

Lysosomal targeting of liposomes with acidic pH and Cathepsin B induces protein aggregate clearance.

The autophagy-lysosomal pathway is a cellular degradation mechanism that regulates protein quality by eliminating aggregates and maintaining normal protein function. It has been reported that aging itself reduces lysosomal proteolytic activity in age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Reduction in lysosomal function may underlie the accumulation of protein aggregates such as amyloid beta (Aβ), tau, and α-synuclein.

Development and Validation of the Patient-Centered Communication Competency Scale for Dental Hygienists.

Communication skills are a core professional competency for dental hygienists. Accordingly, it is vital to develop a systematic scale that can objectively predict the relationship among communication skills and job satisfaction and various psychosocial factors. This study aimed to develop and validate the Patient-Centered Communication Competency Scale (PCCS) in dental hygienists for dental health service.

Consumer Perceptions and Purchase Behavior Towards Plant-Based Eggs: A Vignette Experiment.

The plant-based eggs category is growing rapidly; however, there is limited research on consumer behavior towards plant-based eggs. We explore consumer perceptions and investigate factors affecting the likelihood of purchase for plant-based eggs by using experimental vignettes. Using data from a nationally representative sample of U.

Buccal application of microneedles coated with an optimized hydrogel containing naproxen and dexamethasone.

Inflammation and impaired bone regeneration are major challenges in oral and maxillofacial surgery, necessitating the development of effective drug delivery systems. This study aimed to develop a hydrogel-based microneedle (MN) system for the controlled release of anti-inflammatory and osteogenic drugs. A hydrogel loaded with naproxen sodium (NAS) and dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DEX) using poloxamer 407 (NDgel) was prepared using a low-temperature method and optimized via the Box-Behnken design.

Retinal degeneration increases inter-trial variabilities of light-evoked spiking activities in ganglion cells.

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) transmit visual information to the brain in the form of spike trains, which form visual perception. The reliabilities of spike timing and count are thought to play a crucial role in generating stable percepts. However, the effect of retinal degeneration on spike reproducibility remains underexplored.

A three-dimensional mouse liver organoid platform for assessing EDCs metabolites simulating liver metabolism.

Hepatic metabolism is an important process for evaluate the potential activity and toxicity of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) metabolites. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has advocated the development of in vitro assays that mimic in vivo hepatic metabolism to eventually replace classical animal tests. In response to this need, we established a 3D mouse liver organoid (mLO) platform that mimics the animal model and is distinct from existing models.

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.

Establishment and long-term expansion of adult hepatobiliary organoids co-cultured with liver endothelial cells.

The liver has a unique ability to regenerate in response to injury or disease with hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells (BECs) driving the regenerative response. Liver progenitor cells (LPCs) also play role in regeneration with the ability to differentiate into either hepatocytes or BECs. However, during chronic liver disease, the regenerative capacity of the liver is impaired.

Development of an Automated Free Flap Monitoring System Based on Artificial Intelligence.

Importance: Meticulous postoperative flap monitoring is essential for preventing flap failure and achieving optimal results in free flap operations, for which physical examination has remained the criterion standard. Despite the high reliability of physical examination, the requirement of excessive use of clinician time has been considered a main drawback.

Objective: To develop an automated free flap monitoring system using artificial intelligence (AI), minimizing human involvement while maintaining efficiency.

Reliability and Safety of the Superthin Anterolateral Thigh Flap: Evaluating Perfusion-Related Complications and Donor Morbidity.

Background: With an increasing need for thin flaps, the use of superthin anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps, raised above the supra-superficial fascia, has drawn great attention. Controversy remains regarding whether such thin-flap elevation could affect postoperative outcomes, encompassing perfusion-related complications (PRCs) and donor-site morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of superthin ALT flap-based reconstruction compared with those of suprafascially elevated flaps.

Adaptation and validation of a Korean version of the speaking up about patient safety questionnaire (KSUPS-Q).

Background: Speaking up by healthcare providers is an essential assertive communication strategy for ensuring patient safety and preventing incidents. However, more is needed to know about speaking up and instruments to assess it in the Korean context. Therefore, we assessed the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the Speaking Up about Patient Safety Questionnaire (KSUPS-Q) for measuring speaking up-related behavior and climate among nurses.

Thin Free Perforator Flap as a Viable Option for Forefoot Reconstruction: Comprehensive Evaluation of Outcomes.

Background: Reconstruction of forefoot defects often necessitates free tissue transfer due to the limited availability of local tissue. Microsurgical reconstruction of the forefoot remains challenging, as it requires durable yet thin soft-tissue coverage for functional restoration. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of free thin perforator flaps for forefoot reconstruction, with a focus on functional outcomes.

Comparison of Enlarged Perivascular Spaces in Early-Onset and Late-Onset Alzheimer Disease-related Cognitive Impairment: A Single Clinic-based Study in South Korea.

We examined whether there were differences in the presence of centrum semiovale-enlarged perivascular spaces (CSO-ePVS) and basal ganglia-ePVS (BG-ePVS) among patients with Alzheimer disease-related cognitive impairment (ADCI) based on their age of onset. Out of a total of 239 patients with cognitive impairment, 155 with positive amyloid-PET results were included. Among these, 43 had early-onset ADCI (EOADCI) and 112 had late-onset ADCI (LOADCI).

S6K1 deficiency in tumor stroma impairs lung metastasis of melanoma in mice.

Accumulating data suggest that ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), an effector in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, plays pleiotropic roles in tumor progression. However, to date, while the tumorigenic function of S6K1 in tumor cells has been well elucidated, its role in the tumor stroma remains poorly understood. We recently showed that S6K1 mediates vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) production in macrophages, thereby supporting tumor angiogenesis and growth.

Association Between Oral Health Status and Survival Time in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients.

Introduction: Patients with terminal cancer often experience various oral problems. Whether oral health status is associated with the survival of terminally ill cancer patients receiving palliative care remains unclear.

Methods: We analyzed the data of 59 Korean patients with terminal cancer receiving palliative care, including their oral health status, using a modified Korean version of the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT).

Activation of Lysosomal Function Ameliorates Amyloid-β-Induced Tight Junction Disruption in the Retinal Pigment Epithelium.

Accumulation of pathogenic amyloid-β disrupts the tight junction of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), one of its senescence-like structural alterations. In the clearance of amyloid-β, the autophagy-lysosome pathway plays the crucial role. In this context, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibits the process of autophagy and lysosomal degradation, acting as a potential therapeutic target for age-associated disorders.

Factors influencing shared decision-making in long-term care facilities.

Background: Shared decision-making, a communicative process to reach decisions based on informed preferences, evidence, and co-created goals, improves care satisfaction and patients' quality of life. However, shared decision-making has not been widely implemented in long-term care facilities, and few studies have examined how to promote the shared decision-making practice. This study aimed to identify the influencing factors of shared decision-making based on the Person-centered Practice Framework in long-term care facilities.

Non-Directional Property of Human-Body Communication Channel for Implantable Device Application.

In this paper, we present the properties of a communication channel used for implantable devices. The human-body communication (HBC) channel was proposed for data communication in implantable devices. The impulse response was measured using a channel-mimicking model, which mimics electrical losses caused by human body tissues.

Machine learning models of plasma proteomic data predict mood in chronic stroke and tie it to aberrant peripheral immune responses.

Post-stroke depression is common, long-lasting and associated with severe morbidity and death, but mechanisms are not well-understood. We used a broad proteomics panel and developed a machine learning algorithm to determine whether plasma protein data can predict mood in people with chronic stroke, and to identify proteins and pathways associated with mood. We used Olink to measure 1,196 plasma proteins in 85 participants aged 25 and older who were between 5 months and 9 years after ischemic stroke.

Fully stretchable textile-based triboelectric nanogenerators with crepe-paper-induced surface microstructures.

Currently, major energy sources such as fossil fuels and nuclear fuels face various issues such as resource depletion, environmental pollution, and climate change. Therefore, there is increasing interest in technology that converts mechanical, heat, vibration, and solar energy discarded in nature and daily life into electrical energy. As various wearable devices have been released in recent years, wearable energy-harvesting technologies capable of self-power generation have garnered attention as next-generation technologies.