Disulfiram/Copper Complex Induces Cytotoxicity in Pancreatic Cancer Cells and 5-Fluorouracil-Resistant Cells through Nuclear Factor E2-Related Factor-2 Suppression and Reactive Oxygen Species Modulation.

Background/aims: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a challenging cancer to treat and has a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. In this study, the anticancer effects of disulfiram combined with copper (DSF/Cu) on PDAC cells, including those resistant to 5-fluorouracil, was assessed.

Methods: Human pancreatic cancer cells (BxPC-3 and CFPAC-1) and their 5-fluorouracil-resistant (5FUR) counterparts were treated with DSF/Cu to assess cytotoxicity.

External assessment of an artificial intelligence-enabled electrocardiogram for aortic stenosis detection.

Aims: To assess the performance of an artificial intelligence-enabled electrocardiogram (AI-ECG) algorithm in identifying patients with moderate to severe aortic stenosis (AS) in an Asian cohort from a tertiary care centre.

Methods And Results: We identified a randomly selected patients ≥60 years old who underwent echocardiography and ECG within in 31 days between 2012 and 2021 at the Samsung Medical Center in Korea. Patients with previous cardiac surgery, prosthetic valves, or pacemakers were excluded.

Development and evaluation of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's scenario-based training program for effective response to emerging infectious disease outbreaks.

Objectives: This study aimed to strengthen the core capabilities of epidemiological investigation and response teams (ERTs) at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, drawing on lessons learned from the Middle East respiratory syndrome and coronavirus disease 2019 pandemics. The primary objectives were to facilitate rapid and accurate data collection and analysis, improve communication skills, and simulate real-world on-site responses.

Methods: The training program was developed using a scenario involving a novel infectious disease from the World Health Organization priority list entering a community.

Precise progerin targeting using RfxCas13d: A therapeutic avenue for Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), an extremely rare progressive genetic disorder, is caused by a point mutation in LMNA that induces progerin production, which disrupts cellular function and triggers premature aging and mortality. Despite extensive efforts, HPGS remains incurable. We successfully implemented a strategy using RfxCas13d to selectively target progerin mRNA at specific junction regions, without unintended cleavage and reduce its expression.

ATP stimulates appetite by enhancing the expression of hypothalamic orexigenic neuropeptides.

Hypothalamic neuropeptides play a pivotal role in regulating appetite and energy homeostasis. Extracellular ATP, a key signaling molecule in the hypothalamus, is associated with neuronal activity and metabolic processes. However, its role in appetite control remains unclear.

Adenosine transmission from hypothalamic tanycytes to AGRP/NPY neurons regulates energy homeostasis.

Tanycytes are a pivotal component of the hypothalamic network that controls energy homeostasis. Despite their importance, the regulatory mechanisms governing tanycyte-neuron interactions in response to metabolic signals remain unexplored. Here we report that adenosine signaling between tanycytes and AGRP/NPY neurons is crucial for tanycytic metabolic regulation mediated by translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO).

Efficacy and safety of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with heart failure according to kidney function: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction And Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors throughout the spectrum of kidney function in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods: This meta-analysis included randomized controlled trials comparing SGLT2 inhibitors with placebo in patients with HF stratified by renal function. Literature from inception to June 8, 2024 was searched.

Microbiome-emitted scents activate olfactory neuron-independent airway-gut-brain axis to promote host growth in Drosophila.

While it is now accepted that the microbiome has strong impacts on animal growth promotion, the exact mechanism has remained elusive. Here we show that microbiome-emitted scents contain volatile somatotrophic factors (VSFs), which promote host growth in an olfaction-independent manner in Drosophila. We found that inhaled VSFs are readily sensed by olfactory receptor 42b non-neuronally expressed in subsets of tracheal airway cells, enteroendocrine cells, and enterocytes.

Comparison of incidence, prevalence and death of aortic stenosis and aortic insufficiency in a nationwide Korean study.

Aims: Few studies have examined the incidence, prevalence, survival rate and death risk for non-rheumatic and rheumatic aortic stenosis (AS; RAS), aortic insufficiency (AR; RAR) and aortic stenosis with insufficiency (ASAR; RASAR). This study aims to identify the epidemiology of AS, AR, ASAR, RAS, RAR and RASAR.

Methods And Results: Data were collected from newly diagnosed non-rheumatic and rheumatic aortic valve disorders (AVD, ICD-10: I35 and I06, n = 101 895, female: male = 6:4) including AS, AR, ASAR, RAS, RAR and RASAR, excluding congenital heart disease.

Is early use of sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) necessary even in diabetic patients without cardiovascular disease: a prospective study regarding the effect of SGLT2i on left ventricular diastolic function.

Background: There are insufficient studies to determine whether sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) will help reduce early diabetic cardiomyopathy, especially in patients without documented cardiovascular disease.

Methods: We performed a single center, prospective observation study. A total of 90 patients with type 2 diabetes patients without established heart failure or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were enrolled.

Modulating vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype via Wnt-Independent FRZB pathways.

Background And Aims: Vascular smooth muscle cells are pivotal in atherosclerosis, transitioning from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype, which is associated with increased proliferation and inflammation. FRZB, a Wnt signaling modulator, has been implicated in vascular pathology, but its specific role in vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype modulation is not well understood. This study investigates the role of FRZB in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypes.

Uncovering NK cell sabotage in gut diseases via single cell transcriptomics.

The identification of immune environments and cellular interactions in the colon microenvironment is essential for understanding the mechanisms of chronic inflammatory disease. Despite occurring in the same organ, there is a significant gap in understanding the pathophysiology of ulcerative colitis (UC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Our study aims to address the distinct immunopathological response of UC and CRC.

Safety and Efficacy of Pivot-Balloon for Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation: The First-in-Man Experiences.

Background And Objectives: Among various emerging catheter-based treatments for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the spacer device can reduce the regurgitation orifice without manipulating the valve leaflet. However, its clinical application has been hampered by traumatic anchoring to the myocardium and the coaxial alignment of the balloon resulting in insufficient TR reduction. This study aimed to evaluate the early-stage safety, technical feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of the novel atraumatic vertical spacer in patients with isolated severe TR.

Significant Influence of Cardiac Radiation Dose on the Risk of Cardiotoxicity in Patients Receiving Adjuvant Trastuzumab and Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the incidence of cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity (CTRCVT) and identify the radiation dosimetric and clinical risk factors for these events in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer.

Methods And Materials: Data from 1378 patients who were treated with curative surgery and adjuvant trastuzumab for breast cancer were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 959 patients underwent postoperative radiation therapy (RT), whereas 419 patients were managed without RT (no-RT).

Comprehensive phenotypic assessment of nonsense mutations in mitochondrial ND5 in mice.

Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations has been implicated in various human diseases. A comprehensive analysis of mitochondrial genetic disorders requires suitable animal models for human disease studies. While gene knockout via premature stop codons is a powerful method for investigating the unique functions of target genes, achieving knockout of mtDNA has been rare.

Paired transcriptional analysis of periodontitis and peri-implantitis within same host: A pilot study.

Background: Peri-implantitis, a plaque-associated pathological condition, has been on the rise with the increasing prevalence of dental implants. Despite its similarities to periodontitis, peri‑implantitis is difficult to control completely and has high relapse rates. This has sparked interest in exploring the pathogenic differences between the two conditions.