Mouse Tumor Tissue-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Induce Angiogenesis Through VEGF Production From Macrophages.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized, spherical, and lipid bilayered particles secreted by most types of cells. Tumor microenvironment is a complex system and highly regulated by dynamic interaction of cancer cells with stromal cells, such as immune cells and endothelial cells. Angiogenesis, a process of new capillary formation from pre-existing vasculatures, plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression by providing oxygen and nutrients to proliferating cancer cells.

Relationship of urinary bisphenol A in childhood on thyroid hormone function in adolescents: a cohort study.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a type of endocrine-disrupting chemical utilized in the production of plastics like epoxy resins and polycarbonate polymers. BPA exhibits weak estrogenic and potent anti-androgenic effects, and prior research has linked it to disturbances in thyroid function. This study aims to assess the potential association between early childhood exposure to urinary bisphenol A and thyroid hormone levels in pubertal children from Korea.

Impact of Elevated Troponin Level at the Time of Sepsis Recognition on the Clinical Outcomes: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study.

Background: Sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction, known as septic cardiomyopathy, is a common complication associated with increased mortality. Cardiac troponins serve as markers for myocardial injury and are frequently elevated in patients with sepsis. However, the role of troponin elevation at sepsis recognition in risk stratification remains controversial.

An exploratory multi-omics study reveals distinct molecular signatures of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and their correlation with disease activity.

Clinically heterogeneous spectrum and molecular phenotypes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain to be comprehensively elucidated. This exploratory multi-omics study investigated the serum molecular profiles of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), in association with elevated fecal calprotectin and disease activity states. The serum proteome, metabolome, and lipidome of 75 treated IBD patients were profiled.

A walk through the development of human leukocyte antigen typing: from serologic techniques to next-generation sequencing.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a group of glycoproteins encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) that plays a pivotal role in the host's immune defense. Given that the MHC represents the most polymorphic region in the human genome, HLA typing is crucial in organ transplantation. It significantly influences graft rejection, graft-versus-host disease, and the overall patient outcome by mediating the discrimination between self and nonself.

The HLA-B*51:377N Allele Identified in a Volunteer Donor for Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant.

HLA-B*51:377N differs from HLA-B*51:01:01:01 in codon 13 in exon 2.

The HLA-B*40:523 Allele Identified in a Volunteer Donor for Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant.

HLA-B*40:523 differs from HLA-B*40:92 in codon 167 in exon 3.

The HLA-B*37:107 Allele Identified in a Volunteer Donor for Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant.

HLA-B*37:107 differs from HLA-B*37:01:01:01 in codon 25 in exon 2.

The HLA-B*27:264 Allele Identified in a Volunteer Donor for Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant.

HLA-B*27:264 differs from HLA-B*27:05:02:01 in codon 49 in exon 2.

The HLA-A*31:217 Allele Identified in a Volunteer Donor for Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant.

HLA-A*31:217 differs from HLA-A*31:01:02:01 in codon 37 in exon 2.

Distributions of MICA and MICB Alleles Typed by Amplicon-Based Next-Generation Sequencing in South Koreans.

Major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related genes A and B (MICA and MICB) play a role as ligands in activating the NKG2D receptor expressed in natural killer cells, γδ T-cells and αβ CD8 T-cells and have been defined in human diseases and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). MICA and MICB alleles were genotyped at the three-field level by amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) using a MiSeqDx system and compared with the results from previous studies in healthy South Korean donors. Exons 2-5 of MICA and exons 2-4 of MICB were amplified using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Nursing care services to address unmet supportive care needs among cancer survivors: a systematic review.

Background: The increasing population of cancer survivors poses a significant challenge for healthcare systems globally, necessitating comprehensive post-treatment care to address diverse physical, psychological, and social needs.

Objective: This systematic review aims to synthesize and critically evaluate the current evidence concerning the unmet needs for nursing services among cancer survivors, spanning various dimensions of survivorship care.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted across major databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, to identify relevant studies investigating the unmet needs and health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) of nursing services led by nurses among cancer survivors.

[Impact of Anthropometric Indices of Obesity on the Risk of Incident Hypertension in Adults with Prehypertension: A Secondary Analysis of a Cohort Study].

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of anthropometric indices of obesity (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, waist hip ratio, and body fat percentage) on the incidence of hypertension in adults with prehypertension.

Methods: A longitudinal study design using secondary data form the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study was employed. The study included 1,838 adults with prehypertension tracked every two years from 2001 to 2018.

Association of KIR Genes with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection in South Koreans.

Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a lower respiratory tract disease caused by a beta coronavirus (CoV) called MERS-CoV, characterized by a high mortality rate. We aimed to evaluate the association between genetic variation in killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and the risk of MERS in South Koreans.

Methods: KIR genes were genotyped by multiplex polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP).

Prioritization of Injury Prevention and Management Programs and Research and Development (R&D) Projects: Survey Using the Delphi Technique and Analytic Hierarchy Process.

We prioritized injury prevention and management programs, and research and development (R&D) projects using the Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for national plan. We summarized 21 programs and 31 R&D projects based on opinions collected in the opinion survey and brainstorming. Expert panel evaluated program and project relevance in the two Delphi rounds to make consensus.

Cancer risk based on alcohol consumption levels: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Alcohol consumption is a well-established risk factor for cancer. Despite extensive research into the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer risk, the effect of light alcohol consumption on cancer risk remains a topic of debate. To contribute to this discourse, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Development of cost-effective and fast KIR genotyping by multiplex PCR-SSP.

Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) control natural killer (NK) cell functions by recognizing HLA molecules and modulating the activity of NK cells. The KIR gene cluster contains polymorphic and highly homologous genes. Diversity of the KIR region is achieved through differences in gene content, allelic polymorphism, and gene copy number, which result in unrelated individuals having different KIR genotypes and individualized immune responses that are relevant to multiple aspects of human health and disease.

Understanding the Role of M13 Bacteriophage Thin Films on a Metallic Nanostructure through a Standard and Dynamic Model.

The dynamic and surface manipulation of the M13 bacteriophage via the meeting application demands the creation of a pathway to design efficient applications with high selectivity and responsivity rates. Here, we report the role of the M13 bacteriophage thin film layer that is deposited on an optical nanostructure involving gold nanoparticles/SiO/Si, as well as its influence on optical and geometrical properties. The thickness of the M13 bacteriophage layer was controlled by varying either the concentration or humidity exposure levels, and optical studies were conducted.

Effect of music on colonoscopy performance: A propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: Music has been used to reduce stress and improve task performance during medical therapy.

Aim: To assess the effects of music on colonoscopy performance outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent colonoscopy performed by four endoscopists with popular music.

The effect of biological agent on body composition in patients with Crohn's disease.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with altered body composition, affecting clinical outcomes. We evaluated the impact of biologics on body composition in CD patients.

Methods: This multicenter longitudinal study across four Korean university hospitals conducted from January 2009 to August 2021 retrospectively reviewed data of CD patients with abdominal computed tomography (CT) before and after the biologic treatment.

Distributions of 11-loci HLA alleles typed by amplicon-based next-generation sequencing in South Koreans.

The range of HLA typing for successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is gradually expanding with the next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based improvement in its quality. However, it is influenced by the allocation of finances and laboratory conditions. HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1/3/4/5, -DQA1, -DQB1, -DPA1, and -DPB1 alleles were genotyped at the 3-field level by amplicon-based NGS using MiSeqDx system and compared to our previous study employing long-range PCR and NGS using TruSight HLA v2 kit, in healthy donors from South Korea.