Lactobacillus salivarius HHuMin-U attenuates vulvovaginal candidiasis via vaginal epithelial immune enhancement mediated by NF-κB activation.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), primarily caused by Candida albicans infection, is one of the most common diseases among women and leads to various symptoms that adversely impact quality of life. VVC is conventionally treated with antifungal agents, but the high recurrence rates and the risk of inducing vaginal microbiome dysbiosis pose major concerns in effective treatment. Probiotics with immune-enhancing properties can be an effective strategy by strengthening mucosal immunity and reducing susceptibility to infection.

NADPH Oxidase Inhibition Promotes Brain Resilience by Attenuating Tauopathy and Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) associates closely associated with the activation of NADPH oxidase (Nox) isozymes. CRB-2131, a novel oxadiazole derivative, is identified as a potently suppresses Nox isozymes. It inhibits reactive oxygen species production (ROS) by hippocampal neuronal and microglial cells and reduces microglial activation.

Exploring Neural Idiosyncrasies in Response to Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response Videos: Naturalistic Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Stress and Sensory Processing.

Background: Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) videos have been increasingly popularized as accessible tools for stress relief. Despite widespread media coverage promoting their benefits, empirical research on the neural mechanisms underlying ASMR remains limited, particularly in general, unselected populations rather than self-identified ASMR responders.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether ASMR videos, when viewed in a naturalistic context by a general population sample, elicit consistent neural synchrony in stress-related brain regions and whether individual differences in perceived stress predict variability in neural responses.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study on Probiotic Treatment for Halitosis: Novel Insights into Glucose and Phosphorus Metabolism.

Halitosis, or bad breath, is associated with oral microbial imbalances and the production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). While existing treatments target pathogenic bacteria or oral health indicators, they may not address the underlying systemic complexity. This study explored the efficacy of Complex OK oral probiotics containing Lactobacillus gasseri HHuMIN D and L.

Safety and Influenza Infections in Children Aged 6-35 Months Receiving Cell Culture-Derived Inactivated Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine During the 2023-2024 Influenza Season in South Korea.

Background/objectives: Influenza poses a significant risk for young children, particularly those under five. Cell culture-derived influenza vaccines offer advantages in reducing adaptive changes and mitigating egg allergy concerns. SKYCellflu quadrivalent has been in use since 2015, and this study aimed to assess its safety and influenza infections in children aged 6-35 months in South Korea.

Nanofabrication for Nanophotonics.

Nanofabrication, a pivotal technology at the intersection of nanoscale engineering and high-resolution patterning, has substantially advanced over recent decades. This technology enables the creation of nanopatterns on substrates crucial for developing nanophotonic devices and other applications in diverse fields including electronics and biosciences. Here, this mega-review comprehensively explores various facets of nanofabrication focusing on its application in nanophotonics.

Chromosome-level genome assembly and improved annotation of onion genome (Allium cepa L.).

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an economically valuable crop, but its large, repeat-enriched genome makes genome assembly difficult and limits molecular breeding and biological studies. Herein, we present a chromosomal-level reference genome assembly of the double-haploid onion line DHW30006, constructed by combining PacBio, Illumina, and Hi-C sequencing approaches.

Crucial Role of c-Myc/Monocarboxylate Transporter 4 Signaling in Capsaicin Induced Apoptotic and Anti-Warburg Effects in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Though Capsaicin from chili peppers was known to have antitumor effects in several cancers, the underlying antitumor pathogenesis of Capsaicin is not clear to date. Thus, the antitumor mechanism of Capsaicin was explored in Hep3B and Huh7 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in relation to c-Myc/monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) signaling. To elucidate the antitumor mechanism of capsaicin, cytotoxicity assay, cell cycle analysis, Western blotting, RT-qPCR, RNA interference, ELISA, immunoprecipitation, and mouse xenograft model were used in this work.

NADPH oxidase 4-SH3 domain-containing YSC84-like 1 complex participates liver inflammation and fibrosis.

There is growing evidence that NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) in hepatocytes contributes to liver inflammation and fibrosis during the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). However, how Nox4 is regulated and leads to liver pathogenesis is unclear. Our previous studies showed that the cytosolic protein SH3 domain-containing Ysc84-like 1 (SH3YL1) regulates Nox4 activity.

Tanshinone, a Natural NADPH Oxidase Inhibitor, Mitigates Testosterone-Induced Hair Loss.

Previous studies have shown that testosterone activates the GPRC6A-Duox1 axis, resulting in the production of HO which leads to the apoptosis of keratinocytes and ultimately hair loss. Here, we elucidated a molecular mechanism by which the non-genomic action of testosterone regulates cellular redox status in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Building upon this molecular understanding, we conducted a high-throughput screening assay of Nox inhibitors from a natural compounds library.

Synthesis of chiral gold helicoid nanoparticles using glutathione.

Chiral plasmonic nanostructures are in high demand because of their unique optical properties, which are applicable to polarization control, chiral sensing and biomedical applications. An easy and scalable synthesis method for these nanostructures may facilitate their development further. We have reported the synthesis for 432-symmetric chiral plasmonic nanoparticles by using a seed-mediated colloidal method facilitated by a chiral amino acid and peptides.

The Impact of Violent Media Content and Knowledge of Viable Responses to Cyberviolence on Good Citizenship Behavior Among South Korean Adolescents.

Exposure to cyberviolence among adolescents has become a societal issue in the media-saturated world. In this study, we examine whether or not exposure to violent media content, victimization or perpetration experiences, parental and teacher intervention, susceptibility, knowledge of viable responses when exposed to cyberviolence, and awareness of legal consequences influence the witnessing of cyberviolence among adolescents. Additionally, we investigate the characteristics that lead to good citizenship behavior when adolescents witness cyberviolence.

Helicoid Grating-Coupled Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor.

Ultrasensitive, rapid, and reliable biomolecular sensing is essential for biomedical diagnostics, requiring real-time monitoring and detection of trace samples. Optical sensing, particularly plasmonic biosensing, meets these demands through noninvasive, high-sensitivity detection based on the interaction between light and molecules. Here, we present novel plasmonic metamaterial-based sensing strategy, utilizing the circular dichroism (CD) response of grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance (SPR) from chiral nanoparticle grating structure (i.

Effects of Leaf Extracts from Genetic Resource of spp. on Neuroprotection and Anti-Neuroinflammation in HT22 and in BV2 Cells.

To develop functional varieties of spp. leaves, 40 genetic resources were collected and extracted with 30% aqueous-fermented ethanol. We investigated the protective effects of extracts from 40 genetic resources of spp.

Synthesis of Chiral Ag, Pd, and Pt Helicoids inside Chiral Silica Mold.

Chiral inorganic nanomaterials hold significant promise for various applications, including enantioselective catalysis, polarization-controlling optical devices, metamaterials, and enantioselective molecular sensors. In our previous work, we presented a method for synthesizing chiral Au 432 helicoid III (Au helicoids) from peptides and amino acids, where helical gaps are intricately arranged with 432 symmetry within single cubic nanoparticles. In this study, we have achieved the fabrication of chiral silica molds through Au etching subsequent to the silica coating of Au helicoids.

Association between the safety climate and occupational injury in the Korean working population: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Preventing occupational injuries remains a significant challenge in Korea. A positive safety climate can contribute to reducing workplace injuries. However, the impact of safety climate on preventing occupational injuries among the Korean workforce has not been adequately explored.

Sex-specific survival gene mutations are discovered as clinical predictors of clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Although sex differences have been reported in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), biological sex has not received clinical attention and genetic differences between sexes are poorly understood. This study aims to identify sex-specific gene mutations and explore their clinical significance in ccRCC. We used data from The Cancer Genome Atlas-Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (TCGA-KIRC), The Renal Cell Cancer-European Union (RECA-EU) and Korean-KIRC.

The Relationship between Cyber Violence and Cyber Sex Crimes: Understanding the Perception of Cyber Sex Crimes as Systemic Issues.

This study examines the relationship between cyber violence and cyber sex crimes, specifically focusing on these crimes as systemic issues among adolescents. The research highlights the severe impact of cyber sex crimes, characterized by the non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit content. It examines various factors that may contribute to witnessing cyber sex crimes, including exposure to violent online content, personal experiences of cyber violence (either as a victim or perpetrator), and the role of parental and teacher interventions.

Discovery and Validation of Survival-Specific Genes in Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma Using a Customized Next-Generation Sequencing Gene Panel.

Purpose: Papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC), the second most common kidney cancer, is morphologically, genetically, and molecularly heterogeneous with diverse clinical manifestations. Genetic variations of PRCC and their association with survival are not yet well-understood. This study aimed to identify and validate survival-specific genes in PRCC and explore their clinical utility.

Commuting time, working time, and their link to insomnia symptoms among Korean employees: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: Although commuting time is an extension of working hours, few studies have examined the relationship between commuting time and insomnia symptoms in relation to working time. Thus, this study investigated the relationship between commuting time and working time and their link to sleep disturbance.

Methods: This study included employees with ≥35 weekly working hours (n = 30,458) using data from the Sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey conducted in Korea between October 2020 and April 2021.

Vicarious punishment of moral violations in naturalistic drama narratives predicts cortical synchronization.

Punishment of moral norm violators is instrumental for human cooperation. Yet, social and affective neuroscience research has primarily focused on second- and third-party norm enforcement, neglecting the neural architecture underlying observed (vicarious) punishment of moral wrongdoers. We used naturalistic television drama as a sampling space for observing outcomes of morally-relevant behaviors to assess how individuals cognitively process dynamically evolving moral actions and their consequences.