Tumour-specific delivery of ω-conotoxin MVIIA via engineered Salmonella for safe anticancer therapy.

Introduction: Solid tumours present a significant treatment challenge owing to the poor penetration of therapeutics into the tumour core. Bacteria offer a unique solution to this problem because they can selectively target tumours and proliferate within the tumour microenvironment.

Methods: In this study, we engineered Salmonella typhimurium to deliver MVIIA, a ω-conotoxin that inhibits N-type calcium channels.

Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Dynamics as Predictors of Clinical Outcomes in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) profoundly disrupts the gut microbiome and metabolome, which in turn influence immune-related complications and patient outcomes. To systematically characterize these perturbations, we performed a longitudinal analysis of fecal microbiota composition and metabolite profiles in HSCT recipients at three critical timepoints: pre-transplant (T1), peri-transplant (T2), and post-transplant (T3). We observed that reduced microbial diversity at T1 and T3 was strongly associated with increased incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), progressive disease (PD), and decreased overall survival (OS).

Nanoshield-Assisted Viral Gene Therapy with Induction of Non-Apoptotic Cell Death and Durable Antitumor Immunity.

Non-apoptotic cell death have emerged as promising strategies to overcome apoptotic resistance in cancer therapy. We suggest a hybrid gene delivery platform integrating adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression of receptor-interacting kinase 3(RIPK3) with manganese dioxide-polyethyleneimine (MnO-PEI) to induce necroptosis and immunogenic cell death (ICD), thereby remodeling the tumor microenvironment and enhancing antitumor immunity. This platform combines high transduction efficiency with the tumor-accumulation ability and immunostimulatory potential of non-viral carriers.

Classification of shoulder diseases in older adult patients: a narrative review.

This review classifies and summarizes the major shoulder diseases affecting older adults, focusing on rotator cuff disease, frozen shoulder, osteoarthritis, and shoulder instability. It explores each condition's pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies to guide clinicians in optimizing patient outcomes and enhancing quality of life. Age-related degenerative changes, comorbidities, and distinct etiological factors contribute to the presentation of shoulder disorders in older adults.

Advanced Nanoparticle Therapeutics for Targeting Neutrophils in Inflammatory Diseases.

Neutrophils, the most abundant leukocytes in human blood, play a critical role in the initial response to acute infection and injury. Activated neutrophils exert three primary effector functions: phagocytosis, degranulation of proteolytic enzymes into pericellular spaces, and generation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). However, dysregulated neutrophil function can lead to tissue damage and inflammation, resulting in organ dysfunction that ultimately contributes to the progression of various diseases.

Synthesis of thiazolo[4,5-]pyrimidine derivatives based on purine solid-phase synthesis.

Solid-phase synthesis was employed to construct a library of thiazolo[4,5-]pyrimidine derivatives. The free amide at the 5-position of the thiazole, which was previously difficult to introduce the Thorpe-Ziegler reaction, was successfully optimized in solid-phase synthesis using a 2,4-dimethoxy-substituted scaffold, and using iodine as a catalyst, the reaction with aldehyde successfully synthesized thiazolo-pyrimidinone derivatives. To synthesize thiazolo[4,5-]pyrimidine derivatives, the direct amination reaction using BOP was successfully optimized.

Therapeutic Glypican-3 CRISPR Genome-Editing Using UltraLarge Porous Silica Nano-Depot for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a key diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), interacting with Wnt and Hippo/YAP pathways related to cancer proliferation. Modulating GPC3 gene expression can induce liver cancer cell death by disrupting growth factor signaling, cell adhesion, and metabolic regulation. This study presents the development of a non-viral ultralarge porous CRISPR-Cas9 silica nano-depot to perform targeted GPC3 genome editing for the treatment of HCC.

Dual-phoretic wireless device for directionally oriented and carrier-free targeted drug delivery.

Drug localization, release control, and penetration into solid tissues through biological tight junctions are crucial for the treatment of localized diseases with biological barriers by maximizing therapeutic efficacy of the drug and minimizing damage to normal organs. Here, we introduce a dual-phoretic wireless drug delivery system that harnesses the physical control of ion transportation: electrophoresis for controllable release and iontophoresis for directional penetration. Adjustable, pulsatile, and repeatable drug release under biological conditions is achieved using ion diodes and Zn-based electrochemical cells.

Evaluation of Safety of Disposable Saliva Ejectors after Autoclaving Sterilisation.

Purpose: To identify the bacteria and proteins that remain after cleaning and sterilisation of SEs used in dental practices, and to investigate potential problems when reusing SEs.

Materials And Methods: In total, 105 SEs used on study participants were collected. The collected SEs were immediately immersed in the disinfectant solution and then washed with tap water and a cleaning brush.

Nivolumab Plus Chemotherapy Versus Placebo Plus Chemotherapy in Korean Patients with HER2-Negative, Untreated, Unresectable Advanced or Recurrent Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer: Subgroup Analysis of a Randomized, Multicenter, Double-Blind Phase 3 Trial (ATTRACTION-4).

Purpose: We report the safety and efficacy of nivolumab + chemotherapy for first-line treatment of advanced or recurrent gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer in the Korean subpopulation of the ATTRACTION-4 clinical trial.

Materials And Methods: ATTRACTION-4 (NCT02746796) was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of patients aged ≥20 years with histologically confirmed unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. Patients received nivolumab or placebo, both combined with physician-choice chemotherapy (oxaliplatin plus oral S-1 [tegafur‒gimeracil‒oteracil] [SOX] or oral capecitabine [CAPOX]).

Renal hyperfiltration as risk factor of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The potential interaction between the heart and kidneys is thought to contribute to the development of renal hyperfiltration (RHF). However, the clinical implications of RHF remain unclear in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A total of 9561 AMI patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 60 mL/min/1.

Identifying Reference Groups in Social Norms Campaigns Intended to Promote College Students' Mental Health Help-Seeking in South Korea.

This study examines which types of perceived social norms are strongly associated with professional mental health help-seeking (PMHS), and whether and how such associations are moderated by evaluative identification among college students. We conducted an online survey with 638 Korean adults. Results show that general college students' perceived injunctive norms (.

Chronic exposure to organochlorine pesticide mixture induces type 2 diabetes mellitus-associated metabolic dysregulation in C57BL/6J mice.

Epidemiological studies have revealed a correlation between a long-term exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, supportive evidence from pathological studies in rodent models remains limited. In this study, we addressed this gap by investigating the metabolic effects of a defined OCP mixture (OCPM)-hexachlorobenzene, β-hexachlorocyclohexane, p,p՛-DDT, heptachlor, and chlordane (1:1:1:1:1) was administered orally to C57BL/6J mice at doses of 0.

Combined splenectomy and robotic subtotal gastrectomy with short gastric vessel salvation for gastric cancer with SANT of the spleen: A case report.

Introduction And Importance: Surgical methods to treat gastric cancer are quite straightforward. However, in rare cases of gastric cancer accompanied by a splenic mass that requires splenectomy, treatment options become much more complicated. Splenectomy can effectively treat splenic masses, but without adequate salvation of vessels, could increase the risk of ischemic necrosis if simultaneously performed with distal subtotal gastrectomy.

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.

Parabens, bisphenols, and other environmental phenols exposure from cosmetics use in Korean adolescent girls: Findings from a 2-day intervention study.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as bisphenols, parabens, and benzophenones, are commonly found in personal care products (PCPs) and pose a significant public health concern, particularly in adolescent girls. This study aimed to investigate the association between PCP use and urinary concentrations of environmental phenols in Korean adolescent girls, focusing on the potential role of PCPs as a major source of EDC exposure. A total of 112 female adolescents (aged 13-17 years) were recruited to examine the associations between urinary concentrations of parabens, bisphenols, benzophenones, and other environmental phenols and the self-reported frequency of PCP use (e.

Engineering Bacterial Secretion Systems for Enhanced Tumor Imaging and Surgical Guidance.

Current imaging techniques suffer from a lack of specificity and resolution, leading to inaccurate tumor imaging and limited applicability of targeted contrast agents, as they require cancer-specific development. The need for enhanced contrast through improved tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) and the toxicity from repeated injections due to fading fluorescent signals further complicate the issue. Additionally, challenges in visualizing the entire 3D tumor with surface-stained contrast agents highlight the demand for advanced imaging solutions for more precise surgical guidance.

reverses neuronal atrophy in knockout mice with depression-like phenotypes.

Genetic predispositions can shape the gut microbiome, which in turn modulates host gene expression and impacts host physiology. The complex interplay between host genetics and the gut microbiome likely contributes to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders, yet the mechanisms behind these interactions remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the gut microbiota in knockout (KO) mice, which exhibit anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, as NEGR1 (neuronal growth regulator 1) is a cell adhesion molecule linked to neuronal development and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Controlled Magnesium Ion Delivery via Mg-Sputtered Nerve Conduit for Enhancing Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.

Autologous nerve grafting remains the gold standard for treating peripheral nerve injuries; however, it is constrained by limited donor nerve availability, the need for secondary surgeries, and sensory loss at the donor site. Biodegradable material-based nerve conduits have emerged as a promising alternative to address these limitations and enhance nerve regeneration. Among these materials, magnesium stands out due to its exceptional biocompatibility, biofunctionality, and neuroprotective properties.

Nature-inspired surface modification strategies for implantable devices.

Medical and implantable devices are essential instruments in contemporary healthcare, improving patient quality of life and meeting diverse clinical requirements. However, ongoing problems such as bacterial colonization, biofilm development, foreign body responses, and insufficient device-tissue adhesion hinder the long-term effectiveness and stability of these devices. Traditional methods to alleviate these issues frequently prove inadequate, necessitating the investigation of nature-inspired alternatives.

Gene Set Enrichment Analysis in Zebrafish Embryos Is Susceptible to False-Positive Results in the Absence of Differentially Expressed Genes.

High-throughput gene expression studies commonly employ pathway analyses to infer biological meaning from lists of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). In toxicology and pharmacology studies, treatment groups are analysed against vehicle controls to identify DEGs and altered pathways. Previously, we empirically quantified false-positive rates of DEGs in gene expression data from pools of vehicle-treated zebrafish embryos to determine appropriate study designs (sample and pool size).

Exploiting Bacterial Shuttles: Enhancing Deep Tissue Delivery of Nanoparticles for Targeted Cancer Therapy.

Cancer, a leading cause of death, poses challenges for chemotherapy due to limited selective accumulation. Targeted approaches and nanoparticles exploit enhanced permeability but face obstacles in effective delivery. Bacteria, historically effective for cancer targeting, show promise as carriers for nanoparticles, overcoming deep tissue hindrances.

Postoperative Corticosteroid Injection After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair in Patients With Stiffness Has Similar Clinical Outcome Compared With Repair Combined With Capsular Release: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To investigate whether 2 months of a postoperative intra-articular corticosteroid injection after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) in rotator cuff tear (RCT) patients with stiffness would improve the functional scores and range of motion of the operated shoulder without capsular release during ARCR.

Methods: From March 2020 to September 2021, a total of 73 patients who had RCT with stiffness and were scheduled for ARCR were enrolled prospectively and randomly allocated into 2 groups. The patients who underwent ARCR with capsular release were allocated to group 1 (n = 37).

Synthesis of a Natural Product-Based 5-Thiazolo[5',4':5,6]pyrido[2,3-]indole Derivative via Solid-Phase Synthesis.

The solid-phase synthesis method is optimized for building chemical libraries. Furthermore, chemical libraries are essential tools in drug discovery used to identify hit compounds. We constructed a 5-thiazolo[5',4':5,6]pyrido[2,3-]indole derivative library using solid-phase synthesis.