The Role of β-Core Fragment hCG in Embryo Implantation and Early Pregnancy.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a pregnancy biomarker, and five forms of this hormone are involved in female physiological regulation. β-core fragment hCG (bcf-hCG) is a fragment of hCG whose biological role in female reproduction has not been completely elucidated. This study aimed to investigate its role in embryo implantation and maintenance of a pregnancy-supportive environment.

Bifacially Engineered Perovskite-Based Synaptic Memristors Achieve High Linearity and Symmetricity for Accurate and Robust Neuromorphic Computing.

Achieving both high linearity and symmetricity in metal halide perovskite (MHP)-based memristors remains challenging, primarily due to their abrupt switching behaviors and irregular conductive filament (CF) pathways. Here, bifacially engineered MHP memristors exhibiting simultaneous high linearity, symmetricity, and reliability are reported. Top-surface passivation using phenylethylammonium iodide (PEAI) facilitates the formation of an ultrathin 2D perovskite layer (PEAPbI), promoting gradual switching and effectively suppressing ion migration during CF formation, thereby significantly enhancing the linearity of long-term potentiation.

MIT-001 ameliorates ferroptosis-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and enhances embryo quality in preimplantation embryos from aged female mice.

Advanced maternal age is closely associated with reduced oocyte and embryo quality, impaired mitochondrial function, and decreased implantation potential. Ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, has emerged as a key contributor to the age-related decline in reproductive capacity. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of mitochondria-targeted 001 (MIT-001), a novel anti-ferroptosis agent, to improve the quality of preimplantation embryos derived from aged female mice.

Impact of an Evidence-Based Large Language Model (LLM) Diagnostic Decision Support System: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) influences clinical decision-making in healthcare by analyzing medical data and proposing personalized treatment options based on patient records. However, generative AI limited due to its inability to provide accurate evidence. Therefore, this study aims that the influence of AI-generated diagnostic suggestions on emergency healthcare providers' diagnostic patterns and decision-making, and evaluates the correlation between clinicians' adoption and diagnosis accuracy.

Phenotype augmentation using generative AI for isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation prediction in glioma.

This study investigated the effects of feature augmentation, which uses generated images with specific imaging features, on the performance of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation prediction models in gliomas. A total of 598 patients were included from our institution (310 training, 152 internal test) and the Cancer Genome Atlas (136 external test). Score-based diffusion models were used to generate T2-weighted, FLAIR, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted image triplets.

Cell viability measured by cytotoxicity assay as a biomarker of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation: a prospective cohort study.

Acute severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is related to high mortality; however, a robust blood biomarker for COPD exacerbation has not been established. Impaired clearance of apoptotic cells is a possible pathogenesis of COPD development. We evaluated the clinical utility of serum cell viability as a predictive biomarker for COPD exacerbation.

NAC controls nascent chain fate through tunnel sensing and chaperone action.

The nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC) is a conserved ribosome-bound factor with essential yet incompletely understood roles in protein biogenesis. Here, we show that NAC is a multifaceted regulator that coordinates translation elongation, cotranslational folding, and organelle targeting through distinct interactions with nascent polypeptides both inside and outside the ribosome exit tunnel. Using NAC-selective ribosome profiling in , we identify thousands of sequence-specific NAC binding events across the nascent proteome, revealing broad cotranslational engagement with hydrophobic and helical motifs in cytosolic, nuclear, ER, and mitochondrial proteins.

Altered translation elongation contributes to key hallmarks of aging in the killifish brain.

Aging is a major risk factor for neurodegeneration and is characterized by diverse cellular and molecular hallmarks. To understand the origin of these hallmarks, we studied the effects of aging on the transcriptome, translatome, and proteome in the brain of short-lived killifish. We identified a cascade of events in which aberrant translation pausing led to altered abundance of proteins independently of transcriptional regulation.

BACES score: a predictor of health-related quality of life and associated factors in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease.

The evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is gaining importance among patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). We assessed whether the BACES score reflects HRQOL and associated factors in these patients. Data were collected from the nationwide NTM-KOREA prospective cohort of patients with NTM-PD who started antibiotic treatment and included symptoms, Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis (QOL-B) questionnaire, nutritional status using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), physical activity, body composition, spirometry, handgrip strength, and 6-min walking distance.

Whole genome DNA methylation patterns in tissue and cfDNA associated with fibrosis reflect the complex signature of MASLD.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) can progress to steatohepatitis, being associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and immune cell interactions. Recent studies have reported an association between DNA methylation (DNAm) and MASLD. However, the relationship between DNAm and MASLD-related fibrosis is limited to liver tissue alone or focused on particular CpG sites.

A novel yeast-derived aldehyde-reducing compound MF001 protects against alcohol-induced liver damage.

Alcohol-induced fatty liver disease is a significant contributor to global mortality, primarily resulting from excessive alcohol consumption and subsequent hepatic damage. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of MF001, an aldehyde-reducing compound derived from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in alcohol-induced liver damage. Using a Lieber-DeCarli ethanol diet-induced live disease model, we assessed the effects of MF001 on lipogenesis, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Tuberculosis-Associated Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is influenced by multiple factors. Varying prevalences of tuberculosis-associated COPD exist. However, studies on its incidence or risk factors are limited.

IRF3-p300 axis controls global acetylation and mitotic progression.

Accurate mitotic progression depends on precisely regulated post-translational modifications, including lysine acetylation, but the upstream mechanisms governing acetylation during mitosis remain unclear. Here, we identify the IRF3-p300 axis as a major regulator of global protein acetylation during mitosis. We show that p300 serves as the major lysine acetyltransferase active during mitosis, and its enzymatic activity is essential for proper cell division.

Liver Receptor Homolog-1 Deficiency Impairs Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease Owing to Decrease of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family Member B1 Gene Expression.

Ethanol is detoxified in the liver, and its intake causes hepatic lipid accumulation. The liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1) regulates lipid and bile acid metabolism, but its role in ethanol metabolism remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between ethanol-induced lipid accumulation and LRH-1.

Minimizing eye lens radiation exposure using lens tracking in neurointerventional procedures: retrospective clinical and phantom study.

Background: The eye lens is particularly vulnerable to radiation during endovascular treatments for intracranial aneurysms due to prolonged exposure under high magnification. This study presents a lens tracking method to monitor lens positions during procedures and estimate radiation doses using a phantom.

Methods: A consecutive series of patients treated between January and March 2023 were retrospectively reviewed.

Microtubule Integrity Is Associated with Mitochondrial Function and Quality of Murine Preimplantation Embryos.

Poor embryo quality is a major cause of poor clinical outcomes in assisted reproductive medicine, and there are no currently available interventions that can improve embryo quality. Mitochondria dysfunction is linked to low-quality female gametes and zygotes. Previously, microtubule integrity was also associated with mitochondrial function in oocytes.

Factors that predict progression of von Hippel-Lindau disease-related malignancy: a longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Von Hippel-Lindau (vHL) disease encompasses various genetic subtypes with poorly defined progression patterns. This retrospective study of a longitudinal cohort aimed to characterize follow-up duration, treatment rates, and progression patterns according to genomic subtype, and to identify risk factors for progression.

Methods: Between June 2003 and June 2020, the study enrolled 94 patients (mean age, 37.

Physical Fitness Benchmarks for Preschool Children in South Korea: A Population-Based Study.

: Physical fitness is vital for children's development and future health. However, Asian preschool-aged populations lack robust physical fitness benchmarks. : This study aimed to establish age- and sex-specific physical fitness reference values for Korean preschool children and examine associations with anthropometric measures.

Neurotrophic Receptor Tyrosine Kinase 3 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Breast Cancer Using Bioinformatic Analysis.

: Neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 3 () is a member of the tropomyosin receptor kinase family of receptor tyrosine kinases, which play a crucial role in neural development. However, owing to the limited number of studies about and cancer, we aimed to investigate as a potential prognostic marker for breast cancer (BC). : We conducted a comprehensive analysis of expression in BC using the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases.

Soil temperature and respiration dataset from Mt. Namsan: Long-term projection and its implications under SSP climate scenarios.

This study presents a comprehensive dataset of soil temperature and respiration measurements from Mt. Namsan, South Korea, collected between 2009 and 2010, with estimated values for 2011 to 2020 and projections for 2021 to 2100 under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) climate scenarios ranging from SSP1-2.6 to SSP5-8.

Bimetallic MOFBased Hybrid Platform with Dual Stimuli-Responsiveness for Sustained Release and Enhanced Retention.

Pesticide delivery carriers provide protection against pathogens but face significant challenges, including limited loading capacity, rapid release rates, and inconsistent performance. To address these issues, this study develops a dual-stimuli-responsive pesticide delivery carrier, featuring an iron-copper bimetal-organic framework (Fe-Cu MOF) supported on diatomaceous earth (DE) and coated with lauric acid (LA). Here, DE serves as a biocompatible scaffold, enhancing the adhesion and retention of MOF particles at target sites, thereby improving the pesticide localization and delivery efficiency.

Mechanistic Insights into Protein Biogenesis and Maturation on the Ribosome.

The ribosome is a major cellular machine that converts genetic information into biological function. Emerging data show that the ribosome is not only a protein synthesis machine, but also participates in the maturation of the nascent protein into properly folded and active molecules. The ribosome surface near the opening of the polypeptide exit tunnel can interact directly with the newly synthesized proteins and, more importantly, provides a platform where numerous protein biogenesis factors assemble, gain access to the nascent chain, and direct them into diverse biogenesis pathways.

Efficacy of Portable Ultrasonography for Early Detection of Pneumothorax Following Lung Biopsy.

Background: Pneumothorax is a notable complication of lung biopsy, and its early detection is crucial. This study aimed to compare the sensitivities of handheld portable lung ultrasonography and chest radiography in identifying early pneumothorax post-lung biopsy.

Methods: Upright chest radiography and lung ultrasonography were conducted at 3 and 24 hours following lung biopsy.

Clinical and Prognostic Value of VHL in Korean Patients with Rectal Cancer.

: Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is caused by mutations in the VHL gene and can develop various cancers. Hypoxia-inducible factors 1 and 2 alphas, regulated by the VHL gene, can increase the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, thereby activating cancer progression. Here, we demonstrated clinical and prognostic values of VHL expression in rectal cancer (RC).