Effects of light wavelength on oocyte maturation, parthenogenesis, and parthenogenetic embryo development in pigs.

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to generate developmentally competent oocytes necessitates light exposure due to the use of microscopes. Previous studies in several species have reported that the wavelength of light during the light exposure period is a critical factor in embryo development. However, the effects of different light wavelengths on embryo development in pigs remain unexplored.

Association of retinal layer thickness with brain volume and cortical thickness in older adults.

This study explored associations between macular retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, brain volume, and cortical thickness in older adults. A total of 166 community-dwelling participants over 65 years old (mean 75.2 ± 5.

Variability of bulb morpho-geometrical properties in onion ( L.) germplasm collections, using digital imaging tools.

Background: Phenotypic characterization of onion germplasm is requisite for designing breeding programs, and for meeting industrial processing, and marketing demands. Onion bulb morphology, and geometrical properties, which are the physical and spatial dimensions and shape characteristics influence consumer and market demand, as well as suitability for processing and mechanizing post-harvest handling. Many previous studies employed manual tools such as Vernier calipers for measurement of onion bulb parameters, which is time-consuming.

Development and validation of a risk prediction model for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma receiving atezolizumab-bevacizumab.

Background And Aims: Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (AB) has become the standard first-line treatment for advanced HCC. However, identifying reliable prognostic biomarkers remains a critical challenge. We aimed to develop a comprehensive scoring system to predict overall survival (OS) in advanced HCC patients receiving first-line AB.

Peripheral blood inflammatory score using a cytokine multiplex assay predicts clinical outcomes in patients treated with atezolizumab-bevacizumab for unresectable HCC.

Background: Several serum cytokines have been proposed as biomarkers for predicting the outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors. However, their role in atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (AB) treatment needs to be more elucidated.

Methods: We examined various serum cytokines, including interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-12, IL-17, IL-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor, using a Luminex cytokine multiplex assay before AB treatment in prospectively enrolled 116 AB-treatment patients for the derivation cohort and 54 patients for the external validation cohort.

Unraveling SNAP: distinct patterns of early neurodegeneration through MRI texture analysis.

Aim: Suspected non-Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology (SNAP) is a condition characterized by neurodegeneration in the absence of amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, posing challenges for early diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate the progression of neurodegeneration in SNAP through the analysis of brain MRI volume and texture.

Methods: The study included 449 amyloid-negative participants categorized into three groups: cognitively normal without neurodegeneration (N-CN), cognitively normal with neurodegeneration (N + CN), and MCI with neurodegeneration (N + MCI).

Prediction of long-term HBsAg seroclearance in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.

Background & Aims: Predicting the long-term HBsAg seroclearance, an ideal endpoint, is relevant for decision-making regarding antiviral therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to identify predictors and develop a prediction model for HBsAg seroclearance in patients with HBeAg-negative CHB.

Methods: A total of 2,032 untreated HBeAg-negative patients who underwent a 2-year baseline observation period were enrolled.

Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba supplementation on clinical outcomes in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing global health concern linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and premature mortality. Ginkgo biloba has shown potential therapeutic benefits in conditions characterized by metabolic dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the potential protective effects of Ginkgo biloba supplementation on overall survival (OS) and the incidence of cardiovascular and renal outcomes specifically in MASLD patients.

Subset of Child-Pugh Score 7 Shows Comparable Survival Outcomes to Child-Pugh Score 6 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Treated with Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab.

Purpose: Given the limited data on the effectiveness of Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab (Ate/Bev) in HCC patients with a Child-Pugh score (CPS) of 7, this study aims to evaluate the treatment's efficacy in this population and identify specific CPS 7 subgroups that may benefit from it.

Experimental Design: This study included patients with advanced HCC who received Ate/Bev as first-line therapy between September 2020 and December 2023 at seven university hospitals. The primary outcome was OS, while secondary outcomes included PFS and treatment response.

Differential Infiltration of T-Cell Populations in Tumor and Liver Tissues Predicts Recurrence-Free Survival in Surgically Resected Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

: Liver and tumor-infiltrating T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are heterogeneous, comprising the CD69 tissue-resident T-cell and the CD69 circulating T-cell populations. However, the impact of these distinct T-cell populations on patient prognosis is unclear; hence, further studies are needed. : Tumor and distant liver tissues from 57 HCC patients with various chronic liver disease etiologies were analyzed.

A sleep-based risk model for predicting dementia: Development and validation in a Korean cohort.

BackgroundDementia is a major public health challenge, yet existing prediction models often overlook sleep-related symptoms, despite their known links to cognitive decline.ObjectiveTo develop and validate a four-year Dementia Risk Score (DRS) incorporating self-reported sleep-related symptoms with demographic and clinical factors to predict all-cause dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.MethodsData from 3082 Korean adults aged 60-79 years were analyzed.

A comprehensive analysis of the impact of smoking on adverse clinical outcomes of steatotic liver diseases.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is an increasingly prevalent liver disorder.

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of smoking status on various clinical outcomes in MASLD and metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD).

Design: This study is a retrospective cohort analysis utilizing data from the UK Biobank (Application ID: 117214).

Asymmetric Organocatalytic [3 + 2]-Cycloaddition of -Alkoxy-4-oxo-acrylamides with Isatin-Derived Ketimines: Access to Enantioselective Synthesis of Spirooxindole-imidazolidinones.

The spirooxindole framework is a privileged motif in numerous biologically significant natural products and has been demonstrated as a crucial core scaffold in a variety of medicinally significant compounds. Herein, we achieved a highly efficient enantioselective [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction of -alkoxy-4-oxo-acrylamides with isatin-derived ketimines. This method enabled the precise synthesis of chiral spirooxindole-imidazolidinone derivatives, which are notable for their intricate structures and the presence of chiral quaternary centers.

Predicting Mortality and Cirrhosis-Related Complications with MELD3.0: A Multicenter Cohort Analysis.

Background: /Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) 3.0 for predicting mortality and liver-related complications compared with the Child-Pugh classification, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, the MELD, and the MELD sodium (MELDNa) score.

Methods: We evaluated a multicenter retrospective cohort of incorporated patients with cirrhosis between 2013 and 2019.

Dynamic Peripheral T-Cell Analysis Identifies On-Treatment Prognostic Biomarkers of Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: Variability in response to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (AB) treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) underscores the critical need for the development of effective biomarkers. We sought to identify peripheral blood biomarkers reflecting response to AB treatment.

Methods: We analyzed dynamic changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a prospective, multicenter cohort of 65 patients with HCC, using flow cytometry to evaluate the T-cell population before and 3 weeks after the first AB treatment.

Multivitamin supplementation and its impact in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an emerging global health concern with limited therapeutic options. Multivitamins, widely consumed dietary supplements, have been proposed to modulate oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially impacting MASLD progression. However, their efficacy in reducing mortality and other complications in MASLD remains unclear.

Investigating Human Liver Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells from the Perspectives of Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists.

Liver tissue-resident memory T (T) cells play a pivotal role in hepatic immune responses. Their unique residence within liver sinusoids allow continuous antigen surveillance. In this review, we highlight the role of liver T cells in protective immunity and disease pathology.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea: an analysis of the 2016-2018 Korean Nationwide Cancer Registry.

Backgrounds/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Korea. This study evaluated the characteristics of Korean patients newly diagnosed with HCC in 2016-2018.

Methods: Data from the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry (KPLCR), a representative database of patients newly diagnosed with HCC in South Korea, were analyzed.

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.

Center frequency as optimal frequency of visual stimulation for spreading entrained gamma rhythms to other target brain regions in cognitively normal older adults.

Gamma entrainment using 40 Hz sensory stimulation has shown promise in AD mouse models, but inconsistent results in AD patients, possibly due to interspecies and interindividual differences in center frequency (CF). This study aimed to investigate whether gamma rhythms entrained by visual stimulation at an individual's CF can spread better than those at other frequency conditions in older adults. We entrained gamma rhythms in 32 cognitively normal older participants using light flickering at 32 Hz, 34 Hz, 36 Hz, 38 Hz, and 40 Hz.

Advancements in Frank's sign Identification using deep learning on 3D brain MRI.

Frank's sign (FS) is a diagnostic marker associated with aging and various health conditions. Despite its clinical significance, there lacks a standardized method for its identification. This study aimed to develop a deep learning model for automated FS detection in 3D facial images derived from MRI scans.

Vitamin D deficiency may accelerate cognitive decline in female apolipoprotein E ε4 non-carriers.

Background & Aims: The impact of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) on cognition remains controversial. Evidences suggest that variability based on apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status and gender, given APOE ε4's influence on vitamin D metabolism and women's heightened vitamin D sensitivity. We investigated the interplay between APOE ε4, gender, and VDD in cognitive decline among older adults.

Chronic Hepatitis B Genotype C Mouse Model with Persistent Covalently Closed Circular DNA.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause chronic infections, significantly increasing the risk of death from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A key player in chronic HBV infection is covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), a stable episomal form of viral DNA that acts as a persistent reservoir in infected hepatocytes and drives continuous viral replication. Despite the development of several animal models, few adequately replicate cccDNA formation and maintenance, limiting our understanding of its dynamics and the evaluation of potential therapeutic interventions targeting cccDNA.

Pathway Analysis of Allulose as a Sugar Substitute in Mitigating Thrombotic Risks in Sickle Cell Disease Patients.

Long-term consumption of erythritol, a widely used sugar substitute, has been associated with increased risks of thrombosis and cardiometabolic diseases. In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of allulose in mitigating these risks compared to erythritol using the clusterProfiler tool in R (version 4.12.