Gut microbial production of imidazole propionate drives Parkinson's pathologies.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the selective degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons and aggregation of α-synuclein. Emerging evidence implicates the gut microbiome in PD, with microbial metabolites proposed as potential pathological mediators. However, the specific microbes and metabolites involved, and whether gut-derived metabolites can reach the brain to directly induce neurodegeneration, remain unclear.

Effects of atorvastatin-loaded PEGylated liposomes delivered by magnetic stimulation for stroke treatment.

Background: Focused magnetic stimulation (MagStim) can temporarily and safely open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for target delivery. We investigated whether opening the BBB with MagStim and delivering atorvastatin-loaded PEGylated liposomes (LipoStatin) would work synergistically for subacute post-stroke treatment.

Methods: Two weeks after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), an injection of 15 mg/ml magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was performed, followed by 30 minutes of MagStim, in subacute stroke models.

Readiness for Practice Among Nursing College Graduates: A Cross-Sectional Correlation Study.

Introduction: Nursing college education aims to provide students with professional competence in nursing care practices (e.g., critical thinking, problem-solving, and clinical evaluation knowledge).

Plant-based dietary patterns and age-specific risk of multimorbidity of cancer and cardiometabolic diseases: a prospective analysis.

Background: It is currently unknown whether plant-based dietary patterns influence disease progression to multimorbidity after an initial non-communicable disease, and whether the associated risk of multimorbidity varies with age. This study aimed to investigate associations of plant-based diets with the risk of multimorbidity, defined as the co-occurrence of at least two chronic diseases in an individual (either cancer at any site, cardiovascular disease, or type 2 diabetes).

Methods: This prospective cohort study used data from EPIC and UK Biobank across six European countries, with participants aged 35-70 years at recruitment.

Effectiveness and safety of light therapy for treating primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: Primary dysmenorrhea, defined as painful menstrual cramps without identifiable pelvic pathology, is a prevalent gynecological condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that light-based therapies, including low-level light therapy (LLLT) and high-intensity light therapy (HILT), may offer a non-pharmacological approach to managing menstrual pain. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of light therapy in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea.

Long-term trends of osteoporotic hip fractures in South Korea: analysis of National Health Insurance Data from 2006 to 2022.

Unlabelled: This study analyzed 16-year hip fracture trends in South Korea. Hip fractures increased with an aging population but plateaued after 2010. Mortality declined from 18.

Comprehensive Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment of Sensitive Skin.

Sensitive skin (SS) is increasingly recognized as a complex syndrome characterized by discomfort and heightened sensitivity to otherwise harmless stimuli, such as environmental changes, physical contact, and cosmetic products. This condition poses challenges in both diagnosis and treatment due to its variable presentation and subjective nature. The pathophysiological features of SS include neurogenic inflammation and small fiber neuropathy, largely driven by the hyperactivation of sensory nerves.

Hemodynamic Adaptation and Cardiac Effects of High-Flow Arteriovenous Access in Hemodialysis Patients: A Prospective Study.

: A vascular access blood flow (Qa) to cardiac output (CO) ratio greater than 0.3 increases the risk of high-output heart failure (HOHF). This study analyzed the characteristics and risk factors associated with a high Qa/CO ratio and effective CO (COef) in these patients over one year.

Competition between group interactions and nonlinearity in voter dynamics on hypergraphs.

Social dynamics are often driven by both pairwise (i.e., dyadic) relationships and higher-order (i.

Efficacy and safety of 650 nm invasive laser acupuncture on non-specific chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: The study aims to determine whether 650 nm invasive laser acupuncture (ILA) is safe and effective for pain relief in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP).

Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in two hospitals in Korea. Individuals with NSCLBP were randomized into two groups: an ILA group and a control group, in a ratio of 1:1.

FDA-approved phensuximide inhibits RIPK1-dependent immunogenic cell death.

Receptor-interacting serine/threonine kinase 1 (RIPK1) is a pivotal protein controlling cell death and inflammation. RIPK1 is an attractive therapeutic target, given that the inhibition of RIPK1 kinase activity has been shown to be effective in animal models of human diseases such as autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we screened a collection of drugs with structural similarity to necrostatin-1 (Nec-1), an inhibitor of RIPK1, to assess their abilities to regulate RIPK1-mediated immunogenic cell death.

Polygenic risk score prediction accuracy convergence.

Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) models trained from genome-wide association study (GWAS) results are set to play a pivotal role in biomedical research addressing multifactorial human diseases. The prospect of using these risk scores in clinical care and public health is generating both enthusiasm and controversy, with varying opinions among experts about their strengths and limitations. The performance of existing polygenic scores is still limited but is expected to improve with increasing GWAS sample sizes and the development of new, more powerful methods.

Epidemiological (secular) trends of pelvic and acetabular fractures (2006-2022) in South Korea using a nationwide cohort data over ages 50: is it osteoporosis related?

Unlabelled: Osteoporotic pelvic and acetabular fractures (PAFs) rose significantly from 2006 to 2022, especially among those aged 80-89. Despite increased cases, one-year mortality rates declined from 7.29 to 4.

A compact, wireless system for continuous monitoring of breast milk expressed during breastfeeding.

Human milk is the ideal source of nutrition for infants. Most health organizations recommend direct breastfeeding from the first hour of life, extending throughout the first and second year. However, uncertainties regarding the volumes of milk ingested by the infant contribute to suboptimal rates of breastfeeding.

Soft, skin-interfaced wireless electrogoniometry systems for continuous monitoring of finger and wrist joints.

Continuous kinematic biofeedback during exercise interventions can lead to improved therapeutic outcomes in hand and wrist rehabilitation. Conventional methods for measuring joint kinematics typically allow only static measurements performed by specially trained therapists. This paper introduces skin-conformal, wearable wireless systems designed to continuously and accurately capture the angles of target joints, specifically in hand and wrist.

Hydrogen-rich electrolyzed water is a useful mouthwash due to its biofilm-control properties: an in vitro and in vivo study.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated the inhibitory effect of hydrogen-rich water on biofilm formation. However, hydrogen-rich electrolyzed water (HEW) has not been evaluated as mouthwash, despite being economical, convenient, and biologically safe. We assessed the antibiofilm effects of HEW on Streptococcus mutans and its potential as a mouthwash.

Zinc finger protein 184 prevents α-synuclein preformed fibril-mediated neurodegeneration through the interleukin enhancer binding factor 3-microRNA-7 pathway.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a loss of dopaminergic neurons. Recent studies suggested the association of zinc finger protein 184 (ZNF184) with PD. However, the functional role of ZNF184 in PD pathogenesis remains unclear.

Effect of fermented garlic extract containing nitric oxide on radial artery pulse waves in hypertension patients: a feasibility observational study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fermented garlic extract (FGE) containing nitric oxide (NO) on arterial pulse waves in hypertension patients using a noninvasive radial artery tonometry device.

Materials And Methods: Forty-one participants were recruited for this study investigating changes in arterial pulse wave characteristics following the ingestion of FGE containing NO over a 2-week period. Arterial pulse wave measurements were taken before and 15, 20, and 25 min after FGE administration and 2 weeks after the end of the ingestion period.

Validation study of the Korean version of the neurocognitive questionnaire in the childhood cancer survivor study.

Neurocognitive sequelae are common late complications in childhood cancer survivors (CCS), impacting quality of life, yet no validated Korean tool exists to screen neurocognitive function effectively. Korean CCS ( = 638) and their siblings ( = 218) were included from a cohort study of Korean CCS at three major hospitals in South Korea. To determine the underlying structure of K-NCQ, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed.

From Comparison to Confidence: The Dove Self-Esteem Project and the Transformation of Beauty Perceptions on Social Media.

This study examines The Dove Self-Esteem Project to evaluate its effectiveness as an integrated marketing communication (IMC) strategy and its impact on brand perception. Employing sentiment analysis, topic modeling, and word network analysis, we analyzed consumer comments on posts related to The Dove Self-Esteem Project on social media platforms to uncover sentiments and thematic patterns. The findings indicate a complex consumer reception characterized by a spectrum of emotional responses and discussions centered on authenticity, engagement, and social impact.

Effect of Chewing Hardness on Cognitive-Associated Brain Regions Activation.

Introduction And Aims: Recent findings suggest a potential correlation between mastication and cognitive processes. However, the comprehensive investigation into the neurobiological mechanisms of masticatory control, such as the impact of chewing hardness, on cognitive function, remains incomplete. This study aims to investigate the impact of chewing hardness, as an aspect of masticatory control, on cognitive function by examining brain activation patterns during hard and soft chewing conditions.

Genome Sequencing of Rare Disease Patients Through the Korean Regional Rare Disease Diagnostic Support Program.

Affecting fewer than 20,000 people as defined in South Korea, rare diseases pose significant diagnostic challenges due to their diverse manifestations and genetic heterogeneity. Genome sequencing (GS) offers a promising solution by enabling simultaneous screening for thousands of rare genetic disorders. This study explores the diagnostic utility and necessity of GS within the government-funded Korean Regional Rare Disease Diagnostic Support Program (KR-RDSP), a collaborative initiative involving 11 regional rare disease centers across Korea.