NOD2 Promotes Glioblastoma Progression Through Effects on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Stemness.

: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents one of the most aggressive and lethal primary brain malignancies, characterized by rapid proliferation, extensive invasiveness, and a dismal prognosis. Emerging evidence implicates nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (), an intracellular pattern recognition receptor, as a potential driver of GBM progression. This study investigates NOD2's role in promoting glioblastoma through its effects on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSC) markers.

Lactobacillus sakei CVL-001 Inhibits Osteoclast Differentiation Through TLR2 and GPCR-Dependent Pathways and Prevents Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Mice.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a common bone disease characterized by bone loss due to the disruption of bone homeostasis caused by decreased estrogen levels. It is estimated that approximately one third of women over the age of 50 will experience osteoporosis in their lifetime. Therefore, developing functional foods or treatments that can be safely consumed to prevent bone disease is essential.

Goal setting for WHO guideline adherence: accelerometer steps/day translation of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in older adults.

Background: Walking is a fundamental and accessible physical activity (PA) for older adults. Using daily step counts to self-monitor adherence to the World Health Organization's (WHO) PA guidelines may facilitate health promotion and promote behavioral changes. This study aimed to determine the step count equivalents for achieving 30 min/day and 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) among older adults in Taiwan.

Serum Trimethylamine N-Oxide as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker in Dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Pilot Study.

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is known to increase in human cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal diseases. In human medicine, TMAO has recently been utilized as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for renal dysfunction, and research is ongoing regarding its potential as a therapeutic target. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic potential of TMAO as a supportive biomarker in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Elevated extracellular water to total body water ratio and low phase angle in relation to muscle function in middle-aged and older adults.

Background: Decline in muscle function is a major health concern in aging populations, increasing the risk for disability and frailty. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) offers a practical method to assess physiological status in community settings. BIA-derived parameters include the phase angle (PhA), an indicator of cellular health and integrity, and the extracellular water to total body water (ECW/TBW) ratio, which reflects fluid balance and systemic inflammation.

The sesquiterpene lactone estafiatin exerts an anti-inflammatory effect against Mycobacterium abscessus infection by regulating interleukin-1 beta production.

Background: Mycobacterium abscessus, a species of non-tuberculous mycobacteria, is known to induce chronic pulmonary inflammation in humans. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a critical role in the maturation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and the initiation of pyroptosis. However, excessive activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome during M.

Analysis of Helicobacter pylori Infection Status and Clarithromycin-resistant Strains in Patients With Gastric Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Using Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction: A Single-center Korean Study.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a well-known risk factor for gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. However, the prevalence of clarithromycin-resistant (CLR) HP strains in patients with gastric MALT lymphoma compared with the general population is largely unknown.

Materials And Methods: HP test was performed on samples from 4686 patients who underwent gastric biopsy, including 89 patients who were diagnosed with gastric MALT lymphoma.

Horizontal Sodium Growth via the Sodiophilicity-Driven Structural Design of Current Collectors for Anode-Free Sodium Metal Batteries.

Sodium metal batteries offer high energy densities but suffer from dendrite formation, which causes capacity loss and short circuits. The present study achieves horizontal sodium growth and stripping by employing a periodic pattern of pyrolytic carbon pillars with vertical facets coated with gold on a copper current collector. The sodiophilic gold layer reduces the energy barrier for sodium nucleation, thereby facilitating preferential sodium nucleation.

Bidirectional Relationship among Cognitive Function, Muscle Mass, and Grip Strength in Older Adults: the BUSAN Study.

Background: With the increasing number of older individuals, understanding the interplay among muscle strength, muscle mass, and cognitive functions in aging populations is important. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among muscle mass, muscle strength, and cognitive function among older adults, with a focus on understanding the bidirectional correlations among these factors.

Methods: A total of 335 participants aged ≥65 years were analyzed.

Feasibility of Wearable Digital Healthcare Devices Among Korean Male Seafarers: A Pilot Study.

Background/objectives: This study is a pilot evaluation of the applicability of wearable digital healthcare devices for Korean male seafarers. Seafarers are exposed to health risks due to unstable and confined living conditions, and their access to healthcare services becomes significantly challenging, especially with the substantial decrease in physical activity onboard. This study aimed to monitor the physical activity of these seafarers through wearable devices and evaluate the potential of managing their health using these technologies.

Comparison of chemoport and Hickman central venous catheters in patients with hematological cancer.

Background: Most patients with advanced malignancies require chemotherapy as a fundamental component of treatment. A durable venous access device is essential to facilitate the repeated administration of chemotherapeutic agents. However, there is relatively limited research on the selection of optimal access methods.

The mediating role of step counts in the relationship between diverse neighbourhood destinations and older adults' physical function.

Research has shown that access to activity-supportive neighbourhood destinations is associated with physical activity levels and physical functioning in older adults. However, the relative importance of different destinations and the mechanisms underlying these relationships remain unclear. We investigated (i) the relationships between the availability of diverse neighbourhood destinations and physical functioning in Taiwanese older adults and (ii) whether step counts mediated these relationships.

Lactobacillus reuteri NCHBL-005 improves wound healing by promoting the activation of fibroblasts through TLR2/MAPK signaling.

Background: Wound healing is a complex physiological process essential for restoring tissue integrity following various injuries, ranging from minor, everyday incidents to post-surgical complications. Emerging studies have demonstrated that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can offer benefits beyond gut health, extending their positive effects on skin health. This study investigated the potential of Lactobacillus reuteri NCHBL-005, a honeybee-derived probiotic strain, to enhance fibroblast-mediated wound healing.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal association between accelerometer-measured light-intensity physical activity and cognitive function in older adults.

Objectives: Regarding the methods of improving cognitive function in older adults, it is well-established that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is beneficial. Considering the safety and mobility of older adults, recent research has focused on the benefits of light-intensity physical activity (LPA) on cognitive function. However, limited research has utilized the different domains of cognitive examination scales [such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)] to analyze the relationship between LPA and different domains of cognitive function and compare the cross-sectional and longitudinal results.

Light physical activity throughout the day and physical function in older adults: A cross-sectional study.

Research has demonstrated that habitual light physical activity (LPA) in later life may contribute to preventing muscle loss and disability in older adults. Given that LPA dominated overall physical activity duration throughout the day, investigating the impact of the timing of LPA on physical function among older adults is essential for optimizing health interventions. This cross-sectional study explored the association between LPA timing and performances in four physical function tests among older adults.

Dynapenia is associated with a higher risk of depressive symptoms among older adults.

Background: Depression affects the global burden of disability among older adults. Although dynapenia is related to disability and potential psychological health outcomes, its association with depressive symptoms remains uncertain. Accordingly, the objective of the current study was to investigate this association in older Taiwanese adults, applying the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) classification of dynapenia.

Respiratory Function and Information Processing Speed in Coal Power Plant Workers: Moderating Effects of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior.

Background: In occupational settings like coal power plants, impaired respiratory function and cognitive performance can pose significant risks to worker safety and productivity. This study aimed to investigate the associations between respiratory muscle strength and information processing speed in coal power plant workers, and to explore whether these associations are moderated by physical activity and sedentary behavior.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 171 coal power plant workers.

Controlled liquid crystal behavior of graphene oxide/single walled carbon nanotube mixtures for continuous multi hole wet spinning.

Liquid-crystalline (LC)-spinning of graphene oxide (GO) is a promising method for producing conducting fibres. However, achieving continuous wet-spinning via a multi-hole spinneret with organic solvent-based spinning dopes remains challenging, primarily because of the limitations in coagulation without ion crosslinking agents, such as Ca and Fe. In this study, we report the colloidal engineering of an LC GO-based spinning dope with highly oxidised single-walled carbon nanotubes (ox-SWCNTs) for continuous multi-hole wet-spinning.

Older adults' Internet use behavior and its association with accelerometer-derived physical activity.

Objective: The aging population is thriving worldwide, and it is critical to improve the health of older adults through physical activity (PA). Although the Internet can promote PA in older adults, limited studies have used objective tools to measure it. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between the frequency of Internet use and PA levels in older adults.

Age Difference in the Association Between Nutritional Status and Dynapenia in Older Adults.

Background: Although nutritional status plays a critical role in maintaining muscle strength, limited evidence exists regarding its association with dynapenia.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between different nutritional statuses and dynapenia among Taiwanese older adults, and assessed whether age modifies this relationship.

Methods: In this study, we enrolled individuals aged 65 years and older living in community settings through convenience sampling from 2020 to 2021, following a cross-sectional design.

Hydrogen Bond-Driven Hierarchical Assembly of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Ultrahigh Textile Capacity.

Hydrogen-bond-driven 1D assembly of carbon nanotubes dispersed in organic solvents remains challenging owing to difficulties associated with achieving high oxidation levels and uniform dispersion. Here, we introduced a bioinspired wet-spinning method that utilizes highly oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes dispersed in organic solvents without superacid or dispersants. By incorporating submicrometer-sized graphene oxide nanosheets, we facilitated the ejection of 1.

Efficacy of Virtual Reality Program for Mental Health Promotion in Pregnant Women.

Objective: Recently, various mental health promotion programs using virtual reality (VR) technology have been tried in the psychiatric field. Considering the importance of mental health in pregnant women, VR-assisted mental health promotion programs for pregnant women are needed to be developed. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the efficacy of a VR-assisted mental health promotion program for pregnant women.

Ultrafast Synthesis of Hard Carbon Anodes for Sodium-ion Batteries: An Intense-Pulsed-Light-Assisted Approach to Photothermal Carbonization of Polymer/Carbon Nanotube Composite Films.

The conventional carbonization process for synthesizing hard carbons (HCs) requires high-temperature furnace operations exceeding 1000 °C, leading to excessive energy consumption and lengthy processing times, which necessitates the exploration of more efficient synthesis methods. This study demonstrates the rapid preparation of HC anodes using intense pulsed light (IPL)-assisted photothermal carbonization without the prolonged and complex operations typical of traditional carbonization methods. A composite film of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is carbonized at high temperatures in less than 1 min.

Associations of socio-demographic, anthropometric and behavioural factors with phase angle in older adults: a cross-sectional study in Taiwan.

Objective: Phase angle (PhA) is a prognostic factor for predicting and monitoring geriatric syndromes. However, multiple factors associated with increased PhA values as an outcome remain unclear in the older population. This study aimed to examine the association of socio-demographic, anthropometric and behavioural factors with PhA among older Taiwanese adults.