Spatiotemporal Assessment of Benzene Exposure Characteristics in a Petrochemical Industrial Area Using Mobile-Extraction Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (Me-DOAS).

Petrochemical complexes are spatially expansive and host diverse emission sources, making accurate monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) challenging using conventional two-dimensional methods. This study introduces Mobile-extraction Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (Me-DOAS), a real-time, three-dimensional remote sensing technique for assessing benzene emissions in the Ulsan petrochemical complex, South Korea. A vehicle-mounted Me-DOAS system conducted monthly measurements throughout 2024, capturing data during four daily intervals to evaluate diurnal variation.

Linking Kawasaki Disease to Mental Health: A Nationwide Study on Long-Term Neurological Risks.

: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a childhood systematic vasculitis. Emerging evidence suggests a link between KD and long-term neurological implications. This study examines the association between KD and subsequent neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders using national health data from South Korea.

Characteristics of premenopausal breast cancer patients with a midrange 21-gene recurrence score.

Purpose: The results of the TAILORx trial have shown that premenopausal patients with intermediate Oncotype Dx (ODx) recurrence score of 16-25 may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, the clinicopathological features showed the information complementary to ODx results. However, the characteristics may vary depending on menopausal status even in the same score.

Effects of Chlorella protothecoides-derived polydeoxyribonucleotides on skin regeneration and wound healing.

The skin acts as a crucial barrier and, upon injury, initiates complex wound-healing processes involving various cell types. Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) are well-known for their efficacy in enhancing skin regeneration and wound healing. This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of PDRNs derived from Chlorella protothecoides, a sustainable and scalable microalgal source, in promoting skin regeneration and wound healing.

Hybrid Nanoparticle Engineered with Transforming Growth Factor -β1-Overexpressed Extracellular Vesicle and Cartilage-Targeted Anti-Inflammatory Liposome for Osteoarthritis.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) possess the characteristics of their parent cells, based on which various studies have actively investigated treatments for diseases using mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs due to their regenerative activity. Furthermore, in recent years, there have been significant efforts to engineer EVs to improve their native activities and integrate additional functions. Although both endogenous and exogenous methods are used for engineering EVs, endogenous methods may pose the problem of administering substances to cells undergoing metabolic changes, which can cause potential side effects.

Antioxidant Activity and Other Characteristics of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Korean Traditional Sweet Potato Stalk Kimchi.

The aim of this study was to examine the biological activity and probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from sweet potato stalk kimchi (SPK). Various LAB and spp. are active in the early stages of the fermentation of kimchi made from sweet potato stalk.

Risk Factors for Intravenous Immunoglobulin Non-responsiveness and Coronary Ectasia in Korean Patients With Kawasaki Disease.

We aimed to determine the risk factors for non-responsiveness to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and coronary ectasia in Korean children with Kawasaki disease (KD) and compare the efficacy of previously published Japanese and Chinese risk scoring systems in the same cohort. We retrospectively reviewed 459 KD cases diagnosed from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2022. Age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.

High-Speed Clearing and High-Resolution Staining for Analysis of Various Markers for Neurons and Vessels.

Background: Tissue clearing enables deep imaging in various tissues by increasing the transparency of tissues, but there were limitations of immunostaining of the large-volume tissues such as the whole brain.

Methods: Here, we cleared and immune-stained whole mouse brain tissues using a novel clearing technique termed high-speed clearing and high-resolution staining (HCHS). We observed neural structures within the cleared brains using both a confocal microscope and a light-sheet fluorescence microscope (LSFM).

Erratum: Publisher Correction: Short-term inhalation exposure to cigarette smoke induces oxidative stress and inflammation in lungs without systemic oxidative stress in mice.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s43188-023-00223-y.].

Combinatory Nanovesicle with siRNA-Loaded Extracellular Vesicle and IGF-1 for Osteoarthritis Treatments.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been found to have the characteristics of their parent cells. Based on the characteristics of these EVs, various studies on disease treatment using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived EVs with regenerative activity have been actively conducted. The therapeutic nature of MSC-derived EVs has been shown in several studies, but in recent years, there have been many efforts to functionalize EVs to give them more potent therapeutic effects.

Nitrate formation mechanisms causing high concentration of PM in a residential city with low anthropogenic emissions during cold season.

During the cold season in South Korea, NO concentrations are known to significantly increase, often causing PM to exceed air quality standards. This study investigated the formation mechanisms of NO in a suburban area with low anthropogenic emissions. The average PM was 25.

Bactericidal Effects and Quality Impact of Peroxyacetic Acid and Sodium Hypochlorite on Chicken Carcasses.

There is an urgent need to develop efficient and environmentally friendly decontaminants for poultry products. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the practical application of peroxyacetic acid (PAA) as a replacement for sodium hypochlorite (SH) to sterilize fresh chicken carcasses, using microbial, color, and electronic-nose analyses. We evaluated the decontamination effects of different concentrations of PAA and SH on chicken carcasses.

Anti-Melanogenic Activity of Undecylprodigiosin, a Red Pigment Isolated from a Marine sp. SNA-077.

Bioassay and HPLC-UV guided fractionations of the crude extract of marine-derived sp. SNA-077 have led to the isolation of a red pigment, undecylprodigiosin . The chemical structure of undecylprodigiosin was revealed by the interpretation of NMR and mass spectroscopic (MS) data.

The HSP90 inhibitor HVH-2930 exhibits potent efficacy against trastuzumab-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer.

Resistance to targeted therapies like trastuzumab remains a critical challenge for HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Despite the progress of several N-terminal HSP90 inhibitors in clinical trials, none have achieved approval for clinical use, primarily due to issues such as induction of the heat shock response (HSR), off-target effects, and unfavorable toxicity profiles. We sought to examine the effects of HVH-2930, a novel C-terminal HSP90 inhibitor, in overcoming trastuzumab resistance.

Securing Your Airspace: Detection of Drones Trespassing Protected Areas.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) deployment has risen rapidly in recent years. They are now used in a wide range of applications, from critical safety-of-life scenarios like nuclear power plant surveillance to entertainment and hobby applications. While the popularity of drones has grown lately, the associated intentional and unintentional security threats require adequate consideration.

Risk factors of internal carotid artery stenosis in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy: an analysis using optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography.

Background: This research investigates the correlation between the severity of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and retinal parameters in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), aiming to uncover potential risk factors.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 68 patients (136 eyes) diagnosed with bilateral PDR from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021, was conducted. Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) was assessed using neck computed tomography angiography (CTA) and carotid duplex ultrasound (CDUS), with stenosis classified into two groups: normal (group 1) and mild or above (group 2), based on the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) criteria.

OPTILOD: Optimal Beacon Placement for High-Accuracy Indoor Localization of Drones.

For many applications, drones are required to operate entirely or partially autonomously. In order to fly completely or partially on their own, drones need to access location services for navigation commands. While using the Global Positioning System (GPS) is an obvious choice, GPS is not always available, can be spoofed or jammed, and is highly error-prone for indoor and underground environments.

Short-term inhalation exposure to cigarette smoke induces oxidative stress and inflammation in lungs without systemic oxidative stress in mice.

Smoking is a well-established risk factor for various pathologies, including pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and cancers. The toxic effects of cigarette smoke (CS) are mediated through multiple pathways and diverse mechanisms. A key pathogenic factor is oxidative stress, primarily induced by excessive formation of reactive oxygen species.

Predictive Scoring System for Spontaneous Closure of Infant Ventricular Septal Defect: The P-VSD Score.

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a common congenital heart disease. However, consensus on the utility of echocardiography in predicting spontaneous closure (SC) of VSD remains lacking. This study aimed to identify and validate significant predictors of SC through a predictive scoring system.

Cytosolic zinc mediates the cytotoxicity of thiol-reactive electrophiles in rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

The aberrant increase or dysregulation of cytosolic Zn concentration ([Zn]) has been associated with cellular dysfunction and cytotoxicity. In this study, we postulated that Zn mediates the cytotoxicity of thiol-reactive electrophiles. This notion was grounded on earlier research, which revealed that thiol-reactive electrophiles may disrupt Zn-binding motifs, consequently causing Zn to be released from Zn-binding proteins, and leading to a surge in [Zn].

Promising Therapeutic Effects of Embryonic Stem Cells-Origin Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis Models: Immunomodulatory and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) involves persistent inflammation and fibrosis, leading to respiratory failure and even death. Adult tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show potential in ILD therapeutics but obtaining an adequate quantity of cells for drug application is difficult. Daewoong Pharmaceutical's MSCs (DW-MSCs) derived from embryonic stem cells sustain a high proliferative capacity following long-term culture and expansion.

Morphological studies of fly puparia (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the soil from a Joseon Dynasty grave in Korea.

Archaeoentomological investigations were conducted on soil contents from a grave belonging to the Joseon Dynasty as part of the Urban Environment Maintenance Project (UEMP) in Cheongjin 12-16 dong (districts), Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea, from December 01, 2008 to February 19, 2011. A total of 28 insect puparia with hard shells of the common green bottle fly Lucilia sericata were identified in the soil. Evidence suggested that the corpse was placed outside for some days instead of being buried immediately after death.

Suppression of TNBC metastasis by doxazosin, a novel dual inhibitor of c-MET/EGFR.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by aggressive growth and a high propensity for recurrence and metastasis. Simultaneous overexpression of c-MET and EGFR in TNBC is associated with worse clinicopathological features and unfavorable outcomes. Although the development of new c-MET inhibitors and the emergence of 3-generation EGFR inhibitors represent promising treatment options, the high costs involved limit the accessibility of these drugs.

Impact of inhalation exposure to cigarette smoke on the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension primed by monocrotaline in rats.

Extensive, long-term exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) was recently suggested to be a risk factor for pulmonary hypertension, although further validation is required. The vascular effects of CS share similarities with the etiology of pulmonary hypertension, including vascular inflammation and remodeling. Thus, we examined the influence of CS exposure on the pathogenesis of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension, hypothesizing that smoking might accelerate the development of primed pulmonary hypertension.