A potential role of Fgf3 for epibranchial formation in zebrafish.

In fish, epibranchials are dorsal facial skeletal elements composing the branchial basket, which articulate with ceratobranchials ventrally and pharyngobranchials dorsally. They form in the posterior pharyngeal arches through endochondral bone formation. In zebrafish, the development of epibranchial structures has not been described in detail at the genetic and cellular levels compared to the development of the jaw skeleton.

Partial Deletion of the Carboxyl-Terminal Signal Sequence of the Cellular Prion Protein Alters Protein Expression via Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation.

Cellular prion protein (PrP) is a glycoprotein tethered to the plasma membrane via a GPI-anchor, and it plays a crucial role in prion diseases by undergoing conformational change to PrP. To generate a knock-in (KI) mouse model expressing bank vole PrP (BVPrP), a KI targeting construct was designed. However, a Prnp gene sequence that encodes PrP lacking seven C-terminal amino acid residues of the GPI-anchoring signal sequence (GPI-SS) was unintentionally introduced into the construct.

Preliminary study on cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials tuning changes in acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss.

Background: Acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) is frequently associated with endolymphatic hydrops. Cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP) have been used to detect saccular hydrops, especially in Meniere's disease, but their role in ALHL is unclear.

Objective: To preliminarily investigate whether cVEMP tuning frequency shifts are associated with hearing outcomes in patients with ALHL.

Progression of carotid plaque burden in patients with polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia.

Purpose: Prevention of vascular events is the main objective in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) or essential thrombocythemia (ET). Carotid ultrasonography (USG) is a safe and noninvasive diagnostic tool that can be used to stratify cardiovascular and stroke risks. In our previous study, carotid plaque burden was significantly higher in patients with PV/ET than in the general population.

Near-infrared long lifetime upconversion nanoparticles for ultrasensitive microRNA detection via time-gated luminescence resonance energy transfer.

Upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP)-based luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) biosensing offers advantages such as wash-free detection and precise biomolecule quantification. However, its sensitivity remains limited due to continuous energy transfer in co-doped UCNPs during LRET. Here we present a time-gated LRET strategy using near-infrared (NIR) long-lived luminescent UCNP donors (L-TG-LRET), achieving an 8-fold increase in luminescence lifetime without compromising emission intensity.

No difference in inflammatory mediator expression between mast cell-rich and mast cell-poor rosacea lesions in Korean patients: a comparative study.

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between mast cell (MC) density in rosacea-affected skin and the expression of key inflammatory mediators, including IL-6, TNF-α, and cathelicidin LL-37. By comparing lesions rich in MCs with those having fewer MCs, we sought to elucidate the role of MCs in the inflammatory mechanisms underlying rosacea pathogenesis. Specimens were collected from 20 patients diagnosed with rosacea who attended the outpatient clinic between 2008 and 2013.

A nearby dark molecular cloud in the Local Bubble revealed via H fluorescence.

A longstanding prediction in interstellar theory posits that significant quantities of molecular gas, crucial for star formation, may be undetected due to being 'dark' in commonly used molecular gas tracers, such as carbon monoxide. We report the discovery of Eos, a dark molecular cloud located just 94 pc from the Sun. This cloud is identified using H far-ultraviolet fluorescent line emission, which traces molecular gas at the boundary layers of star-forming and supernova remnant regions.

Correction: Posttreatment pulse rate reduction and not baseline pulse rate as an indicator of blood pressure response to nebivolol: a subanalysis from the real-world BENEFIT-KOREA study.

[This corrects the article e8 in vol. 31, PMID: 40083595.].

Risk of Hematologic Malignancies in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cancer are leading causes of death worldwide. However, the relationship between AMI and hematologic malignancies remains unclear.

Objectives: The authors aimed to investigate the association between AMI and the subsequent risk of incident hematologic malignancies.

Shh agonist enhances maturation in homotypic Lgr5-positive inner ear organoids.

The regeneration of functional hair cells (HCs) remains a critical challenge in addressing sensorineural hearing loss. This study aimed to investigate the molecular and functional mechanisms driving stereocilia maturation within inner ear organoids (IEO) derived from homogenic Lgr5-positive progenitor cells (LPCs) and to compare outcomes with traditional heterotypic cultures. Mouse cochlear LPCs were isolated via magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) to establish homotypic cultures, ensuring purity and eliminating the heterotypic influences present in traditional manual isolation (MI) methods.

Plasmonic Molecular Entrapment for Label-Free Methylated DNA Detection and Machine-Learning Assisted Quantification.

Epigenetic DNA methylations are linked to the activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. A reliable and label-free method to quantitatively measure DNA methylation levels is essential for diagnosing and monitoring methylation-related diseases. Herein, plasmonic molecular entrapment (PME) method assisted SERS as facile strategy for trapping and label-free sensing of DNA methylation, utilizing in situ surface growth of plasmonic particle in the presence of target analytes, are developed.

Immobilizing and Patterning DNA on Simplified Protein-Free DNA-Based Lateral Flow Assays.

This work presents a comprehensive study on DNA-based LFAs that completely avoids the use of proteins or pretreatment buffer. We address key fundamental challenges including optimizing buffer conditions for effective DNA immobilization on paper, understanding sequence-dependent detection, and ultimately developing patterning techniques that allow DNA patterns to appear on paper that exhibit distinct shapes depending on the introduced input sequences.

Highly Sensitive 3D-Nanoplasmonic-Based Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Multiplex Assay Chip for Liquid Biopsy.

Economical mutation detection method with high analytical and clinical sensitivity is necessary for early cancer diagnosis and screening. In this study, a novel 3D-nanoplasmonic-based multiplex mutation assay chip is developed to detect epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. This assay kit comprises a 3D-nanoplasmonic substrate immobilized with capture probes and primer-probe sets for recombinase polymerase amplification, wild-type inhibition, and fluorescence detection, enabling multiplex detection of EGFR exon 19 deletions, exon 20 insertions, and exon 21 L858R point mutations.

AI-Assisted Plasmonic Diagnostics Platform for Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis With Biomarker Quantification Using Mathematical Models.

Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are major causes of functional impairment, disability, and chronic pain, leading to a substantial rise in healthcare costs. Despite differences in pathophysiology, these diseases share overlapping features that complicate diagnosis, necessitating early, more accurate, and cost-effective diagnostic tools. This study introduces an innovative plasmonic diagnostics platform for rapid and accurate label-free diagnosis of OA and RA.

A2-Astrocyte Activation by Short-Term Hypoxia Rescues α-Synuclein Pre-Formed-Fibril-Induced Neuronal Cell Death.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neuro-degenerative disease for which a radical cure is not available, only symptomatic control. Studies have shown that hypoxia may have disease-modifying effects on PD. Herein, we investigated whether short-term hypoxia activates astrocytes and whether it has a protective effect on pre-formed fibril (PFF)-treated primary cortical neurons.

Anti-Obesity Potential of Barley Sprouts in Dog Diets and Their Impact on the Gut Microbiota.

Barley sprouts, the germinated and grown leaves of barley, contain various bioactive compounds, including policosanol, saponarin, and lutonarin. The ingestion of barley sprouts may benefit canine weight management, potentially owing to the anti-obesity properties of bioactive compounds. However, there is limited evidence on the efficacy and safety of barley sprout supplementation in dogs.

Effectiveness of noncontrast-abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging in a real-world hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance.

Objectives: Noncontrast-abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (NC-AMRI) is emerging as a promising alternative to ultrasound (US) for surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in at-risk patients. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of NC-AMRI in a real-world surveillance population, and to evaluate the appropriateness of NC-AMRI in selected patients with inadequate prior US.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included Child-Pugh class A or B adults with chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis from any cause who underwent NC-AMRI between December 2018 and August 2022.

Posttreatment pulse rate reduction and not baseline pulse rate as an indicator of blood pressure response to nebivolol: a subanalysis from the real-world BENEFIT-KOREA study.

Background: This subanalysis of BENEFIT-KOREA cohort assessed the impact of baseline pulse rate (PR) and posttreatment PR reduction on the blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy of nebivolol in patients with hypertension.

Methods: South Korean patients with hypertension were enrolled in the BENEFIT-KOREA study; 3,011 patients received nebivolol as monotherapy/add-on therapy. Time-averaged BP, calculated by sum of the product of BPs at weeks 12 and 24 corrected for number of participants at these timepoints, was evaluated with/without adjustment for baseline BP.

Development of NIR photocleavable nanoparticles with BDNF for vestibular neuron regeneration.

Among nanoparticle platforms, light or photoresponsive nanoparticles have emerged as a promising drug delivery strategy with spatiotemporal control while minimizing off-target effects. The characteristic absorption spectrum of the photoresponsive moiety dictates the wavelength of light needed to activate bond cleavage. However, the low tissue penetration depth limit and short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV) cellular toxicity are considered disadvantageous.

Consensus Statements on Tinnitus Assessment and Treatment Outcome Evaluation: A Delphi Study by the Korean Tinnitus Study Group.

Background: Tinnitus is a multifactorial condition with no universally accepted assessment guidelines. The Korean Tinnitus Study Group previously established consensus statements on the definition, classification, and diagnostic tests for tinnitus. As a continuation of this effort, this study aims to establish expert consensus on tinnitus assessment and treatment outcome evaluation, specifically tailored to the Korean clinical context.

Structure-activity relationship analysis of mono-methylated quercetins by comprehensive MS/MS analysis and anti-proliferative efficacy in human colorectal cancer cells.

Flavonoids and their derivatives are known for their diverse biological activities. This study aims to elucidate the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of flavonoids, including fisetin, luteolin, quercetin, and mono-methylated quercetins (MQs), with a focus on their potential as therapeutic agents for colorectal cancer (CRC). Using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF MS/MS) and retro Diels-Alder (rDA) analysis, we developed a novel analytical method to differentiate between MQs, despite their identical molecular weights, by analyzing their unique fragmentation patterns.

Evaluation of the Photobiomodulation Treatment With the TINI Laser Device for Managing Chronic High-Frequency Tinnitus: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Introduction: To evaluate the efficacy of the TINI laser device, a photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, for managing chronic high-frequency tinnitus in patients with unilateral or bilateral tinnitus.

Methods: A randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with 38 participants. Subjects were divided into three groups: The TINI 1 group received eight active laser treatments over 4 weeks, the TINI 2 group received four active treatments followed by four sham treatments, and the control group received only sham treatments.

Selective STING Activation in Intratumoral Myeloid Cells via CCR2-Directed Antibody-Drug Conjugate TAK-500.

The tumor microenvironment in solid tumors contains myeloid cells that modulate local immune activity. Stimulator of IFN gene (STING) signaling activation in these myeloid cells enhances local type-I IFN production, inducing an innate immune response that mobilizes adaptive immunity and reprograms immunosuppressive myeloid populations to drive antitumor immunity. In this study, we generated TAK-500, an immune cell-directed antibody-drug conjugate, to deliver a STING agonist to CCR2+ human cells and drive enhanced antitumor activity relative to nontargeted STING agonists.

A Prospective, Single-Cohort, Open, Multi-Center, Observational Study of Sublingual Fentanyl for Breakthrough Cancer Pain: Effectiveness, Safety, and Tolerability in Korean Cancer Patients.

Purpose: Fentanyl, a highly lipophilic opioid, was developed as a sublingual fentanyl tablet (SFT) for the management of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP), and its efficacy and safety were confirmed in a randomized, controlled study. We investigated the effectiveness and safety of SFT administered to alleviate BTcP in a real-world setting.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective, open, single-cohort study, conducted in 13 referral hospitals in South Korea, opioid-tolerant cancer patients receiving around-the-clock opioids for persistent cancer pain were enrolled if the individual had BTcP ≥ 1 episode/day during the preceding week.