The regenerative capacity of cell imprinting and collagen/PCL scaffolds in gastrocnemius tendon defect.

Traumatic tendon injuries are among the most common types of injuries, often characterized by insufficient and slow recovery. The current study aims to evaluate the regenerative capacity of a tissue-engineered tendon graft in a rabbit gastrocnemius tendon defect. This graft comprises gap-electrospun collagen-coated parallel polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers seeded with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), which promoted to adopt a tenogenic phenotype using a tenocyte-imprinted substrate for the first time.

Saikosaponin C ameliorates tau-related pathology by modulating oxidative stress and MAPK axis in Alzheimer's disease.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Saikosaponin C (SSc), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is a triterpene saponin and an active compound extracted from Radix Bupleuri. It has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective effects in cellular models of neurodegenerative diseases; however, its precise mechanism of action in alleviating tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as its potential to improve cognitive deficits in animal models, has not yet been elucidated.

Aim Of The Study: In this study, we investigated the in vivo therapeutic effects of SSc on a human tau (hTau) mouse model expressing normal hTau isoforms in terms of tau-related pathology (tauopathy) and the underlying mechanisms.

Anticancer Effects of the Polysaccharide Fraction of Bioprocessed Black Rice Bran Extract in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Cells and Radiotherapy-Resistant TNBC Cells by Inhibiting Interactions with Endothelial Cells and Inducing Natural Killer Cell Activity.

The tumor microenvironment, comprising elements such as endothelial cells (ECs) and immune cells, plays a critical role in cancer progression, therapy resistance, and metastasis. Adhesion of cancer cells to the endothelium, their transendothelial migration, and immune evasion by cancer cells contribute to these processes. In this study, we investigated the effect of the polysaccharide-rich fraction derived from bioprocessed black rice bran extract (BRB-F-P) on the interaction between triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and radiotherapy-resistant TNBC (RT-R-TNBC) cells with ECs, as well as on the cytolytic function of natural killer (NK) cells.

Long-term pulmonary sequelae and convalescent immune reactions in mild to moderate COVID-19 patients during the active treatment era.

Background: During the COVID-19 endemic phase, pulmonary sequelae substantially contributed to disease burden. Immunologic responses may be critical in both acute COVID-19 and in long-term sequelae. We aimed to evaluate associations between convalescent neutralizing antibodies and long-term pulmonary sequelae in patients hospitalized with mild to moderate COVID-19.

Positional specialization of LIR motifs in RavZ and the autophagy-related protein ATG4B.

LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs are essential for recruiting proteins onto autophagosomes, the hallmark of autophagy. We recently explored the relevance of the specific position of the LIRs in RavZ and ATG4B (autophagy-related 4B). RavZ's N-terminal LIRs drive substrate recognition and enzymatic activity, while its C-terminal LIR aids membrane localization.

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.

Incidence and Temporal Dynamics of Combined Infections in SARS-CoV-2-Infected Patients With Risk Factors for Severe Complications.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly emerged infectious disease that needs further clinical investigation. Characterizing the temporal pattern of combined infections in patients with COVID-19 may help clinicians understand the clinical nature of this disease and provide valuable diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed COVID-19 patients isolated in four study hospitals in Korea for one year period from May 2021 to April 2022 when the delta and omicron variants were dominant.

ABCG8‑mediated sterol efflux increases cancer cell progression via the LRP6/Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway in radiotherapy‑resistant MDA‑MB‑231 triple‑negative breast cancer cells.

Expression levels of ATP‑binding cassette (ABC) transporters are known to be increased in various tumor cells, including in breast cancer, and they are responsible for mediating drug resistance, leading to treatment failure. In the present study, gene expression array analysis revealed that among ABC transporter subtypes, ABC subfamily G member 8 (ABCG8) was one of the most increased in radiotherapy‑resistant triple‑negative breast cancer (RT‑R‑TNBC) cells compared with in TNBC cells. ABCG8 is involved in sterol efflux; however, its role in cancer is not well known.

Coronary heart disease as a risk factor for delirium in older COVID-19 patients.

Aim: Delirium during acute infection is associated with poor outcomes, although research is limited due to the heterogenous nature of affected populations. Identifying risk factors for delirium can help differentiate high-risk patients.

Methods: This retrospective study was carried out at a single COVID-19 designated hospital in Korea between February 2020 and May 2022.

Erratum to: Differential roles of N- and C-terminal LIR motifs in the catalytic activity and membrane targeting of RavZ and ATG4B proteins.

[Erratum to: BMB Reports 2024; 57(11): 497-502, PMID: 39384175, PMCID: PMC11608851] The BMB Reports would like to issue a correction to an article published in BMB Rep. 57(11): 497-502, titled "Differential roles of N- and C-terminal LIR motifs in the catalytic activity and membrane targeting of RavZ and ATG4B proteins". The original acknowledgment contained incorrect grant information.

Development of selective deconjugases for membrane-anchored LC3A/B in post-mitotic neurons.

Neuronal autophagy is essential for maintaining protein and organelle turnover, thereby safeguarding neuronal health. LC3, a central autophagy protein, exists in lipidated (LC3-II) and non-lipidated (LC3-I) forms, both critical for neurons due to their sensitivity to metabolic and proteostatic stress. To elucidate the specific roles of membrane-anchored LC3A/B in post-mitotic neurons, we engineered deconjugases with enhanced selectivity for lipidated LC3.

Mechanisms and roles of membrane-anchored ATG8s.

Autophagy-related protein 8 (ATG8) family proteins, including LC3 and GABARAP subfamilies, are pivotal in canonical autophagy, driving autophagosome formation, cargo selection, and lysosomal fusion. However, recent studies have identified non-canonical roles for lipidated ATG8 in processes such as LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP), LC3-associated endocytosis (LANDO), and lipidated ATG8-mediated secretory autophagy. These pathways expand ATG8's functional repertoire in immune regulation, membrane repair, and pathogen clearance, as ATG8 becomes conjugated to single-membrane structures (e.

Hearing loss and the risk of dementia: A longitudinal analysis of the Korean National Health Insurance Service Senior Cohort.

BackgroundHearing loss is a potentially modifiable risk factor implicated in dementia, with recent research suggesting an association between age-related hearing degradation and dementia.ObjectiveThis study aims to elucidate the relationship between hearing decline and dementia risk.MethodsWe analyzed data from 511,953 subjects from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Senior Cohort (2002-2008).

Predictive Mortality and Gastric Cancer Risk Using Clinical and Socio-Economic Data: A Nationwide Multicenter Cohort Study.

Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, particularly in East Asia, with a notable burden in Republic of Korea. This study aimed to construct and develop machine learning models for the prediction of gastric cancer mortality and the identification of risk factors. All data were acquired from the Korean Clinical Data Utilization for Research Excellence by multiple medical centers in South Korea.

Activation of glutamine synthetase (GS) as a new strategy for the treatment of major depressive disorder and other GS-related diseases.

Glutamine synthetase (GS) plays a crucial role in the homeostasis of the glutamate-glutamine cycle in the brain. Hypoactive GS causes depressive behaviors. Under chronic stress, GS has no change in expression, but its activity is decreased due to nitration of tyrosine (Tyr).

Deficiency of purinergic P2Y2 receptor impairs the recovery after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and accelerates renal fibrosis and tubular senescence in mice.

Chronic kidney disease is defined as a progressive loss of kidney function associated with impaired recovery after acute kidney injury. Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) induces oxidative stress and inflammatory responses leading to severe tissue damage, where incomplete or maladaptive repair accelerates renal fibrosis and aging. To investigate the role of the purinergic P2Y2 receptor (P2Y2R) in these processes, we used P2Y2R knockout (KO) mice subjected to IR.

NS1 binding protein regulates stress granule dynamics and clearance by inhibiting p62 ubiquitination.

The NS1 binding protein, known for interacting with the influenza A virus protein, is involved in RNA processing, cancer, and nerve cell growth regulation. However, its role in stress response independent of viral infections remains unclear. This study investigates NS1 binding protein's function in regulating stress granules during oxidative stress through interactions with GABARAP subfamily proteins.

Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation With Versus Without Additional Right Atrial Linear Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: The CRALAL Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone is less effective in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with those with paroxysmal AF. We investigate whether additional linear ablation from the superior vena cava to the right atrial septum and cavotricuspid isthmus ablation improves the rhythm outcome of patients with persistent AF undergoing cryoballoon PVI (Cryo-PVI).

Methods: In this investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized clinical trial, 289 patients with persistent AF refractory to antiarrhythmic drug therapy were randomized 1:1 to either Cryo-PVI with additional right atrium (RA) linear ablation or Cryo-PVI alone.

Activation of Purinergic P2Y2 Receptor Protects the Kidney Against Renal Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in Mice.

Extracellular ATP plays an important role in renal physiology as well as the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury induced by renal ischemia and reperfusion (IR). Expression of the purinergic P2Y2 receptor has been shown on inflammatory and structural cells of the kidney, and P2Y2R is preferably activated by ATP (or UTP). Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism of P2Y2R during IR injury by using P2Y2R knockout (KO) mice and a selective P2Y2R agonist, MRS2768.

Mortality Prediction Modeling for Patients with Breast Cancer Based on Explainable Machine Learning.

: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, requiring strategic efforts to reduce its mortality. This study aimed to develop a predictive classification model for breast cancer mortality using real-world data, including various clinical features. : A total of 11,286 patients with breast cancer from the National Cancer Center were included in this study.

Oyster hydrolysate ameliorates UVB-induced skin dehydration and barrier dysfunction.

Ultraviolet (UV) exposure triggers skin aging primarily by disrupting skin barrier function, resulting in dry skin and wrinkle formation. Oyster hydrolysate (OH), as a functional food, has been reported for anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. This study investigated the underlying mechanism of OH effect on UVB-induced skin aging in SKH1 hairless mice.

Multi-modality multi-task model for mRS prediction using diffusion-weighted resonance imaging.

This study focuses on predicting the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke patients with focal neurologic symptoms using a combination of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and clinical information. The primary outcome is a poor functional outcome defined by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 3-6 after 3 months of stroke. Employing nnUnet for DWI lesion segmentation, the study utilizes both multi-task and multi-modality methodologies, integrating DWI and clinical data for prognosis prediction.

Predicting the Progression of Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer's Dementia Using Recurrent Neural Networks With a Series of Neuropsychological Tests.

Background And Purpose: The prevalence of Alzheimer's dementia (AD) is increasing as populations age, causing immense suffering for patients, families, and communities. Unfortunately, no treatments for this neurodegenerative disease have been established. Predicting AD is therefore becoming more important, because early diagnosis is the best way to prevent its onset and delay its progression.