Collagen/Hydroxyapatite Hydrogels Promote Intercellular Interactions and Osteogenic Differentiation.

Bone defects resulting from trauma, disease, or congenital abnormalities present formidable clinical challenges, necessitating advanced regenerative strategies. In this study, a novel bone tissue engineering approach utilizing the osteoinductive properties of collagen/hydroxyapatite (HA) hydrogels and the structural support provided by 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds was investigated. Specifically, MG63 osteoblast-like cells were encapsulated within collagen/HA hydrogels formulated at an optimized 5:5 ratio and subsequently loaded into PLA lattices.

Endoscopic Vacuum-Assisted Closure for Radiation-Induced Laryngotracheoesophageal Fistula.

Radionecrosis can occur in any irradiated area of the head and neck, and when it involves the laryngotracheal region, it may lead to a laryngoesophageal fistula, causing dysphagia, aspiration, and life-threatening bleeding. A 45-year-old male with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was referred due to prolonged dysphagia, recurrent aspiration, and hemoptysis after radiation therapy for a metastatic cervical spine lesion. Laryngoscopy and CT scan revealed destruction of the posterior cricoid cartilage and the membranous trachea, with a fistula formed between the laryngotrachea and pharynx.

Periostin Promotes Invasiveness and Metastasis of Oral Cancer Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition.

Background/aim: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a significant global health burden, with a modest 5-year survival rate; therefore, novel therapeutic targets are needed. Periostin, an extracellular matrix protein, is implicated in tumor progression, yet its role in OSCC, particularly epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), is poorly understood.

Materials And Methods: We investigated periostin's role in OSCC using a multifaceted approach: retrospective analysis of 97 OSCC patient samples, bioinformatics analyses of GEO and TCGA datasets, and / experiments using the HNSCC-31 cell line and xenograft mouse models.

A circadian clock RD29A is an esterase, relaying PGPR stimuli via RD29B and OPDA signaling in priming plant drought tolerance.

Drought is a critical limiting factor to crop production. Efforts to combat this problem through genetic engineering have been difficult to implement without growth tradeoffs. Hence, we recently identified two drought-responsive genes, Response to Desiccation (RD)29A and RD29B, which convey plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria-mediated induced systemic tolerance (IST).

Surface Engineering of Perovskite Solar Cells via the Dry-Vacuum Process: Deposition of Lead Halides and Alkylammonium Halides.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have demonstrated remarkably rapid efficiency improvements mainly through spin-coating-based solution processes. While these processes offer numerous advantages, there are also several limitations, prompting research into alternative fabrication methodologies for PSCs. Meanwhile, surface engineering has been identified as one of the most critical factors for enhancing the efficiency and stability of PSCs.

Fasting is not always good: perioperative fasting leads to pronounced ketone body production in patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors: a case report.

Ketone bodies produced by sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can be advantageous, providing an efficient and stable energy source for the brain and muscles. However, in patients with diabetes, ketogenesis induced by SGLT2 inhibitors may be harmful, potentially resulting in severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). During fasting, ketone body production serves as an alternative and efficient energy source for the brain by utilizing stored fat, promoting mental clarity, and reducing dependence on glucose.

Cyclophilin 20-3 coordinates plant root hair growth and resistance against parasitic nematodes.

Plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) are a major threat to agriculturally important crops, resulting in substantial yield losses and economic repercussions. However, the underlying modes of plant-PPN interactions remain largely elusive. Here, we describe a critical role of cyclophilin (CYP)20-3, a plastid dual enzyme [i.

Colloidal Ink Engineering for Slot-Die Processes to Realize Highly Efficient and Robust Perovskite Solar Modules.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a promising alternative to silicon solar cells, but challenges remain in developing perovskite inks and processes suitable for large-scale production. This study introduces a novel approach using colloidal inks incorporating toluene and chlorobenzene as co-antisolvents for PSC fabrication via slot-die process. It is found that colloidal inks that are strategically engineered can significantly improve the rheological properties of perovskite inks, leading to enhanced wettability and high-quality film formation.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Between Two Types of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors in Posttransplant Diabetes Mellitus in Kidney Transplantation Recipients: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Korea.

Background: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) are antidiabetic drugs known for their minimal side effects and limited drug interaction witih immunosuppressants, making them suitable for patients with diabetes and kidney transplant recipients. However, there is limited real-world information regarding the use of DPP-4 inhibitors in patients with post transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM).

Method: We performed a retrospective observational cohort study of 13,828 kidney transplant recipients form Janary 1, 2002, through December 21, 2018, using the Korean National Health Information Database.

Metasurface Source Antenna Gain Improvement Using Simple Side Metal Structure.

As metasurfaces are in the spotlight, research is being conducted to incorporate them into transmitarray (TA) antennas. Among these, as an attempt to create a low-profile design, a patch antenna classified as low-gain can be utilized as an appropriate source antenna. However, for high efficiency of the TA, the gain of the source antenna must be fundamentally improved.

OPDA signaling channels resource (e-) allocation from the photosynthetic electron transfer chain to plastid cysteine biosynthesis in defense activation.

A primary precursor of jasmonates, 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA), is an autonomous hormone signal that activates and fine-tunes plant defense responses, as well as growth and development. However, the architecture of its signaling circuits remains largely elusive. Here we describe that OPDA signaling drives photosynthetic reductant powers toward sulfur assimilation in the chloroplasts, incorporating sulfide into cysteine.

Novel Cosmetic Ingredient CS-AA Polyion Complex and Skin Moisturizing Effect.

Purpose: The study explored the enhanced skin moisturizing capabilities and moisture retention effects achieved by forming a polyion complex using sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG), specifically chondroitin sulfate (CS), and amino acids (AA) such as glutamine (Q) and arginine (R). The overall hydration effect of this CS-AA complex was examined.

Methods: After analyzing the CS-AA polyion complex structure using spectroscopic methods, the ex vivo moisture retention ability was assessed under dry conditions using porcine skin samples.

User-Centric Cell-Free Massive MIMO with Low-Resolution ADCs for Massive Access.

This paper proposes a heuristic association algorithm between access points (APs) and user equipment (UE) in user-centric cell-free massive multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems, specifically targeting scenarios where UEs share the same frequency and time resources. The proposed algorithm prevents overserving APs and ensures the connectivity of all UEs, even when the number of UEs is significantly greater than the number of APs. Additionally, we assume the use of low-resolution analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) to reduce fronthaul capacity.

Multi-Load Topology Optimization Design for the Structural Safety Maintenance of Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste Packaging Containers in the Case of a Collision.

This paper presents an optimized design approach using nonlinear dynamic analysis and finite element methods to ensure the structural integrity of square-shaped containers made from ductile cast iron for intermediate- and low-level radioactive waste packaging. Ductile cast iron, with its spherical graphite structure, effectively distributes stress throughout the material, leading to a storage capacity increase of approximately 18%. Considering the critical need for containers that maintain integrity under extreme conditions like earthquakes, the design focuses on mitigating stress concentrations at the corners of square structures.

Interfacial Engineering for Controlled Crystal Mosaicity in Single-Crystalline Perovskite Films.

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites have attracted significant attention for optoelectronic applications due to their efficient photoconversion properties. However, grain boundaries and irregular crystal orientations in polycrystalline films remain issues. This study presents a method for producing crystalline-orientation-controlled perovskite single-crystal films using retarded solvent evaporation.

Effectiveness of the Korean-Patient Placement Criteria for Alcohol Use Disorders: A Prospective Exploratory Study.

Objective: Various patient placement criteria (PPC) have been developed to address alcohol use disorder (AUD), which has a high relapse rate and imposes substantial socioeconomic costs. Although research has shown PPC to be an effective tool, evidence supporting the Korean-PPC (K-PPC) is insufficient. This paper investigated whether treatment matching with the K-PPC was effective, based on variables related to AUD.

Advancing Cardiovascular Drug Screening Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes.

Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) have emerged as a promising tool for studying cardiac physiology and drug responses. However, their use is largely limited by an immature phenotype and lack of high-throughput analytical methodology. In this study, we developed a high-throughput testing platform utilizing hPSC-CMs to assess the cardiotoxicity and effectiveness of drugs.

Discovery of TCP-(MP)-caffeic acid analogs as a new class of agents for treatment of osteoclastic bone loss.

Inhibition of LSD1 was proposed as promising and attractive therapies for treating osteoporosis. Here, we synthesized a series of novel TCP-(MP)-Caffeic acid analogs as potential LSD1 inhibitors to assess their inhibitory effects on osteoclastogenesis by using TRAP-staining assay and try to explore the preliminary SAR. Among them, TCP-MP-CA (11a) demonstrated osteoclastic bone loss both in vitro and in vivo, showing a significant improvement in the in vivo effects compared to the LSD1 inhibitor GSK-LSD1.

Enhancement of Exfoliating Effects through the Novel Cosmetic Ingredient Mandelic acid_Carnitine Ion-Pairing Complex.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a novel exfoliating material with high efficacy and low irritation by synthesizing the Mandelic acid_Carnitine ion pairing complex (M_C complex) and evaluating its exfoliating properties. Additionally, the study assessed the skin improvement effects of the M_C complex through clinical evaluations.

Methods: The M_C complex was synthesized in a 1:1 molar ratio of Mandelic acid and Carnitine.

A Methodological Approach for Motor Selection in Dental Impression Material Dispensers Using Experimental and Image Analysis Techniques.

This study presents a methodology to prevent the overdesign of electric dispensers for dental impression materials by analyzing the necessary load and determining the appropriate pressurization speed and drive motor capacity. We derived an equation to calculate the required torque and rotational speed of the motor based on the extrusion load and the speed of the impression material. A specialized load measurement system was developed to measure the load necessary to extrude the impression material.

Understanding the Electron Beam Resilience of Two-Dimensional Conjugated Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Knowledge of the atomic structure of layer-stacked two-dimensional conjugated metal-organic frameworks (2D c-MOFs) is an essential prerequisite for establishing their structure-property correlation. For this, atomic resolution imaging is often the method of choice. In this paper, we gain a better understanding of the main properties contributing to the electron beam resilience and the achievable resolution in the high-resolution TEM images of 2D c-MOFs, which include chemical composition, density, and conductivity of the c-MOF structures.

The mediating role of the left ventricular mass index on the relationship between the fluid balance and left ventricular diastolic function in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: The pathophysiological mechanism of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is complicated. Mediation analysis is an important statistical tool for gaining insight into the complex mechanisms of exposure-outcome effects. We investigated the potential mediating role of the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) on the association between fluid balance (overhydration/extracellular water, OH/ECW) and left ventricular diastolic function (E/e´ ratio) in patients with CKD not yet on dialysis.

Reduced GSH Acts as a Metabolic Cue of OPDA Signaling in Coregulating Photosynthesis and Defense Activation under Stress.

12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) is a primary precursor of jasmonates, able to trigger autonomous signaling cascades that activate and fine-tune plant defense responses, as well as growth and development. However, its mechanism of actions remains largely elusive. Here we describe a dual-function messenger of OPDA signaling, reduced glutathione (GSH), that cross-regulates photosynthesis machinery and stress protection/adaptation in concert, optimizing plant plasticity and survival potential.