Tracing CO2 sources in urban and rural areas characterized by different land-use patterns using carbon isotopes.

Air samples were collected from urban and rural areas of Korea with different land-use patterns between October 2022 and April 2023 to identify the sources of atmospheric CO2. We analyzed representative end-members from natural and anthropogenic sources (soil, vehicle exhaust gases, and coal) to determine the CO2 concentrations and carbon isotope compositions of CO2 (δ13C-CO2). Urban samples exhibited lower δ13C values and higher CO2 concentrations than rural samples.

Niclosamide Alleviated Skin Inflammation and Restored the Balance between Effector and Regulatory T Cells in Skin.

Niclosamide is an oral anthelmintic agent and was reported to also have anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing STAT3 signaling pathways. In this study, we investigated the effect of niclosamide on skin inflammatory diseases to determine its potential as a therapeutic drug. We investigated the effects of niclosamide on two models of skin inflammatory diseases: imiquimod -induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation and LL-37-induced rosacea mouse models.

Toxic effects of sterigmatocystin on porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryo development.

Sterigmatocystin (STE), a precursor of aflatoxin B1, is one of the mycotoxins that easily contaminates feed. Although previous studies have suggested the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 on oocyte maturation, little attention has been given to the effects of STE. Therefore, we investigated the effects of STE on porcine oocyte maturation.

Programable Prodrug Nanomodulator Targets Tumor Redox Homeostasis Imbalance to Amplify Disulfidptosis and Immunogenic Pyroptosis for Breast Tumor Immunotherapy.

Despite the great potential of photodynamic therapy (PDT), its success remains compromised by the abnormal redox homeostasis of tumor cells, which supports survival, growth, and resistance to oxidative therapeutic interventions by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS). To overcome this barrier, a multifunctional prodrug nanomodulator (Pro@FLNC) is designed to induce disulfidptosis and immunogenic pyroptosis to trigger an antitumor immune response. Pro@FLNC features a prodrug core-shell structure where ursolic acid (UA) and Chlorin e6 (Ce6) are conjugated via a GSH-responsive linker and encapsulated in a DSPE-PEG-FA lipid shell for enhanced stability, biocompatibility, and tumor-specific targeting.

Efficacy of combined CD38 and PD-1 inhibition with isatuximab and cemiplimab for relapsed/refractory NK/T-cell lymphoma.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of combining cemiplimab, an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody, with isatuximab, an anti-CD38 antibody, in relapsed or refractory extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (R/R ENKTL). The hypothesis was that CD38 blockade could enhance the antitumor activity of PD-1 inhibitors. Eligible patients received cemiplimab (250 mg on days 1 and 15) and isatuximab (10 mg/kg on days 2 and 16) IV every 4 weeks for 6 cycles.

Mitoquinone improves porcine embryo development through modulating oxidative stress and mitochondrial function.

Oxidative stress caused by excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the main causes of low efficiency in in vitro production of embryos. These ROS can cause mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis, resulting in poor embryo development. Therefore, to prevent mitochondrial damage and apoptosis caused by ROS, we investigated the effects of mitoquinone (MitoQ), a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, on the in vitro culture (IVC) of porcine embryos.

Effects of vegetal protein hydrolysate application method, nitrogen level, and nitrate-to-ammonium ratio on growth and composition of hydroponic lettuce.

Background: Vegetal-derived protein hydrolysates (PHs) have been recognized as sustainable biostimulant products due to their beneficial effects on crops. However, most studies on PHs have been conducted at a fixed ratio of nitrate-to-ammonium (NO :NH ) without considering other N application scenarios, leading to inconsistent results among the studies. This study compared the influences of N levels (2 or 10 mM N), NO:NH ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, or 25:75), and PH application methods - control, foliar spray (PH-F) or root application (PH-R) - on the yield, morphology, nutrients, and nutraceutical quality of hydroponic lettuce.

Foliar applications of a Malvaceae-derived protein hydrolysate and its fractions differentially modulate yield and functional traits of tomato under optimal and suboptimal nitrogen application.

Background: Protein hydrolysates (PHs) can enhance plant nitrogen nutrition and improve the quality of vegetables, depending on their bioactive compounds. A tomato greenhouse experiment was conducted under both optimal (14 mM) and suboptimal (2 mM) nitrogen (N-NO) conditions. Tomatoes were treated with a new Malvaceae-derived PH (MDPH) and its molecular fractions (MDPH1, >10 kDa; MDPH2, 1-10 kDa and MDPH3, <1 kDa).

Plant biostimulants as natural alternatives to synthetic auxins in strawberry production: physiological and metabolic insights.

The demand for high-quality strawberries continues to grow, emphasizing the need for innovative agricultural practices to enhance both yield and fruit quality. In this context, the utilization of natural products, such as biostimulants, has emerged as a promising avenue for improving strawberry production while aligning with sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural approaches. This study explores the influence of a bacterial filtrate (BF), a vegetal-derived protein hydrolysate (PH), and a standard synthetic auxin (SA) on strawberry, investigating their effects on yield, fruit quality, mineral composition and metabolomics of leaves and fruits.

A CRISPR activation screen identifies MUC-21 as critical for resistance to NK and T cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Background: Immunotherapy has significantly advanced cancer treatments, but many patients do not respond to it, partly due to immunosuppressive mechanisms used by tumor cells. These cells employ immunosuppressive ligands to evade detection and elimination by the immune system. Therefore, the discovery and characterization of novel immunosuppressive ligands that facilitate immune evasion are crucial for developing more potent anti-cancer therapies.

National-scale investigation of dual nitrate isotopes and chloride ion in South Korea: Nitrate source apportionment for stream water.

Nitrate sources in surface water have been identified using dual-isotope compositions of nitrate with various tools to efficiently manage the water quality at the local scale. Correlation between Cl and NO has also been used to identify NO. In this study, we assess the reliability of the dual-isotope approach and Cl in terms of nitrate source apportionment.

Enhancing adoptive T-cell therapy with fucoidan-based IL-2 delivery microcapsules.

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) with antigen-specific T cells is a promising treatment approach for solid cancers. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been utilized in boosting the efficacy of ACT. However, the clinical applications of IL-2 in combination with ACT is greatly limited by short exposure and high toxicities.

Infusion of fluorescein into corn and waxy rice starches and its controlled release.

Unlabelled: The effects of concentration, temperature, and time on infusion of fluorescein into corn and waxy rice starches and their controlled release pattern were investigated. At low fluorescein concentration (1 μM), temperature significantly affected infusion efficiency. At high fluorescein concentration (50-150 μM), temperature showed little effect; fluorescein concentration significantly affected infusion efficiency.

LAG-3xPD-L1 bispecific antibody potentiates antitumor responses of T cells through dendritic cell activation.

Several preclinical studies demonstrate that antitumor efficacy of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade can be improved by combination with other checkpoint inhibitors. Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) is an inhibitory checkpoint receptor involved in T cell exhaustion and tumor immune escape. Here, we describe ABL501, a bispecific antibody targeting LAG-3 and PD-L1 in modulating immune cell responses against tumors.

Patient-specific instrumentation improves the reproducibility of preoperative planning for the positioning of baseplate components with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a comparative clinical study in 39 patients.

Background: The application of patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) for reverse total shoulder replacement has been rapidly increasing, which could reduce errors in implant positioning. Although PSI theoretically holds promise, evidence of the accuracy and reliability of PSI in shoulder replacement surgery is limited.

Methods: Thirty-nine shoulders that underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty were included in this study and categorized into two groups: the conventional (n = 20) and PSI (n = 19) groups.

Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy for Decompression of Extraforaminal Stenosis at the Lumbosacral Junction: Surgical Techniques and Clinical Outcomes.

Objective: The aims of this study were to describe the unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) technique for decompression of extraforaminal stenosis at L5-S1 and evaluate 1-year clinical outcomes. Especially, we evaluated compression factors of extraforaminal stenosis at L5-S1 and described the surgical technique for decompression in detail.

Methods: Thirty-five patients who underwent UBE decompression for extraforaminal stenosis at L5-S1 between March 2018 and February 2019 were enrolled.

Infusion efficiency of fluorescein derivatives of different molecular sizes into various starches under atmospheric and high hydrostatic pressures.

Unlabelled: Fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextrans (FDs) of different molecular weights were infused into corn, waxy rice, tapioca, and potato starches under atmospheric and high hydrostatic pressures (HHP). FD4, FD10, FD20, and FD40 (Mw 4000, 10,000, 20,000, and 40,000, respectively) were used as infusion materials. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed that all FDs except FD40 infused into corn, waxy rice, and tapioca starches.

Classification of geographical origin of kimchi by volatile compounds analysis using an electronic nose.

Food authenticity is one of the largest concerns in recent days. As kimchi has been a global food, its production origin has been important issue, particularly due to the large import from China. Among the potential methods, electronic nose which can measure volatile compounds in foods is considered to be a powerful device for identifying country of production.

Mucin1 and Mucin16: Therapeutic Targets for Cancer Therapy.

The mucin (MUC) family is a group of highly glycosylated macromolecules that are abundantly expressed in mammalian epithelial cells. MUC proteins contribute to the formation of the mucus barrier and thus have protective functions against infection. Interestingly, some MUC proteins are aberrantly expressed in cancer cells and are involved in cancer development and progression, including cell growth, proliferation, the inhibition of apoptosis, chemoresistance, metabolic reprogramming, and immune evasion.

Dietary homogenization and spatial distributions of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope ratios in human hair in South Korea.

Dietary homogenization has progressed worldwide due to westernization and the globalization of food production systems. We investigated dietary heterogeneity in South Korea by examining the spatial distribution of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) isotope ratios using 264 human hair samples. Overall, variation in isotope values was small, indicating low dietary heterogeneity.

Breast-Conserving Surgery after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Using a Three-Dimensional-Printed Surgical Guide Based on Supine Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Case Report.

Tumor localization in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is challenging because substantial therapeutic remission of the original tumor after NACT is often noted. Currently, there is no guidance device that allows for an accurate estimation of the resection range in breast-conserving surgery after NACT. To increase the accuracy of tumor resection, we used a 3-dimensional-printed breast surgical guide based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the supine position for a breast cancer patient who underwent breast-conserving surgery after NACT.

Allogeneic transplant can abrogate the risk of relapse in the patients of first remission acute myeloid leukemia with detectable measurable residual disease by next-generation sequencing.

In patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) consolidation treatment options are between allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) and chemotherapy, based on disease risk at the time of initial presentation and age. Measurable residual disease (MRD) following induction chemotherapy could be incorporated as a useful parameter for treatment decisions. The present study evaluated treatment outcomes according to the next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based MRD status and the type of consolidation therapy in patients with normal karyotype (NK)-AML.