Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Educational Intervention Addressing Fine Particulate Matter Exposure on the Mental Health of Elementary School Children.

: This study assessed the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based fine dust education program, grounded in the Health Belief Model (HBM), on elementary students' fine dust knowledge, related behaviors, and mental health (depression, anxiety, stress, sleep quality). : From September to November 2024, 95 students (grades 4-6) living near a coal-fired power plant in midwestern South Korea were assigned to either an intervention group (n = 44) or a control group (n = 51). The intervention group completed a three-session CBT-based education program; the control group received stress management education.

Fertility and Early Embryonic Development Toxicity of hzVSF-v13 in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Humanized virus suppressing factor-variant 13 (hzVSF-v13), a monoclonal IgG4 antibody, is a potential therapeutic candidate for COVID-19. Although fertility and embryonic developmental toxicity studies are crucial for the safety evaluation of new drugs, the toxicological profile of hzVSF-v13 remains unexplored. This study was performed to assess its effects on general toxicity, fertility, and early embryonic development in Sprague-Dawley rats administered intravenously once weekly at doses of 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg.

Distinct AQP4 Alterations in Movement Disorders with Primary Synucleinopathy.

Background: Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is involved in clearing amyloidogenic proteins, but it remains unexplored how it is comparatively altered in neuron- and oligodendrocyte-predominant synucleinopathies.

Objective: The aim was to assess AQP4 protein localization and abundance in Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA).

Methods: The motor cortex and subcortical white matter of PD (n = 29), MSA (n = 19), and controls (n = 17) were immunohistochemically analyzed.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Cervical Kyphotic Deformity Despite Laminar Reconstruction in Cervical Intradural Tumor Surgery.

Background And Objectives: Despite successful cervical intradural tumor resection, kyphotic deformity remains a significant concern affecting patients' quality of life. To prevent this, laminectomy is often followed by laminar reconstruction, yet kyphosis can still develop. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors contributing to postoperative kyphotic deformity in patients undergoing laminar reconstruction for cervical intradural tumors.

Integrated transcriptome analysis of rats exposed to bisphenol mixtures from the fetal to developmental stage.

Bisphenol A (BPA), widely used in plastics and resins, has raised health concerns for its endocrine-disrupting effects. BPA analogues such as bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) emerged as alternatives but exhibit similar risks. Despite regulations on BPA in many countries, alternatives remain insufficiently controlled.

Comparative analyses of venom and salivary gland-specific anti-microbial peptide and proteins of some hymenopteran and heteropteran insects.

To test the hypothesis that the expression profiles, evolutionary patterns, and functionalities of anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) and proteins in some hymenopteran and heteropteran species are influenced by their distinct ecological traits, we conducted venom and salivary gland-specific transcriptome analyses. We compared the expression and evolutionary patterns of anti-microbial peptide and proteins across 22 hymenopteran and 9 heteropteran species. Additionally, we investigated the structural properties of selected defensins and assessed their anti-microbial and hemolytic activities.

"Don't you plan on voting?" The motives and effects of peer pressure in voter mobilization.

This paper studies the motives behind socially pressuring others in the context of voter mobilization. In this online experiment, college students choose whether to send an email that pressures their campus peers to register to vote for the 2020 U.S.

Synergistic epigenetic modulation by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and Wnt3a drives osteogenic trans-differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes through and .

Background: In elderly patients, bone regeneration is impeded by age-related shifts in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation propensity toward adipogenesis over osteogenesis. We investigated whether DNA demethylation by 5‑aza‑2'‑deoxycytidine (5azaC) synergizes with Wnt Family Member 3A (Wnt3a) signaling to induce osteogenic potential in 3T3‑L1 pre-adipocytes, generating osteoblast-like cells.

Methods: 3T3‑L1 pre-adipocytes were treated with 5azaC and/or Wnt3a.

Improved bone regeneration with bone targeted scaffold.

The sustained release and bone tissue-specific localization of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) are crucial factors in overcoming the shortcomings in its clinical use. In a previous study, we introduced a bone-targeted, lipoplex-loaded, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted bilayer scaffold, termed polycaprolactone-bioink-nanoparticle (PBN). We confirmed the bone-specific and sustained release of BMP-2 with PBN in silico and in vitro and demonstrated improved bone formation in vivo.

Solitary Subcutaneous Nodular Lymphoid Lesions in Dogs: Histopathologic and Immunophenotypic Comparison of B-Cell Pseudolymphoma and Subcutaneous Panniculitis-like T-Cell Lymphoma.

This report describes two cases of solitary subcutaneous nodular lymphoid lesions in dogs. Case 1 involved a 6-year-old male Maltese and Case 2 a 5-year-old female Yorkshire Terrier. Both presented with firm, non-ulcerated dorsal subcutaneous nodules and were unresponsive to corticosteroids.

Reduced plasma hexosylceramides in frontotemporal dementia are a biomarker of white matter integrity.

Introduction: Blood biomarkers are needed to facilitate new therapeutic trials and improve management of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). Since altered white matter integrity is characteristic of bvFTD, this study aimed to determine if plasma levels of myelin-enriched glycolipids are altered in bvFTD and correlate with white matter integrity.

Methods: Nineteen glycolipids were quantified in bvFTD ( = 31) and control ( = 26) plasma samples.

Comparative study on the toxicity of Polygoni Multiflori Radix: Assessment of decoction extract and powder in single-dose and 13-week repeated-dose toxicity studies in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine widely used for its biological activities. PMR's major components vary by extract form. However, toxicity studies on PMR decoction extract and powder are needed to ensure its safe use.

Targeting Redox Signaling Through Exosomal MicroRNA: Insights into Tumor Microenvironment and Precision Oncology.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a dual role in cancer progression, acting as both signaling molecules and drivers of oxidative damage. Emerging evidence highlights the intricate interplay between ROS, microRNAs (miRNAs), and exosomes within the tumor microenvironment (TME), forming a regulatory axis that modulates immune responses, angiogenesis, and therapeutic resistance. In particular, oxidative stress not only stimulates exosome biogenesis but also influences the selective packaging of redox-sensitive miRNAs (miR-21, miR-155, and miR-210) via RNA-binding proteins such as hnRNPA2B1 and SYNCRIP.

Comparison of suboccipital craniectomy versus suboccipital cranioplasty in foramen magnum decompression for adult Chiari malformation.

Objective: Foramen magnum decompression (FMD) by suboccipital craniectomy, which aims to restore CSF flow and alleviate symptoms, is the conventional treatment for symptomatic Chiari malformation (CM). However, suboccipital cranioplasty is considered to maintain cervical alignment, prevent headaches, improve cosmetic outcomes, and provide protection against trauma. The aim of this study was to compare two surgical techniques, suboccipital craniectomy and suboccipital cranioplasty, to evaluate clinical outcomes, radiological results, and medical costs.

Dysregulation of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids is Related to α-Synuclein in Multiple System Atrophy.

Background: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disease pathologically characterized by the presence of glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCI) composed of α-synuclein aggregates. In Parkinson's disease, increases in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in phospholipid membranes promote α-synuclein binding, aggregation, and toxicity, and the inhibition of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), the enzyme responsible for synthesizing MUFA, alleviates α-synuclein toxicity. However, little is known about phospholipid MUFA or SCD in the context of MSA pathology.

A Comparative Study of Spinous Process Splitting Laminectomy and Laminoplasty for Thoracolumbar Intradural Spinal Tumor Surgery.

Background And Objectives: In intradural spinal tumor surgery, laminoplasty (LP) aims to better preserve posterior spinal structures compared with laminectomy, potentially reducing complications such as deformity and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Spinous process splitting laminectomy (SPSL), a modified form of laminectomy, also maintains the integrity of posterior spinal elements. However, there is concern regarding postoperative fluid collection at the laminectomy site.

Methotrexate-induced disruption of the serum-glucocorticoid inducible protein kinase 3 signaling pathway and its effects on brain development.

Methotrexate (MTX) is a widely used chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive agent. It is frequently detected in the environment due to its low biodegradability and toxic properties, which may pose risk to humans via contaminated drinking water. MTX impacts brain development; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Combinational regenerative inductive effect of bio-adhesive hybrid hydrogels conjugated with hiPSC-derived myofibers and its derived EVs for volumetric muscle regeneration.

In regenerative medicine, extracellular vesicles (EVs) possess the potential to repair injured cells by delivering modulatory factors. However, the therapeutic effect of EVs in large-scale tissue defects, which are subject to prolonged timelines for tissue architecture and functional restoration, remains poorly understood. In this study, we introduce EVs and cell-tethering hybrid hydrogels composed of tyramine-conjugated gelatin (GelTA) that can be crosslinked with EVs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived myofibers (hiPSC-myofibers) and hiPSC-muscle precursor cells.

Unraveling the dynamics of osteoblast differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells: Transcriptomic insights into matrix mineralization and cell proliferation.

Unraveling the intricacies of osteoblast differentiation is crucial for advancing our comprehension of bone biology. This study investigated the complicated molecular events orchestrating osteoblast differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells, a well-established in vitro culture model. Employing longitudinal RNA-sequencing analysis, we explored transcriptomic changes at the pivotal time points of 0, 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days and categorized osteogenic differentiation into proliferation, matrix maturation, and mineralization stages.

Oligonucleotide subsets selection by single nucleotide resolution barcode identification.

Effective subset selection from complex oligonucleotide libraries is crucial for genomics, synthetic biology, and DNA data storage. The polymerase chain reaction, foundational for amplifying target subsets is limited by primer design and length for specificity, which constrains the scalability of oligo libraries and increases the synthesis burden for primers. We introduce an oligo subset selection methodology that utilizes sequence-specific cyclic nucleotide synthesis and blocking of the template oligos.

Counter Ions Determine Self-Assembled Nanostructure and Activation Energy of Ion-Conductive Mesogens.

By varying counter ions of ion-conductive mesogens (ICMs) from bromide (Br), to tetrafluoroborate (BF), and to bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI), the ionic conductivity of ICM is systematically investigated based on their self-assembled nanostructure and activation energy. Thermal and phase transition behaviors of ICM-Br, -BF, and -TFSI exhibit significant variation based on the anion type. These differences are further reflected in the self-assembled nanostructures of the ICMs, which are characterized through X-ray and electron diffraction experiments.

Analysis of anxiety and pain in patients undergoing immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery or unilateral cataract surgery.

The purpose of this study was to compare preoperative anxiety and intraoperative pain between the first and second cataract surgeries in patients who underwent immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS). This retrospective study was conducted between June 20, 2023, and September 20, 2023, at Korea University Guro Hospital. A total of 170 cataract surgeries was included, and 130 eyes underwent ISBCS.

Novel Predictive Strategy Using CA19-9 and Fecal Elastase Levels to Make Treatment Decisions for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Retrospective Study.

: Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) is used as a marker to predict recurrence and survival of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recently, fecal elastase-1 (FE-1) has been shown to correlate with prognosis in patients with PDAC. : A total of 536 patients who underwent curative intent surgery between 2010 and 2019 were included in the study.

Advances in cancer genomics and precision oncology.

Background: Next-generation sequencing has revolutionized genome science over the last two decades. Indeed, the wealth of sequence information on our genome has deepened our understanding on cancer. Cancer is a genetic disease caused by genetic or epigenetic alternations that affect the expression of genes that control cell functions, particularly cell growth and division.

Human Endogenous Retrovirus K in Astrocytes Is Altered in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disease. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are proviral remnants of ancient retroviral infection of germ cells that now constitute about 8% of the human genome. Under certain disease conditions, HERV genes are activated and partake in the disease process.