Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Dynamics as Predictors of Clinical Outcomes in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) profoundly disrupts the gut microbiome and metabolome, which in turn influence immune-related complications and patient outcomes. To systematically characterize these perturbations, we performed a longitudinal analysis of fecal microbiota composition and metabolite profiles in HSCT recipients at three critical timepoints: pre-transplant (T1), peri-transplant (T2), and post-transplant (T3). We observed that reduced microbial diversity at T1 and T3 was strongly associated with increased incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), progressive disease (PD), and decreased overall survival (OS).

sp. nov., A Novel Soil Fungus from Korea.

Strain KNUF-23-295 was obtained from a soil sample collected from Nami-myeon, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do Province, South Korea, during a survey of fungal diversity in Korean soils. Molecular analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions revealed 97.3% sequence similarity to but comparatively lower similarities to other species in the genus , including (94.

Discovery and development of a safe and efficient COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, STP2104, using a novel capping library screening method.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines represent a critical avenue for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention. We developed a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine encoding a codon-optimized full-length ancestral spike (S) protein with a signal peptide, which employs our novel patented co-transcriptional 5'-capping reagent, SmartCap. From the screening capping library of SmartCap, an SC101 cap was selected to derive a novel mRNA vaccine, STP2104.

Heterologous prime-boost vaccination drives stromal activation and adaptive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Heterologous vaccination strategies have shown superior efficacy over homologous regimens in clinical studies, but the underlying immunological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Using a mouse model, we investigated the immune responses induced by heterologous prime-boost vaccination with adenoviral and mRNA vaccines. Heterologous vaccination (adenoviral prime, mRNA boost) elicited higher neutralizing antibody titers and stronger CD8 T cell responses against Delta and Omicron-BA.

Association between occupational and environmental dust exposure and autoimmune diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Occupational and environmental dust exposure is often overlooked, presenting significant public health concerns. Recent studies suggest it may increase the risk of autoimmune diseases. However, previous research has primarily focused on specific diseases or dust types, leaving the broader relationship unclear.

Overwork and changes in brain structure: a pilot study.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of overwork on brain structure to better understand its impact on workers' cognitive and emotional health. The goal was to provide evidence for the potential neurological risks associated with prolonged working hours.

Methods: A total of 110 healthcare workers were classified into overworked (≥52 hours/week; n=32) and non-overworked groups (n=78).

Outcomes of cesarean myomectomy in Singleton compared with twin pregnancies: a 10-year retrospective cohort study.

Background: To evaluate and compare the pregnancy outcomes after cesarean myomectomy in singleton and twin pregnancies.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 100 pregnant women diagnosed with myoma who underwent cesarean myomectomy at Chungnam National University Hospital between January 2012 and July 2022. Of them, 77 were singleton pregnancies and 23 were twin pregnancies.

High-fat diet promotes lipotoxicity in the podocytes of uninephrectomized mice: a targeted lipidomics and kidney podocyte-specific analysis.

Abnormal lipid metabolism is an independent risk factor for kidney injury, significantly altering the associated gene expression, particularly in single kidney models. This study investigates the impact of high-fat diet-induced lipid metabolism on podocyte injury in uninephrectomized mice. Using targeted lipidomics analysis and podocyte-specific assays, the modification of lipid profiles attributed to a high-fat diet and the development of podocyte injury caused by lipid metabolism in mice that underwent unilateral nephrectomy were examined.

Broad Antibacterial Activity and Mechanism of Garlic ( L. cv. Uiseong) Extracts against Cell Wall of .

is a pathogenic bacterium known for its resistance to antibiotics and its ability to cause infections in aquatic environments. This has made disease management more complex, making the development of alternative antimicrobial agents necessary. Uiseong garlic is a superior variety from Republic of Korea, renowned for its high level of beneficial compounds, making it a promising candidate for natural antimicrobial application.

Feasibility and effects of the telerehabilitation program during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

This study aims to identify the feasibility and effects of the telerehabilitation program for patients with hematologic cancer who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In this single-arm prospective study, a telerehabilitation program was administered to patients who underwent HSCT. The program utilized a camera and video conferencing system, delivering 30-minute exercise sessions based on the Otago exercise.

Rapid Drying Principle for High-speed, Pinhole-Less, Uniform Wet Deposition Protocols of Water-Dispersed 2D Materials.

Inexpensive, high-speed deposition techniques that ensure uniformity, scalability, wide applicability, and tunable thickness are crucial for the practical application of 2D materials. In this work, rapid drying is identified as a key mechanism for pioneering two high-speed wet deposition methods: hot dipping and air knife sweeping (AKS). Both techniques allow thickness control proportional to flake concentration, achieving tiled monolayers and pinhole-free coverage across the entire substrate, as long as evaporation outpaces flake diffusion.

Dual-Mechanism mRNA Delivery via Fluorinated-Sorbitol Polyplexes: Enhancing Cellular Uptake and Endosomal Escape for COVID-19 Vaccination.

Advancements in mRNA delivery nanoparticles have significantly improved the potential for treating challenging diseases. Due to the inherent immunogenicity and rapid degradation of mRNA, specialized nanoparticles are required for efficient intracellular uptake, endosomal escape, and protection from lysosomal degradation. Although current methods enable transgene expression but achieving a balance between efficiency and toxicity remains challenging.

Plaque reduction neutralization test for smallpox vaccines: Laboratory optimization and validation method for immunogenicity assessment.

The eradication of smallpox, a historic triumph in global public health, was accomplished without a complete conception of the mechanisms underlying vaccine-induced protection. Contemporary concerns regarding potential bioterrorism threats and the possibility of smallpox reemergence have spurred research efforts toward developing third-generation vaccines capable of effectively neutralizing the variola virus. Clinical trials for a third-generation smallpox vaccine (KVAC103) are underway to obtain licensure.

Clinical evaluation and management of endometriosis: 2024 guideline for Korean patients from the Korean Society of Endometriosis.

Endometriosis, a prevalent but debilitating condition affecting women, poses significant challenges in diagnosis and management. The current 2024 guideline, developed by the Korean Society of Endometriosis (KSE), builds upon the 2018 KSE guideline. This guideline aims to provide customized recommendations tailored to Korea's unique clinical aspects and medical environment, and addresses key areas such as diagnosis, medical and surgical management, considerations for special populations, and its complex relationship with cancer.

Cellular sialoglycans are differentially required for endosomal and cell-surface entry of SARS-CoV-2 in lung cell lines.

Cell entry of severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other CoVs can occur via two distinct routes. Following receptor binding by the spike glycoprotein, membrane fusion can be triggered by spike cleavage either at the cell surface in a transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2)-dependent manner or within endosomes in a cathepsin-dependent manner. Cellular sialoglycans have been proposed to aid in CoV attachment and entry, although their functional contributions to each entry pathway are unknown.

Noncanonical Amino Acid Incorporation in Animals and Animal Cells.

Noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) are synthetic building blocks that, when incorporated into proteins, confer novel functions and enable precise control over biological processes. These small yet powerful tools offer unprecedented opportunities to investigate and manipulate various complex life forms. In particular, ncAA incorporation technology has garnered significant attention in the study of animals and their constituent cells, which serve as invaluable model organisms for gaining insights into human physiology, genetics, and diseases.

Poly(β-amino ester) polymer library with monomer variation for mRNA delivery.

Non-viral vectors for mRNA delivery primarily include lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and polymers. While LNPs are known for their high mRNA delivery efficiency, they can induce excessive immune responses and cause off-target effects, potentially leading to side effects. In this study, we aimed to explore polymer-based mRNA delivery systems as a viable alternative to LNPs, focusing on their mRNA delivery efficiency and potential application in mRNA vaccines.

Titania-Cored Janus Multipods as UV-Protective Pickering Emulsifiers for Sunscreens.

Pickering emulsifiers have gained significant interest as alternatives for conventional surfactants in various applications that includes pharmaceutics, food, homecare products, and cosmetics. However, their function is primarily focused on enhancing emulsion stability of which still remains to be resolved. Herein, Janus multipods are presented that simultaneously shield UV while offering high emulsion stability.

Innate immune responses against mRNA vaccine promote cellular immunity through IFN-β at the injection site.

mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have revolutionized vaccine development, but their immunological mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we investigate injection site responses of mRNA vaccines by generating a comprehensive single-cell transcriptome profile upon lipid nanoparticle (LNP) or LNP-mRNA challenge in female BALB/c mice. We show that LNP-induced stromal pro-inflammatory responses and mRNA-elicited type I interferon responses dominate the initial injection site responses.

Immunogenicity and Cross-Protection Efficacy of a Genotype F-Derived Attenuated Virus Vaccine Candidate against Mumps Virus in Mice.

Mumps virus (MuV) causes an acute contagious human disease characterized by swelling of the parotid glands. Despite the near elimination of mumps in many countries, the disease has recurred, even in vaccinated populations, especially adolescents. Immunization effectivity of the genotype A vaccine strain Jeryl Lynn (JL) is declining as genotype A is no longer predominant; therefore, a new vaccine strain and booster vaccine are required.

Tixagevimab/cilgavimab (AZD7442/Evusheld) prevent from COVID19 in patients with hematologic malignancies under active chemotherapy.

Despite the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, patients with hematologic malignancy may still be fatal from COVID19. Therefore, we prospectively performed the analysis of administration of tixagevimab/cilgavimab in the real-world. In August 2022, 94 patients under active chemotherapy for lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or acute leukemia received a single dose AZD7442/Evusheld (two consecutive intramuscular injections of tixagevimab and cilgavimab, 300 mg each).

Analysis of Response and Progression Patterns of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Recurrent or Metastatic Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: A Post Hoc Analysis of Two KCSG Phase II Trials.

Purpose: In this study, we evaluated 66 patients diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) enrolled in two Korean Cancer Study Group trials to investigate the response and progression patterns in recurrent and/or metastatic ACC treated with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs).

Materials And Methods: We evaluated 66 patients diagnosed with ACC who were enrolled in the Korean Cancer Study Group trials. The tumor measurements, clinical data, treatment outcomes, and progression patterns of therapy were analyzed.