Clinical Significance of PD-L1, LAG3, and VISTA in Patients With Poorly Cohesive Cell Gastric Cancer.

Background/aim: Compared to other histological gastric cancer subtypes, poorly cohesive cells gastric cancer (PCC-GC) is characterized by a distinct set of epidemiological, histological, and clinical features requiring a specific diagnostic and therapeutic approach. This study analyzed the expression of programmed cell death protein ligand-1 (PD-L1), lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3), and V-domain suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA) and their impact on the survival of patients with PCC-GC.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively collected 230 surgically resected stage II/III PCC-GC cases.

Brain volumetric analysis of elderly patients based on hearing levels quantified using FreeSurfer.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of hearing loss on brain volume, particularly total gray matter, the cerebellum, and the limbic system, using MRI data analyzed with FreeSurfer software.

Study Design: Data was obtained from 745 individuals aged 60 or older who underwent health screenings at Asan Medical Center between March and December 2019. Participants were categorized into three groups based on their pure-tone hearing thresholds: normal hearing (<20 dB, = 328), mild hearing loss (20-40 dB, = 336), and moderate-to-severe hearing loss (≥40 dB, = 81).

Impact of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Recovery in Patients With Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: An Observational Study.

Background And Objectives: We aimed to assess the efficacy of various treatments for patients experiencing sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), with a focus on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and the effect of HBOT administration timing on hearing recovery.

Subjects And Methods: In keeping with guideline recommendations, patients with SSNHL enrolled in this study received systemic corticosteroids, intratympanic dexamethasone, or HBOT in combination or as monotherapy. Hearing thresholds were determined using pure-tone audiometry (dB HL), and recovery was categorized as complete recovery (CR), partial recovery (PR), slight recovery (SR), or no recovery (NR).

The sesquiterpene lactone estafiatin exerts an anti-inflammatory effect against Mycobacterium abscessus infection by regulating interleukin-1 beta production.

Background: Mycobacterium abscessus, a species of non-tuberculous mycobacteria, is known to induce chronic pulmonary inflammation in humans. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a critical role in the maturation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and the initiation of pyroptosis. However, excessive activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome during M.

CD44-targeted RIP3 gene delivery strategy for enhanced cancer therapy via necroptosis and immune modulation.

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3)-mediated necroptosis has attracted interest as a potential target for cancer therapy as it boosts tumor immunogenicity. Here, we synthesized a pH-sensitive polymer (CA) by conjugating aminopropyl imidazole (API) to chondroitin sulfate (CHS) for RIP3 gene delivery. CA can target cancer cells due to the specific binding ability of CHS to CD44 which is overexpressed in cancer cells.

Lactobacillus reuteri NCHBL-005 improves wound healing by promoting the activation of fibroblasts through TLR2/MAPK signaling.

Background: Wound healing is a complex physiological process essential for restoring tissue integrity following various injuries, ranging from minor, everyday incidents to post-surgical complications. Emerging studies have demonstrated that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can offer benefits beyond gut health, extending their positive effects on skin health. This study investigated the potential of Lactobacillus reuteri NCHBL-005, a honeybee-derived probiotic strain, to enhance fibroblast-mediated wound healing.

Temporal Bone Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Low Frequency Versus Other Types.

Background: Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for diagnosing vestibular schwannoma (VS). This study aimed to compare the incidence of VS among patients with low-frequency, high-frequency, and flat-type sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and to assess the effectiveness of MRI for each SSNHL type.

Methods: We analyzed 755 patients diagnosed with SSNHL at a single tertiary center between January 2014 and March 2020.

Clinical features of secondary BPPV: A nation-wide multicenter study.

BackgroundBenign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common peripheral vestibular disorder, and its prevalence is substantial. While primary BPPV has been well studied, the understanding of secondary BPPV is still limited.ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of secondary BPPV in a national multicenter retrospective analysis.

Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media and Dilatory Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: Balloon eustachian tuboplasty (BET) is an emerging treatment for dilatory eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction, yet its efficacy in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (COM) combined with ET dysfunction remains unclear. This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BET versus medical management (MM) alone in adult patients with COM and chronic dilatory ET dysfunction, as defined by a failed Valsalva maneuver.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial enrolled 116 participants (121 ears) between January 2021 and June 2023.

Audiologic Outcomes After Cochlear Implantation in Prelingually Deaf Children Who Have Combined Anomalies or Disabilities.

Objective: To evaluate the audiologic outcomes after cochlear implantation (CI) in prelingually deaf children with comorbid disorders.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tertiary care academic center.

Taurine Synthesis by 2-Aminoethanethiol Dioxygenase as a Vulnerable Metabolic Alteration in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits an altered metabolic profile compared to normal pancreatic tissue. However, studies on actual pancreatic tissues are limited. Untargeted metabolomics analysis was conducted on 54 pairs of tumor and matched normal tissues.

Repositioning of aripiprazole, an anti‑psychotic drug, to sensitize the chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy with limited therapeutic options. Cisplatin is a primary chemotherapeutic agent utilized in combination with other drugs or radiotherapy for PDAC treatment. However, the severe side effects of cisplatin often necessitate discontinuation of therapy and drug resistance in tumor cells poses significant clinical challenges.

Speech Perception Ability and Subjective Satisfaction After Upgrade of Speech Processor in Cochlear Implantation.

Cochlear implant (CI) users face the decision of whether to upgrade to a new sound processor (SP) with technological advances. We wanted to assess the changes of speech perception ability and aided hearing thresholds as well as subjective satisfaction after upgrade to a new SP. Fifty-five patients who have used CI for 10 years or more and upgraded to a new SP were enrolled.

Lidocaine combined with general anesthetics impedes metastasis of breast cancer cells via inhibition of TGF-β/Smad-mediated EMT signaling by reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages.

Surgical resection is the best-known approach for breast cancer treatment. However, post-operative metastases increase the rate of death. The potential effect of anesthetic drugs on long-term tumor growth, risk of metastasis, and recurrence after surgery has been investigated in cancer patients.

Cortical volumetric changes after cochlear implantation in postlingually deaf adults: correlation with speech perception abilities.

This study aims to analyse the volumetric changes in brain MRI after cochlear implantation (CI), focusing on the speech perception in postlingually deaf adults. We conducted a prospective cohort study with 16 patients who had bilateral hearing loss and received unilateral CI. Based on the surgical side, patients were categorized into left and right CI groups.

Efficacy and safety of a self-expandable retainer in endoscopic ear surgery.

Purpose: During endoscopic ear surgery (EES), it is important to maintain a clear view of the endoscopic camera to achieve a clean field. In this study, a self-expandable external auditory canal (EAC) retainer was developed to enable a more efficient and safer EES. This study aimed to evaluate the retainer's efficacy and safety in EES.

The Relationship Between Lower Vitamin D Levels and Hearing Loss in Older Adults.

Background And Objectives: Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a sensorineural disease that is associated with a number of factors. In addition to age, sex, environment, lifestyle, and comorbidities are all known to be related to ARHL as well. The prevalence of ARHL can be reduced by controlling the adjustable factors that cause it.

Impact of IL-1β on lung pathology caused by Mycobacterium abscessus infection and its association with IL-17 production.

Mycobacterium abscessus (MAB), a non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM), causes chronic pulmonary inflammation in humans. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a multi-protein complex that triggers IL-1β maturation and pyroptosis through the cleavage of caspase-1. In this study, we investigated the roles of NLRP3 and IL-1β in the host's defense against MAB.

The Role of Measuring Preoperative Social Maturation Score in Children With Additional Needs Who Underwent Cochlear Implantation.

Background And Objectives: Additional needs refer to specific requirements or support for individuals with disabilities or syndromes. Intellectual ability is a crucial outcome determinant of a cochlear implant. The social quotient (SQ) is an indirect predictor of intellectual capacity and social skills.

Multi-System-Level Analysis Reveals Differential Expression of Stress Response-Associated Genes in Inflammatory Solar Lentigo.

Although the pathogenesis of solar lentigo (SL) involves chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure, cellular senescence, and upregulated melanogenesis, underlying molecular-level mechanisms associated with SL remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the gene regulatory mechanisms intimately linked to inflammation in SL. Skin samples from patients with SL with or without histological inflammatory features were obtained.

Acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 contributes to a better prognosis for liver cancer by switching acetate-glucose metabolism.

Acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2)-dependent acetate usage has generally been associated with tumorigenesis and increased malignancy in cancers under nutrient-depleted conditions. However, the nutrient usage and metabolic characteristics of the liver differ from those of other organs; therefore, the mechanism of ACSS2-mediated acetate metabolism may also differ in liver cancer. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of ACSS2 in liver cancer and acetate metabolism, the relationships between patient acetate uptake and metabolic characteristics and between ACSS2 and tumor malignancies were comprehensively studied in vitro, in vivo and in humans.

Water Extract of Desalted Inhibits RANKL-Induced Osteoclast Differentiation and Prevents Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Mice.

Osteoporosis, which is often associated with increased osteoclast activity due to menopause or aging, was the main focus of this study. We investigated the inhibitory effects of water extract of desalted L. (WSE) on osteoclast differentiation and bone loss in ovariectomized mice.