Fine particulate matter (FPM) is a major component of air pollution and has emerged as a significant global health concern owing to its adverse health effects. Previous studies have investigated the correlation between bone health and FPM through cohort or review studies. However, the effects of FPM exposure on bone health are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of FPM on bone health and elucidate these effects in vitro and in vivo using mice. Micro-CT analysis in vivo revealed FPM exposure decreased bone mineral density, trabecular bone volume/total volume ratio, and trabecular number in the femurs of mice, while increasing trabecular separation. Histological analysis showed that the FPM-treated group had a reduced trabecular area and an increased number of osteoclasts in the bone tissue. Moreover, in vitro studies revealed that low concentrations of FPM significantly enhanced osteoclast differentiation. These findings further support the notion that short-term FPM exposure negatively impacts bone health, providing a foundation for further research on this topic.

BACKGROUND: Bone defects are commonly encountered due to accidents, diseases, or aging, and the demand for effective bone regeneration, particularly for dental implants, is increasing in our aging society. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for regenerative therapies; however, obtaining sufficient quantities of these cells for clinical applications remains challenging. DW-MSCs, derived from embryonic stem cells and developed by Daewoong Pharmaceutical, exhibit a robust proliferative capacity even after extensive culture. METHODS: This study explores the therapeutic potential of DW-MSCs in various animal models of bone defects. DWMSCs were expanded for over 13 passages for in vivo use in rat and canine models of bone defects and osteomyelitis. The research focused on the in vivo osteogenic differentiation of DW-MSCs, the establishment of a fibrin-based system for bone regeneration, the assessment of bone repair following treatment in animal models, and comparisons with commercially available bone grafts. RESULTS: Results showed that DW-MSCs exhibited superior osteogenic differentiation compared to other materials, and the fibrinization process not only preserved but enhanced their proliferation and differentiation capabilities through a 3D culture effect. In both bone defect models, DW-MSCs facilitated significant bone regeneration, reduced inflammatory responses in osteomyelitis, and achieved effective bone healing. The therapeutic outcomes of DW-MSCs were comparable to those of commercial bone grafts but demonstrated qualitatively superior bone tissue restructuring. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that DW-MSCs offer a promising approach for bone regeneration therapies due to their high efficacy and anti-inflammatory properties.

Background and Objectives: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis.Nicotine, a crucial constituent of tobacco, contributes to atherosclerosis development and progression. However, evidence of the association between nicotine and neointima formation is limited. We aimed to evaluate whether nicotine enhances neointimal hyperplasia in the native epicardial coronary arteries of pigs after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES). Methods: After coronary angiography (CAG) and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), we implanted 20 DES into 20 pigs allocated to 2 groups: no-nicotine (n=10) and nicotine (n=10) groups. Post-PCI CAG and QCA were performed immediately. Follow-up CAG, QCA, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and histopathological analyses were performed 2 months post-PCI. Results: Despite intergroup similarities in the baseline QCA findings, OCT analysis showed that the nicotine group had a smaller mean stent and lumen areas, a larger mean neointimal area, greater percent area stenosis, and higher peri-strut fibrin and inflammation scores than the no-nicotine group. In immunofluorescence analysis, the nicotine group displayed higher expression of CD68 and α-smooth muscle actin but lower CD31 expression than the no-nicotine group. Conclusions Nicotine inhibited re-endothelialization and promoted inflammation and NIH after PCI with DES in a porcine model.

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory condition affecting multiple systems in the body, distinguished by the presence of noncaseating granulomas. It is believed that specific exposures to external antigens in individuals with genetic predisposition lead to the development of these granulomas. When diagnosing sarcoidosis, tuberculosis (TB) is a potential alternative explanation for the symptoms. Our case describes a rare coexistence of cutaneous sarcoidosis and TB pleurisy in a 75-year-old male. He was diagnosed with cutaneous sarcoidosis on his face. During the investigation for possible involvement of other organs, pleural effusion was discovered, and it was determined to be caused by mycobacterial infection. The patient received a 6-month course of anti-TB drugs to treat the TB pleurisy, while a topical calcineurin inhibitor was applied to the cutaneous sarcoidosis. This case serves as a reminder to dermatologists that the coexistence of TB with sarcoidosis is possible, not just as a differential diagnosis.

Hangovers from alcohol consumption cause symptoms like headaches, nausea, and fatigue, disrupting daily activities and overall well-being. Over time, they can also lead to inflammation and oxidative stress. Effective hangover relief alleviates symptoms, prevents dehydration, and replenishes energy needed for daily tasks. Natural foods considered high in antioxidants and antiinflammatory properties may aid in the hepatic breakdown of alcohol. The study aims to investigate the impact of glutathione or its enriched yeast extract, which is recognized for its antioxidant characteristics, on alcohol metabolism and alleviating hangovers in a rat model exposed to binge drinking. In this study, glutathione and its enriched yeast extract controlled hangover behaviour patterns, including locomotor activity. Additionally, it enhanced the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) following ethanol ingestion (3 g/kg). Further, the incorporation of glutathione led to an increase in the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD and catalase, by activating the nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway.This activation reduced the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde. Next, glutathione modulated the activity of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and the protein expressions of Bax and Bcl2. Besides, in vitro and in vivo investigations with glutathione demonstrated a regulating effect on the pan-s-glutathionylation and its associated protein expression, glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1), glutathione-S-transferase Pi (GST-π), and glutathione reductase (GR). Together, these findings suggest that glutathione or its enriched yeast extract as a beneficial dietary supplement for alleviating hangover symptoms by enhancing alcohol metabolism and its associated Nrf2/Keap1 signalings.

This study aimed to investigate changes in candidemia incidence, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility, initial antifungal use, and mortality trends in Korea before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective analysis was conducted on candidemia cases from two tertiary care hospitals in Korea between 2017 and 2022. Data were compared between the pre-pandemic (2017-2019) and pandemic (2020-2022) periods. Statistical methods included incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and multivariate Cox regression to assess 30-day mortality risk factors. A total of 470 candidemia cases were identified, with 48.7% occurring pre-pandemic and 51.3% during the pandemic. While the overall incidence of candidemia remained similar across the two periods (IRR 1.15;p=0.13), the incidence in intensive care units (ICUs) significantly increased during the pandemic (IRR 1.50; p<0.01). The distribution of Candida species did not differ significantly between the two periods. Fluconazole non-susceptibility in C. albicans markedly decreased (10.0% vs. 0.9%, p<0.01), whereas C. glabrata exhibited a significant rise in caspofungin non-susceptibility during the pandemic (0% vs. 22.4%, p<0.01).Echinocandin use increased (21.8% vs. 34.4%; p<0.01), while fluconazole use declined (48.0% vs. 32.8%; p<0.01). Although the 30-day mortality rate was higher during the pandemic (60.2% vs. 57.2%), the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.57).The findings highlight the need for region-specific surveillance and tailored management strategies to improve candidemia outcomes, especially during healthcare disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits significant sex disparities in incidence, yet its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We explored the role of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) genetic alterations and hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration, both known major contributors to HCC, in sex-specific risk for HBV-related HCC. Methods: We examined 310 HBV-related HCC tissues to investigate sex-specific TERT promoter (TERT-pro) mutations and HBV integration profiles, stratified by sex and age, and validated with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. Results: Tumors predominantly exhibited TERT-pro mutations (26.0% vs. 0%) and HBV-TERT integration (37.0% vs. 3.0%) compared to non-tumorous tissues. While TERT-pro mutations increased with age in both sexes, younger males (≤60 years) showed marked predominance compared to younger females. Males had significantly more HBV integrations at younger ages, while females initially had fewer integrations that gradually increased with age. Younger males' integrations showed significantly greater enrichment in the TERT locus compared to younger females, alongside a preference for promoters, PreS/S regions, and CpG islands. Overall, TERT genetic alterations were significantly sex-differential in younger individuals (75.3% in males vs. 23.1% in females) but not in older individuals (76.9% vs. 83.3%, respectively). These alterations were associated with increased TERT expression. The skewed TERT abnormalities in younger males were further corroborated by independent scRNA-seq data. Conclusions Our findings highlight the critical role of TERT alterations and HBV integration patterns in the male predominance of HCC incidence among younger HBV carriers, offering insights for future exploration to optimize sex-specific patient care and HCC surveillance strategies.

Colonoscopy, a widely used procedure for diagnosing and treating colonic diseases, induces transient gastrointestinal symptoms and alterations in the gut microbiota. This review comprehensively examines the evidence on alterations in the gut microbiota following colonoscopy and their possible mechanisms. Factors such as rapid colonic evacuation, increased osmolality, and mucus thinning caused by bowel preparation and exposure to oxygen during the procedure contribute to these alterations. Typically, the alterations revert to the baseline within a short time. However, their long-term implications remain unclear, necessitating further investigation. Split-dose bowel preparation and CO2 insufflation during the procedure result in fewer alterations in the gut microbiota. Probiotic administration immediately after colonoscopy shows promise in reducing alterations and gastrointestinal symptoms. However, the widespread use of probiotics remains controversial due to the transient nature of both the symptoms and gut microbial alterations following a colonoscopy. Probiotics may offer greater benefits to individuals with preexisting gastrointestinal symptoms. Thus, probiotic administration may be a viable option for selected patients.

Emerging evidence suggests that systemic inflammation may play a critical role in neurological disorders. Recent studies have shown the connection between inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and neurological disorders, revealing a bidirectional relationship through the gut-brain axis.Immunotherapies, such as Treg cells infusion, have been proposed for IBD. However, the role of adaptive immune cells in IBD-induced neuroinflammation remains unclear. In this study, we established an animal model for IBD in mice with severe combined immune-deficient (SCID), an adaptive immune deficiency, to investigate the role of adaptive immune cells in IBD-induced neuroinflammation. Mice were fed 1%, 3%, or 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 5 days. We measured body weight, colon length, disease activity index (DAI), and crypt damage. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured in the colon, while microglial morphology, neuronal count, and inflammatory cytokines were analyzed in the brain. In the 3% DSS group, colitis symptoms appeared at day 7, with reduced colon length and increased crypt damage showing colitis-like symptoms. By day 21, colon length and crypt damage persisted, while DAI showed recovery. Although colonic inflammation peaked at day 7, no significant increase in inflammatory cytokines or microglial hyperactivation was observed in the brain. By day 21, neuroinflammation was detected, albeit with a slight delay, in the absence of adaptive immune cells. The colitis-induced neuroinflammation model provides insights into the fundamental immune mechanisms of the gut-brain axis and may contribute to developing immune cell therapies for IBD-induced neuroinflammation.

Background/Aims: Although numerous noninvasive steatosis indices have been developed to assess hepatic steatosis, whether they can be applied to young adults in the evaluation of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) remains uncertain. Methods: Data from patients under 35 years of age who visited the Liver Health Clinic at the Armed Forces Goyang Hospital between July 2022 and January 2024 were retrospectively collected. Steatosis was diagnosed on the basis of a controlled attenuation parameter score ≥250dB/m. MASLD was defined as the presence of steatosis in patients with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor. Results: Among the 1,382 study participants, 901 were diagnosed with MASLD. All eight indices for diagnosing steatosis differed significantly between the MASLD and non-MASLD groups (p<0.001). Regarding the predictive performance, the hepatic steatosis index (HSI), fatty liver index (FLI), Framingham steatosis index, Dallas steatosis index, Zhejiang University index, lipid accumulation product, visceral adiposity index, and triglyceride glucose-body mass index exhibited an area under the curve of 0.898, 0.907, 0.899, 0.893, 0.915, 0.869, 0.791, and 0.898, respectively. The cutoff values for the FLI and HSI were re-examined, indicating a need for alternative cutoff values for the HSI, with a rule-in value of 42 and a rule-out value of 36 in this population. Conclusions This study presents novel findings regarding the predictive performance of established steatosis markers in young adults. Alternative cutoff values for the HSI in this population have been proposed and warrant further validation.