The diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) can be challenging when neuroimaging findings are normal or equivo‑ cal. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), particularly histone H3.1, have potential as biomarkers for AIS. This study evaluated NETs, specifically histone H3.1, as diagnostic biomarkers for AIS. This prospective study included 89 patients with AIS and 20 healthy controls. Plasma histone H3.1 levels were measured using the Nu.Q® H3.1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seven cytokines were analyzed using a bead-based immunoassay. Statistical analy‑ ses were used to compare histone H3.1 levels between groups and evaluate correlations with clinical parameters and cytokines. Histone H3.1 levels were significantly higher in patients with AIS (271.05 ± 33.40 ng/mL) versus controls (95.33 ± 12.86 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression identified H3.1 as an independent risk factor for AIS (p = 0.006), with an area under the curve of 0.907. Significant correlations were found between H3.1, interleukin-6 (0.290, p = 0.013) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (0.297, p = 0.011). In conclusion, the NETs H3.1 ELISA test is a reliable new diagnostic option that supports the diagnosis of AIS.

The diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) can be challenging when neuroimaging findings are normal or equivo‑ cal. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), particularly histone H3.1, have potential as biomarkers for AIS. This study evaluated NETs, specifically histone H3.1, as diagnostic biomarkers for AIS. This prospective study included 89 patients with AIS and 20 healthy controls. Plasma histone H3.1 levels were measured using the Nu.Q® H3.1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seven cytokines were analyzed using a bead-based immunoassay. Statistical analy‑ ses were used to compare histone H3.1 levels between groups and evaluate correlations with clinical parameters and cytokines. Histone H3.1 levels were significantly higher in patients with AIS (271.05 ± 33.40 ng/mL) versus controls (95.33 ± 12.86 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression identified H3.1 as an independent risk factor for AIS (p = 0.006), with an area under the curve of 0.907. Significant correlations were found between H3.1, interleukin-6 (0.290, p = 0.013) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (0.297, p = 0.011). In conclusion, the NETs H3.1 ELISA test is a reliable new diagnostic option that supports the diagnosis of AIS.

The diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) can be challenging when neuroimaging findings are normal or equivo‑ cal. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), particularly histone H3.1, have potential as biomarkers for AIS. This study evaluated NETs, specifically histone H3.1, as diagnostic biomarkers for AIS. This prospective study included 89 patients with AIS and 20 healthy controls. Plasma histone H3.1 levels were measured using the Nu.Q® H3.1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seven cytokines were analyzed using a bead-based immunoassay. Statistical analy‑ ses were used to compare histone H3.1 levels between groups and evaluate correlations with clinical parameters and cytokines. Histone H3.1 levels were significantly higher in patients with AIS (271.05 ± 33.40 ng/mL) versus controls (95.33 ± 12.86 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression identified H3.1 as an independent risk factor for AIS (p = 0.006), with an area under the curve of 0.907. Significant correlations were found between H3.1, interleukin-6 (0.290, p = 0.013) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (0.297, p = 0.011). In conclusion, the NETs H3.1 ELISA test is a reliable new diagnostic option that supports the diagnosis of AIS.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of hypertension is increasing, and noodles have a high sodium content, so noodle consumption might be associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension. This study aimed to analyze the association between total and types of noodle intake and the risk of hypertension among Korean adults. Subjects aged 40–69 years were selected for this study. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 56,580 participants (18,246 men and 38,334 women) aged 40–69 years old from the Health Examinees study. Noodle and nutrient intakes were assessed using the food frequency questionnaire. Hypertension was diagnosed as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg or antihypertensive medication use. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for hypertension. RESULTS: Higher noodle consumption was associated with increased hypertension among men (HR, 1.273; 95% CI, 1.166–1.390) and women (HR, 1.116; 95% CI, 1.038–1.199). CONCLUSION We recommended reducing noodle intake and consuming vegetables and fruits to increase potassium intake, which can prevent vascular diseases.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the clinical advantage of spindle-view intracytoplasmic sperm injection (SVICSI; a novel technology) over conventional intracytoplasmic sperm injection (cICSI) in patients with poor ovarian response (POR) and previous implantation failure. Methods: The study included 37 patients who underwent SVICSI followed by fresh embryo transfer (FET) at a single fertility clinic from January to December 2022, 58 patients who underwent cICSI followed by FET at the same fertility clinic from January to December 2021 as a control group. All study participants met the Bologna criteria for POR and had at least three or more previous failed embryo transfers. Results: The number of blastocyst transfers was significantly higher in the SVICSI group than in the cICSI group. A good-quality cleavage embryo rate, blastocyst rate, and good-quality blastocyst rate were also significantly higher in the SVICSI group than in the cICSI group. There were no significant differences in the rates of fertilization, implantation, clinical pregnancy, or clinical abortion between the two groups. Conclusion In patients with POR, those who underwent SVICSI appeared to have better embryos than those who underwent cICSI. However, whether SVICSI improved clinical outcomes such as implantation and pregnancy rates cannot be proven.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact worldwide, making it difficult to transplant unrelated hematopoietic stem cells. On the other hand, cord blood transplantations in Korea increased during the pandemic. In 2021, the release of 110 cord blood units and 83 cord blood transplantations were performed. Cord blood transplants have increased by 35% compared to the pre-pandemic period (average of 58 cases over four years vs. 78 cases over two years). This phenomenon is not only occurring in Korea. In France, cord blood transplantation in 2020 increased by 19% compared to the previous year. The cord blood is the blood in the umbilical cord and placenta that would be discarded during childbirth but can be used as a useful source of hematopoietic stem cells in the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, it is essential to collect and store high-quality cord blood continuously because of the high likelihood of developing various therapeutic agents using cord blood.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ginseng extract (GSE) and taurine (TR) are widely used antifatigue resources in functional foods. However, the mechanism underlying the antifatigue effects of GSE and TR are still unclear. Hence, we investigated whether GSE and TR have synergistic effects against fatigue in mice.MATERIALS/METHODS: L6 cells were treated with different concentrations of TR and GSE, and cell viability was determined using 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium. Oxidative stress was analyzed by immunocytochemistry using MitoTracker™ Red FM and an anti-8-oxoguanine antibody. Respiratory gas analysis was performed to investigate metabolism. Expression of an activated protein kinase was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Gene expression of cluster of differentiation 36 and pyruvate dehydrogenase lipoamide kinase isozyme 4 was measured using reverse transcription– polymerase chain reaction. Mice were orally administered TR, GSE, or their combination for 30 days, and then fatigue-related parameters, including lactate, blood urea nitrogen, and glycogen, were measured after forced swimming. RESULTS: TR and GSE reduced oxidative stress levels in hydrogen peroxide-stimulated L6 cells and enhanced the oxygen uptake and lipid metabolism in mice after acute exercise. After oral administration of TR or GSE for 30 days, the fatigue-related parameters did not change in mice. However, the mice administered GSE (400 mg/kg/day) alone for 30 days could swim longer than those from the other groups. Further, no synergistic effect was observed after the swimming exercise in mice treated with the TR and GSE combination for 30 days. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our data suggest that TR and GSE may exert antifatigue effects in mice after acute exercise by enhancing oxygen uptake and lipid oxidation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Korean Magnolia obovata crude extract (KME) on plateletderived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). METHODS: KME composition was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). VSMCs were isolated from the aorta of a Sprague-Dawley rat, incubated in serum free-Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium in the presence or absence of KME (10, 30, 100, and 300 μg/mL), then further treated with PDGF-BB (10 ng/mL). VSMC proliferation was detected using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and VSMC migration was determined using the Boyden chamber and scratch wound healing assays. Western blot analysis was used to detect phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (p-ERK1/2), protein kinase B (p-Akt), and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (p-SAPK/JNK). The antimigration and proliferation effects of KME were tested using aortic sprout outgrowth. RESULTS: The HPLC analysis identified honokiol (0.45 mg/g) and magnolol (0.34 mg/g) as the major components of KME. KME (30, 100, and 300 μg/mL) significantly decreased the proliferation and migration of PDGF-BB-stimulated (10 ng/mL) VSMCs and the PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of EKR1/2, Akt, and SAPK/JNK (P<0.05). Furthermore, PDGF-BBinduced VSMCs treated with 300 μg/mL of KME showed reduction in aortic sprout outgrowth. CONCLUSION KME could inhibit abnormal proliferation and migration of VSMCs by down-regulating the phosphorylation of EKR1/2 and Akt. Thus, KME might be a functional food for preventing vascular disorders.

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor, nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor, are localized in brain areas implicated in depression including the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, habenula, and monoaminergic nuclei in the brain stem. N/OFQ inhibits neuronal excitability of monoaminergic neurons and monoamine release from their terminals by activation of G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K⁺ channels and inhibition of voltage sensitive calcium channels, respectively. Therefore, NOP receptor antagonists have been proposed as a potential antidepressant. Indeed, mounting evidence shows that NOP receptor antagonists have antidepressant-like effects in various preclinical animal models of depression, and recent clinical studies again confirmed the idea that blockade of NOP receptor signaling could provide a novel strategy for the treatment of depression. In this review, we describe the pharmacological effects of N/OFQ in relation to depression and explore the possible mechanism of NOP receptor antagonists as potential antidepressants.
Amygdala ; Antidepressive Agents ; Brain ; Brain Stem ; Calcium Channels ; Depression ; Habenula ; Models, Animal ; Neurons ; Neuropeptides ; Opioid Peptides ; Receptors, Drug ; Septal Nuclei