Domain-Selective Enzymatic Cross-linking and Etching for Shape-Morphing DNA-Linked Nanoparticle Films.

The highly programmable and responsive molecular recognition properties of DNA provide unparalleled opportunities for fabricating dynamic nanostructures capable of structural transformation in response to various external stimuli. However, they typically operate in tightly controlled environments because certain conditions (ionic strength, pH, temperature, etc.) must be met for DNA duplex formation. In this study, we adopted site-specific enzymatic ligation and DNA-based layer-by-layer thin film fabrication to build shape-morphing DNA-linked nanoparticle films operational in a broad range of environments. The ligated films remained intact in unusual conditions such as pure water and high temperature causing dissociation of DNA duplexes and showed predictable and reversible shape morphing in response to various environmental changes and DNA exchange reactions. Furthermore, domain-selective ligation combined with photoinduced interlayer mixing allowed for the fabrication of unusual edge-sealed double-layered films through midlayer etching, which is difficult to realize by other methods.

Prevalence of dental disorders among people with mental illness: An umbrella review.

OBJECTIVE: Psychiatric patients have increased rates of comorbid physical illness. There are less data on dental disease, especially decay, despite risk factors including lifestyle and psychotropic side effects such as xerostomia. We therefore undertook an umbrella review of all meta-analyses on the association between mental illness and oral health. METHODS: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase and CINAHL. Articles were independently assessed. Outcomes were caries, periodontal disease, erosion, and partial or total tooth loss (edentulism), measured where possible with standardised measures such as the mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth or surfaces. Quality was assessed in line with National Institutes of Health guidelines. RESULTS: We identified 11 meta-analyses. The most information and strongest association was between dental decay and severe mental illness or substance use, as well as erosion and eating disorders. Depressive, anxiety and eating disorders were also associated with caries, but the datasets were small. People with severe mental illness had nearly three times the odds of having lost all their teeth than the general community (odds ratio = 2.81, 95% confidence interval = [1.73, 4.57]) and those with depression between 1.17 and 1.32. Findings for periodontal disease were more equivocal, possibly because of study heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Mental health clinicians should screen for oral diseases when treating those with mental illness and facilitate referral to affordable dental clinics when indicated. Prevention should be a priority, including the promotion of dental care, as well as the management of xerostomia when psychopharmacologic agents are prescribed.

Artificial Rainfall on Grain Quality and Baking Characteristics of Winter Wheat Cultivars in Korea.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stands as a significant cereal crop globally, including in Korea, where its consumption reached 35.7 kg per capita in 2023. In the southern regions of Korea, wheat cultivation follows paddy rice, with harvesting typically occurring during the rainy season in mid-June. This timing, coupled with the high humidity and unpredictable rainfall, often leads to pre-harvest sprouting and subsequent deterioration in flour quality. To assess the impact of rain on flour quality, an artificial rain treatment was administered 45 days after heading in an open field greenhouse, followed by flour quality analysis. The color measurement revealed an increase in the L* parameter, indicative of enhanced kernel vitreousness, attributed to endosperm starch degradation via alpha-amylase activation induced by water absorption. Moreover, significant changes were observed in ash content and the gluten index within the wetted group, resulting in decreased dough strength and stability, ultimately leading to a reduction in loaf volume. Consequently, it is recommended that wheat be harvested 4-7 days after reaching the physiological maturity stage to avoid the rainy season and ensure the production of high-quality wheat.

Effects of long-term intermittent pharmacological therapy with ulipristal acetate on reducing the volume of uterine fibroids and relieving symptoms.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a 12-week course and four repeated 12-week courses of daily 5 mg ulipristal acetate (UPA) on reducing the volume and relieving symptoms of uterine fibroids. METHODS: From 2016 to 2019, 287 female patients with uterine fibroids diagnosed using ultrasonography were recruited. The patients received four 12-week course treatments of daily UPA administration in the first and fourth sessions, respectively. During the first and fourth courses of UPA, we measured the volume of the fibroids using ultrasonography to study the effect on volume reduction. The measured outcomes included symptomatic relief and adverse effects. RESULTS: After the first UPA treatment course, menorrhagia was improved in 82.2% of patients. A total of 59.5% of patients were responsive to treatment, and the volume of the three largest fibroids decreased from 160.9 cm3 to 104.6 cm3. After the fourth treatment course, 87.4% of patients reported decreased bleeding. A total of 67.2% of patients were responsive to treatment, and the volume of the three largest fibroids decreased from 171.7 cm3 to 106.5 cm3. In 64 (38.1%) patients in group A and 36 (30.3%) in group B, the fibroid volume increased. Among them, 72% of patients showed improved symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine bleeding, pain, and reduced fibroid volume were adequately regulated in patients with symptomatic fibroids with four repeated 12-week courses of daily UPA.

Increased Risk of Anemia in Patients with Asthma.

Purpose: Asthma can cause a systemic inflammatory response, and anemia of chronic disease (ACD) is known to be caused by other disorders with a chronic inflammatory state. However, it is unclear whether the incidence of anemia is increased in patients with asthma. The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of anemia in patients with asthma and healthy adults. Patients and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients newly diagnosed with asthma at Seoul National University Hospital from 2010 to 2017. Patients with comorbidities before the first visit (index date) that may increase anemia risk were excluded. Cox regression models adjusting for patient age, sex, and obesity were used to compare anemia hazard ratios (HRs) between asthma patients (n=1354) and healthy adults (n=1731). Results: This study included 3085 patients. During 5-y follow-up, anemia occurred in 203 (15.0%) patients with asthma and 79 (4.6%) healthy adults. Compared with healthy adults, the HR for anemia after adjusting for age, sex, and obesity was 4.06 (95% CI: 2.70-6.09) in patients with asthma. In patients aged 18-64.9 y, the adjusted HR of anemia was 3.27 (95% CI: 2.12-5.04) in patients with asthma, compared to healthy patients. In patients >65 y, this adjusted HR was 5.56 (95% CI: 1.31-23.67). Conclusion: The risk of anemia was increased in patients with asthma after adjusting for sex, age, and obesity and excluding comorbidities that can cause anemia. These results suggest the need for regular monitoring for anemia in patients with asthma.

Validation of prediction algorithm for risk estimation of intracranial aneurysm development using real-world data.

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is difficult to detect, and most patients remain undiagnosed, as screening tests have potential risks and high costs. Thus, it is important to develop risk assessment system for efficient and safe screening strategy. Through previously published research, we have developed a prediction model for the incidence risk of IA using cohort observational data. This study was designed to verify whether such a prediction model also demonstrates sufficient clinical performance in predicting the prevalence risk at the point of health screening, using cross-sectional data. The study population comprised individuals who visited the Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital Health Promotion Center in Korea for voluntary medical checkups between 2007 and 2019. All participants had no history of cerebrovascular disease and underwent brain CTA for screening purpose. Presence of IA was evaluated by two specialized radiologists. The risk score was calculated using the previously developed AI model, and 0 point represents the lowest risk and 100 point represents the highest risk. To compare the prevalence according to the risk, age-sex standardization using national database was performed. A study collected data from 5942 health examinations, including brain CTA data, with participants ranging from 20 to 87 years old and a mean age of 52 years. The age-sex standardized prevalence of IA was 3.20%. The prevalence in each risk group was 0.18% (lowest risk, 0-19), 2.12% (lower risk, 20-39), 2.37% (mid-risk, 40-59), 4.00% (higher risk, 60-79), and 6.44% (highest risk, 80-100). The odds ratio between the lowest and highest risk groups was 38.50. The adjusted proportions of IA patients in the higher and highest risk groups were 26.7% and 44.5%, respectively. The median risk scores among IA patients and normal participants were 74 and 54, respectively. The optimal cut-off risk score was 60.5 with an area under the curve of 0.70. We have confirmed that the incidence risk prediction model built through machine learning also shows viable clinical performance in predicting prevalence risk. By utilizing this prediction system, we can effectively predict not only the incidence risk but also the prevalence risk, which is the probability of already having the disease, using health screening data. This may enable us to consider strategies for the early detection of intracranial aneurysms.

Newspaper Reading in Families with School-Age Children: Relationship between Parent-Child Interaction Using Newspaper, Reading Motivation, and Academic Achievement.

The present study aims to observe the patterns of newspaper subscription and reading and further explore the structural relationship between parent-child interactions, children's reading motivation, and academic achievement in families with school-age children. Online surveys were administered to 1361 parents of elementary students from grade 1 to 6 across South Korea. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS to conduct frequency analysis, correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and bootstrapping analysis. Results showed the following. First, 17.0% of households subscribed to a newspaper, 28.5% of parents read paper newspapers, and 97.1% of parents read online newspapers. Second, parent-child interaction using newspapers had an indirect effect on children's academic achievement through the mediating effect of reading motivation. Overall results revealed the functions of newspaper as part of home literacy environment and the newspaper's positive contribution to a child's reading motivation and academic achievement.

Risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in meat and edible oils: results of a total diet study in South Korea.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) constitute carcinogens. In this study, the risk of PAHs being consumed through meat and edible oils was assessed using a total diet study. Results were monitored by applying the toxic equivalency factor of benzo[a]pyrene; among each category, this factor was highest in grilled beef chitterlings (1.35 µg/kg), grilled Wiener sausages (1.20 µg/kg), fried chicken wings (0.70 µg/kg), and stir-fried perilla oil (1.29 µg/kg). The chronic daily intake was calculated, and risk characterization was estimated by applying the margin of exposure using the benchmark dose approach. Most samples analyzed in our study were denoted as having no concern; however, the intake group of stir-fried beef chitterlings, pan-fried pink sausage, deep-fried pork loin, and grilled duck was regarded as possible concern, and grilled chicken was assessed as having low concern. PAH changes must be monitored on a regular basis. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-022-01137-5.

Shape-Changing DNA-Linked Nanoparticle Films Dictated by Lateral and Vertical Patterns.

The self-assembly of nanoscale building blocks into complex nanostructures with controlled structural anisotropy can open up new opportunities for realizing active nanomaterials exhibiting spatiotemporal structural transformations. Here, a combination of bottom-up DNA-directed self-assembly and top-down photothermal patterning is adopted to fabricate free-standing nanoparticle films with vertical and lateral heterogeneity. This approach involves the construction of multicomponent plasmonic nanoparticle films by DNA-directed layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly, followed by on-demand lateral patterning by the direct photothermal writing method. The distinct plasmonic properties of nanospheres and nanorods constituting the multidomain films enable photopatterning in a selective domain with precisely controlled vertical depths. The photopatterned films exhibit complex morphing actions instructed by the lateral and vertical patterns inscribed in the film as well as the information carried in DNA.

Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. Extract Induces Apoptosis-like Programmed Cell Death in Acanthamoeba castellanii Trophozoites.

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is an infectious ocular disease which is difficult to diagnose correctly and cure. Development of an effective and safe therapeutic drug for AK is needed. Our preliminary screening of more than 200 extracts from wild plants collected in Korea suggested the potential amoebicidal activity of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. extract (PAE) against Acanthamoeba species. Here, we aimed to analyze the amoebicidal activity of PAE on Acanthamoeba and its underlying amoebicidal mechanism. PAE induced amoebicidal activity against both A. castellanii and A. polyphaga trophozoites, while it showed low cytotoxicity in human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-2) and human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19). Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed subcellular morphological changes, such as increased granules, abnormal mitochondria, and atypical cyst wall formation, in the PAE-treated A. castellanii. Fluorometric apoptosis assay and TUNEL assay revealed apoptosis-like programmed cell death (PCD) in the PAE-treated A. castellanii. The PAE treatment increased reactive oxygen species production and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential in the amoeba. The enhanced expression of autophagy-associated genes was also detected. These results suggested that PAE exerted a promising amoebicidal effect on A. castellanii trophozoites via the PCD pathway. PAE could be a potential candidate for developing a therapeutic drug for AK.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in beverage and dairy products in South Korea: a risk characterization using the total diet study.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in 115 dairy products and beverages, including alcoholic, grain, carbonated, and functional drinks; fruit and vegetable juices; coffee; and tea, purchased from 10 local city markets in South Korea. The sample groups were divided into non-fatty and fatty groups, pretreated with the ultrasound-assisted extraction method and saponification method, respectively. The limit of detection, limit of quantification, and accuracy were 0.038-0.185 µg/kg, 0.114-0.560 µg/kg, and 87.64-112.25%, respectively. The measurement uncertainty was ≤ 6.38% for eight PAHs (PAH8). PAH8 was detected in 41 of the 115 samples, ranging from 0.041 to 7.793 µg/kg. The risk assessment revealed that the margin of exposure for PAH8 ranged from 3.60 × 104 to 7.84 × 1011 in the mean intake groups and from 3.60 × 104 to 5.33 × 1011 in the P97.5 intake groups. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-021-00927-7.

Controlled Assembly of Plasmonic Nanoparticles: From Static to Dynamic Nanostructures.

The spatial arrangement of plasmonic nanoparticles can dramatically affect their interaction with electromagnetic waves, which offers an effective approach to systematically control their optical properties and manifest new phenomena. To this end, significant efforts were made to develop methodologies by which the assembly structure of metal nanoparticles can be controlled with high precision. Herein, recent advances in bottom-up chemical strategies toward the well-controlled assembly of plasmonic nanoparticles, including multicomponent and multifunctional systems are reviewed. Further, it is discussed how the progress in this area has paved the way toward the construction of smart dynamic nanostructures capable of on-demand, reversible structural changes that alter their properties in a predictable and reproducible manner. Finally, this review provides insight into the challenges, future directions, and perspectives in the field of controlled plasmonic assemblies.

Continuous Exposure to 1.7 GHz LTE Electromagnetic Fields Increases Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species to Decrease Human Cell Proliferation and Induce Senescence.

Due to the rapid development of mobile phone technology, we are continuously exposed to 1.7 GHz LTE radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs), but their biological effects have not been clarified. Here, we investigated the non-thermal cellular effects of these RF-EMFs on human cells, including human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs), Huh7 and Hep3B liver cancer stem cells (CSCs), HeLa and SH-SY5Y cancer cells, and normal fibroblast IMR-90 cells. When continuously exposed to 1.7 GHz LTE RF-EMF for 72 h at 1 and 2 SAR, cell proliferation was consistently decreased in all the human cells. The anti-proliferative effect was higher at 2 SAR than 1 SAR and was less severe in ASCs. The exposure to RF-EMF for 72 h at 1 and 2 SAR did not induce DNA double strand breaks or apoptotic cell death, but did trigger a slight delay in the G1 to S cell cycle transition. Cell senescence was also clearly observed in ASC and Huh7 cells exposed to RF-EMF at 2 SAR for 72 h. Intracellular ROS increased in these cells and the treatment with an ROS scavenger recapitulated the anti-proliferative effect of RF-EMF. These observations strongly suggest that 1.7 GHz LTE RF-EMF decrease proliferation and increase senescence by increasing intracellular ROS in human cells.