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Elucidation of the interplay between viruses and host cells is crucial for taming viruses to benefit human health. Cancer therapy using adenovirus, called oncolytic virotherapy, is a promising treatment option but is not robust in all patients. In addition, inefficient replication of human adenovirus in mouse hampered the development of an in vivo model for preclinical evaluation of therapeutically engineered adenovirus. nc886 is a human non-coding RNA that suppresses Protein Kinase R (PKR), an antiviral protein. In this study, we have found that nc886 greatly promotes adenoviral gene expression and replication. Remarkably, the stimulatory effect of nc886 is not dependent on its function to inhibit PKR. Rather, nc886 facilitates the nuclear entry of adenovirus via modulating the kinesin pathway. nc886 is not conserved in mouse and, when xenogeneically expressed in mouse cells, promotes adenovirus replication. Our investigation has discovered a novel mechanism of how a host ncRNA plays a pro-adenoviral role. Given that nc886 expression is silenced in a subset of cancer cells, our study highlights that oncolytic virotherapy might be inefficient in those cells. Furthermore, our findings open future possibilities of harnessing nc886 to improve the efficacy of oncolytic adenovirus and to construct nc886-expressing transgenic mice as an animal model.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infection in young children. However, effective treatment against RSV is unavailable. tRNA-derived RNA fragments (tRFs) are a recently discovered family of non-coding RNAs. We made an early observation that RSV infection causes significant induction of tRFs, which are mainly derived from the 5’-end of mature tRNAs (tRF5). However, their functions and biogenesis mechanism are not fully understood. Herein, we identified an enzyme responsible for the induction of a functional tRF5 derived from tRNA-Gln-CTG (tRF5-GlnCTG). We found that tRF5-GlnCTG promotes RSV replication and its induction, assessed by Northern blot and a new qRT-PCR-based method, is regulated by ribonuclease ELAC2. ELAC2-mediated tRF5 induction has never been reported. We also found that ELAC2 is associated with RSV N and NS1 proteins. Given the fact that tRF5-GlnCTG plays a role in RSV replication, the identification of ELAC2 being responsible for tRF5-GlnCTG induction could provide new insights into therapeutic strategy development against RSV infection.

This study examines how a model's pose that signals power influences consumers' recall ability of price information in advertisements. To extend prior findings on social judgments, we suggest that the direction of consumers' gaze and willingness to pay attention to the model vary depending on the model's pose. Study 1 explores how consumers' perception of the power of the model affects their price recall ability. In particular, consumers demonstrate better price recall for items displayed at the bottom of the ad when the model adopts a powerful pose and items displayed at the top when the model in the ad assumes a submissive pose. Study 2 investigates the influence of the perceived power of a model's pose on price recall depending on the visibility of the model's face and reveals that consumers demonstrate better price recall for items displayed at the top when the model's face is not visible even when the model adopts a powerful pose. Ultimately, this research provides new insights to help marketers identify ideal locations for displaying price information in ads. More theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.

Histone variants act as transcriptional activators and repressors and have been linked to cancer progression. Park and Choi et al. show that the histone H3.3 overexpression is associated with early-stage lung cancer, and promotes cancer cell migration by upregulating a G-protein-coupled receptor.

nc886 is a regulatory non-coding RNA (ncRNA) whose expression is frequently silenced in malignancies. In the case of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), nc886 silencing is associated with shorter survival of patients, suggesting nc886′s tumor suppressor role in ESCC. However, this observation has not been complemented by an in-detail study about nc886′s impact on gene expression and cellular phenotypes. Here we have shown that nc886 inhibits AKT, a key protein in a renowned pro-survival pathway in cancer. nc886-silenced cells (nc886- cells) have activated AKT and altered expression of cell cycle genes. nc886- cells tend to have lower expression of CDKN2A and CDKN2C, both of which are inhibitors for cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), and higher expression of CDK4 than nc886-expressing cells. As a result, nc886- cells are hyperactive in the progression of the G1 to S cell cycle phase, proliferate faster, and are more sensitive to palbociclib, which is a cancer therapeutic drug that targets CDK4/6. Experimentally by nc886 expression and knockdown, we have determined the AKT target genes and cell cycle genes that are controlled by nc886 (nc886-associated gene sets). These gene sets, in combination with pathologic staging and nc886 expression levels, are a vastly superior predictor for the survival of 108 ESCC patients. In summary, our study has elucidated in ESCC how nc886 inhibits cell proliferation to explain its tumor suppressor role and identified gene sets that are of future clinical utility, by predicting patient survival and responsiveness to a therapeutic drug.

Background: Numerous studies have investigated methods of predicting postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in lung cancer surgery, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and low forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) being recognized as risk factors. However, predicting complications in COPD patients with preserved FEV1 poses challenges. This study considered various diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) parameters as predictors of pulmonary complication risks in mild COPD patients undergoing lung resection. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2019, 2,798 patients undergoing segmentectomy or lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were evaluated. Focusing on 709 mild COPD patients, excluding no COPD and moderate/severe cases, 3 models incorporating DLCO, predicted postoperative DLCO (ppoDLCO), and DLCO divided by the alveolar volume (DLCO/VA) were created for logistic regression. The Akaike information criterion and Bayes information criterion were analyzed to assess model fit, with lower values considered more consistent with actual data. Results: Significantly higher proportions of men, current smokers, and patients who underwent an open approach were observed in the PPC group. In multivariable regression, male sex, an open approach, DLCO

Background: Sutureless valves are widely used in aortic valve replacement surgery, with Perceval valves and Intuity valves being particularly prominent. However, concerns have been raised about postoperative thrombocytopenia with Perceval valves (Corcym, UK). We conducted a comparative analysis with the Intuity valve (Edwards Lifesciences, USA), and assessed how thrombocytopenia affected patient and transfusion outcomes. Methods: Among 595 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement from June 2016 to March 2023, sutureless valves were used in 53 (Perceval: n=23; Intuity: n=30). Platelet counts were monitored during hospitalization and outpatient visits. Daily platelet count changes were compared between groups, and the results from patients who underwent procedures using Carpentier Edwards Perimount Magna valves were used as a reference group. Results: Compared to the Intuity group, the Perceval group showed a significantly higher amount of platelet transfusion (5.48±1.64 packs vs. 0.60±0.44 packs, p=0.008). During the postoperative period, severe thrombocytopenia (

Technology can help expand communities of practice in music education and promote a democratic schooling process vital to culturally sustaining pedagogy. Through careful and effective implementation, technology helps connect students to relevant musical communities and supports educators in achieving student-centered thinking and practices. The increased use of technology during the pandemic created a unique opportunity for music educators to reflect on both the educational benefits and challenges of implementing technological resources in the music classroom. From smaller activities to large-scale projects, there are strong implications for how technology can play a role in transformative music education.

ObjectiveThis research conducted two studies in South Korea to explore the relationship between smokers’ self-construals and the types of cigarettes they use, emphasizing their combined effects on cessation campaign effectiveness.MethodsStudy 1 explored how smokers’ self-construals influenced their intentions to quit smoking or vaping, considering their primary cigarette usage. Study 2 further investigated this relationship within cessation campaigns, employing messages framed by both self-construal (independent vs. interdependent) and cigarette type (combustible vs. electronic).ResultsThe results of Study 1 showed that individuals with a strong interdependent self-construal were more likely to express intentions to quit smoking or vaping when using e-cigarettes compared to combustible cigarettes. Similarly, Study 2 demonstrated that cessation messages for e-cigarettes were more effective in eliciting intentions to quit when presented with an interdependent self-construal frame, while messages for combustible cigarettes showed greater effectiveness with an independent self-construal frame.ConclusionCampaigns solely focused on independent self-construals might not effectively persuade e-cigarette users to quit, as they may prioritize communal wellbeing over individual benefits. Adapting anti-e-cigarette campaigns to align with the values of interdependent self-construals could yield better outcomes in promoting cessation among e-cigarette users.

Abstract Pregnancy imposes a substantial metabolic burden on women, but little is known about whether or how multiple pregnancies increase the risk of maternal postpartum diabetes. In this study, we assessed the metabolic impact of multiple pregnancies in humans and in a rodent model. Mice that underwent multiple pregnancies had increased adiposity, but their glucose tolerance was initially improved compared to those of age-matched virgin mice. Later, however, insulin resistance developed over time, but insulin secretory function and compensatory pancreatic β cell proliferation were impaired in multiparous mice. The β cells of multiparous mice exhibited aging features, including telomere shortening and increased expression of Cdkn2a. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed that the β cells of multiparous mice exhibited upregulation of stress-related pathways and downregulation of cellular respiration- and oxidative phosphorylation-related pathways. In humans, women who delivered more than three times were more obese, and their plasma glucose concentrations were elevated compared to women who had delivered three or fewer times, as assessed at 2 months postpartum. The disposition index, which is a measure of the insulin secretory function of β cells, decreased when women with higher parity gained body weight after delivery. Taken together, our findings indicate that multiple pregnancies induce cellular stress and aging features in β cells, which impair their proliferative capacity to compensate for insulin resistance.

PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the effects of continuous exercise and the accumulation of short-duration exercise for 12 weeks on body composition, physical fitness, and lifestyle disease indices in overweight men in their 30s. METHODS Participants in the continuous exercise group (CE; n=13) performed a circuit exercise program of 30 min/session, 3 sessions/week for 12 weeks. Participants in the accumulation of short duration exercise group (ASE; n=12) performed the same exercise time of 30 min per day, divided into three sessions of 10 min. Body composition, physical fitness, and lifestyle disease indices were measured pre- and post-test and were compared by utilizing a repeated two-way ANOVA. RESULTS 1) Regarding body composition, body weight, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass, waist circumference, and fat mass decreased significantly, while hip circumference increased significantly in the CE group. Waist circumference and skeletal muscle mass decreased significantly, while hip circumference increased significantly in the ASE group. 2) Regarding physical fitness, right grip strength, sit and reach, sit up, and maximal oxygen uptake increased significantly in both groups. 3) Regarding hypertension indices, there were no significant differences in both groups, but they showed a tendency to improve. 4) Regarding hyperlipidemia indices, triglycerides (TG) decreased significantly in both groups, and total cholesterol (TC) decreased significantly in the CE group. 5) Regarding diabetes indices, there were no significant differences in both groups, but a tendency to improve was noticed. 6) Regarding arteriosclerosis indices: TG/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio decreased significantly in both groups, and the TC/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio decreased significantly in the CE group. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that both the accumulation of short duration exercise and continuous exercise can be effective in improving body composition, physical fitness, and lifestyle disease in overweight men.

This study examined the tensile strength and biocompatibility properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel tissue regeneration scaffolds with polylactic acid (PLA) mesh fabric added as reinforcement, with a focus on the impact of heat treatment temperature and the number of layers of the PLA mesh fabric. The hydrogel scaffolds were prepared using a freeze–thaw method to create PVA hydrogel, with the PLA mesh fabric placed inside the hydrogel. The swelling ratio of the PVA/PLA hydrogel scaffolds decreased with increasing layer number and heat treatment temperature of the PLA mesh. The gel strength was highest when five layers of PLA mesh fabric were added, heat-treated at 120 °C, and confirmed to be properly placed inside the hydrogel by SEM images. The MTT assay and DAPI staining using HaCaT cells demonstrated that the cell proliferation was uninterrupted throughout the experimental period, confirming the biocompatibility of the scaffold. Therefore, we confirmed the possibility of using PLA mesh fabric as a reinforcement for PVA hydrogel to improve the strength of scaffolds for tissue regeneration, and we confirmed the potential of PLA mesh fabric as a reinforcement for various biomaterials.

Abstract 2D transition‐metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) materials are promising candidates with excellent thermoelectric (TE) properties owing to their low dimensionality in electronic and phonon transport. However, the considerable coupling of the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity in such TE materials eventually results in the limit of the TE power factor increase, which severely hinders potential TE device applications. Herein, an alternative approach is demonstrated for breaking the strong coupling between the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity in single TE materials by adopting a novel stacked PtSe2/PtSe2 homostructure. By alternately piling low‐resistance (LR) PtSe2 (3 nm) onto high‐resistance (HR) PtSe2 (2 nm) as one unit, the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of such stacked homostructures can be greatly enhanced with slightly improved electrical conductivity, ultimately resulting in a TE power factor in three‐unit‐stacked homostructures that is ≈1,648% higher than that of a single PtSe2 (15 nm) layer with the same thickness. This enhancement is attributed to an independent increase in the Seebeck coefficient, which depends on the interface among the LR and HR PtSe2 layers. The findings pave the way for a method that, unlike power factor optimization in conventional thermoelectric materials, can only utilize the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of each layer in a stacked homostructure.

Coxsackievirus A6 (CV-A6) has emerged as the predominant causative agent of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in young children. Since the declaration of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a global pandemic, the incidence of infectious diseases, including HFMD, has decreased markedly. When social mitigation was relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, the re-emergence of HFMD was observed in Gwangju, South Korea, and seasonal characteristics of the disease appeared to have changed. To investigate the molecular characteristics of enterovirus (EV) associated with HFMD during 2022, 277 specimens were collected. Children aged younger than 5 years accounted for the majority of affected individuals. EV detection and genotyping were performed using real-time RT-PCR and nested RT-PCR followed by sequence analysis. The EV detection rate was found to be 82.3%, and the main genotype identified was CV-A6. Sixteen CV-A6 samples were selected for whole genome sequencing. According to phylogenetic analysis, all CV-A6 strains from this study belonged to the sub-genotype D3 clade based on VP1 sequences. Analysis of 3D polymerase phylogeny showed that only the recombinant RF-A group was identified. In conclusion, circulating EV types should be continuously monitored to understand pathogen emergence and evolution during the post-pandemic era.

Contaminated autonomous-driving sensors frequently malfunction, resulting in accidents; these sensors need regular cleaning. The autonomous-driving sensor-cleaning nozzle currently used is the windshield-washer nozzle; few studies have focused on the sensor-cleaning nozzle. We investigated the flow characteristics of the nozzle to improve its performance in cleaning the autonomous-driving sensor. The nozzle concept was based on the fluidic oscillator nozzle. Various performance parameters of the fluidic oscillator nozzle were selected and investigated. Transient fluid flow was simulated to determine the effect of the design parameters to maximize the oscillation flow phenomenon. Additionally, the spray angle and frequency were calculated. Analysis results showed that the change in flow speed affects the frequency, and the change in feedback-channel-inlet flow rate affects the angle change. To verify the simulation result, the three best models (R4+RC10, R6+RC11, R8+RC10) and the base model were manufactured and tested. The test results were consistent with the simulation results within a 6% error.

Summary: The four-chamber structure of the mammalian heart is established during embryonic development. While key regulators for ventricular development are well studied, regulatory mechanisms for atrial chamber morphogenesis remain poorly understood. Here, we found that angiopoietin-1 (Angpt1), a vascular maturation factor, is highly and specifically expressed in atrial myocardium during heart development. Loss of myocardial Angpt1 in mouse embryo led to severe impairment in atrial chamber morphogenesis. We revealed that Angpt1 deficiency results in excessive deposition of cardiac jelly, which disturbs regulation of myocardial growth, thereby impairing maturation of atrial chambers. Mechanistically, myocardial Angpt1 activates endocardial Tie2 and positively regulates expression of ADAMTS proteases, which is crucial for proper degradation of cardiac jelly. Accordingly, loss of Tie2 also impairs ADAMTS-mediated degradation of cardiac jelly in atrium. Collectively, myocardial Angpt1/endocardial Tie2 signaling in atrium promotes spatiotemporal degradation of cardiac jelly during early cardiac development and is therefore indispensable for atrial chamber morphogenesis. : Kim et al. demonstrate that myocardium-derived Angpt1 is indispensable for atrial chamber morphogenesis. Myocardial Angpt1 activates endocardial Tie2 signaling and positively regulates ADAMTS-dependent degradation of cardiac jelly. Proper distribution of cardiac jelly is critical for the regulation of myocardial growth and chamber morphogenesis in the atrium.

Purpose Colorectal cancer (CRC) is generally considered a disease of old age. Most CRCs are diagnosed at age 50 and over. CRC rarely occurs in teenagers, and the clinical features and prognosis of CRC are not clear in this population. The aim of this study was to uncover the clinicopathologic characteristics of teenage sporadic CRC. Methods Of the 21,042 patients who underwent operation for primary CRC at Asan Medical Center between July 1989 and December 2014, 19 cases (0.09%) without a familial history of CRC before 20 years of age at diagnosis were enrolled in this study. The clinicopathologic features of the teenage sporadic CRC patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results Of the 19 patients, 16 patients (84.2%) were male. The most common primary site was the left colon (descending colon & sigmoid colon) in nine patients. With respect to histologic type, adenocarcinoma represented 57.8% of cases, mucinous adenocarcinoma, 31.5%, and signet ring cell carcinoma, 10.5%. Six (31.5%) patients showed peritoneal seeding at presentation. In survival analysis, the 5-year overall survival rate of the patients who underwent curative surgery was 71.3%. Conclusion Teenage sporadic CRC is a very rare disease and the proportion of patients with a poor histologic subtype is high, but early detection and radical treatment can lead to favorable survival rates.