Fish and meat intake in relation to colorectal adenoma in asymptomatic Korean adults.

Introduction: Colorectal adenomas are recognized as precursors to colorectal cancer through the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Identifying modifiable dietary factors that may inhibit cancer progression is critical, but epidemiologic studies in Asian populations are scarce. Methods: This study explored the impact of fish and meat intake on colorectal adenoma risk among Koreans. The study enrolled asymptomatic adults who visited Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center for health check-ups from May to December 2011. All participants underwent screening colonoscopy and completed a validated food frequency questionnaire. The study included 536 adenoma patients, 135 high-risk adenoma patients and 1,122 adenoma-free controls. Using multivariate logistic regression, we calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for fish and meat intake related to colorectal adenoma status, significant at p < 0.05. Results: The intake of total fish, meat, red meat, chicken or processed meat showed no clear association with the prevalence of colorectal adenoma after adjusting for age, education, smoking status, alcohol intake, physical activity, body mass index, metabolic syndrome, colorectal cancer family history, total energy intake, and total fruit and vegetable intake. However, higher fish intake was associated with lower odds of high-risk colorectal adenoma, with a significant trend observed across quartiles (P for trend = 0.04). This trend was more pronounced among men than women (P for trend = 0.01). Conclusion: In conclusion, we observed a significant inverse association between high fish intake and the prevalence of high-risk adenoma, but there were no clear associations between red and processed meat or chicken in the Korean population.

Customized Visual Discrimination Digital Therapy According to Visual Field Defects in Chronic Stroke Patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Visual perceptual learning (VPL) may improve visual field defects (VFDs) after chronic stroke, but the optimal training duration and location remain unknown. This prospective study aimed to determine the efficacy of 8 weeks of VFD-customized visual discrimination training in improving poststroke VFDs. METHODS: Prospectively enrolled patients with poststroke VFDs initially received no training for 8 weeks (no-training phase). They subsequently underwent our customized VPL program that included orientation-discrimination tasks in individualized blind fields and central letter-discrimination tasks three times per week for 8 weeks (training phase). We analyzed the luminance detection sensitivity and deviation as measured using Humphrey visual field tests before and after the no-training and training phases. The vision-related quality of life was assessed at baseline and at a 16-week follow-up using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25). RESULTS: Changes in mean total deviation (MTD) scores were greater during the training phase than during the no-training phase (defective hemifield, p=0.002; whole field, p=0.004). The MTD scores improved during the training phase (defective hemifield, p=0.004; whole field, p=0.016), but not during the no-training phase (defective hemifield, p=0.178; whole field, p=0.178). The difference between the improved and worsened areas (≥6 dB changes in luminance detection sensitivity) was greater during the training phase than during the no-training phase (p=0.009). The vision-specific social functioning subscore of the NEI-VFQ-25 improved after the 16-week study period (p=0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Our 8-week VFD-customized visual discrimination training protocol may effectively improve VFDs and vision-specific social functioning in chronic stroke patients.

miR-409-3p Regulates IFNG and p16 Signaling in the Human Blood of Aging-Related Hearing Loss.

Presbycusis, also referred to as age-related hearing loss (ARHL), is a multifaceted condition caused by the natural aging process affecting the auditory system. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in human populations can identify potential genes linked to ARHL. Despite this, our knowledge of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms behind the condition remains incomplete. This study aims to evaluate a potential protective tool for ARHL treatment by comparing human blood-based target gene-miRNA associations regulated in ARHL. To identify promising target genes for ARHL, we utilized an mRNA assay. To determine the role of miRNA in ARHL, we investigated the expression profile of miRNA in whole blood in ARHL patients with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A reporter gene assay was performed to confirm the regulation of candidate genes by microRNA. Through RT-qPCR validation analysis, we finally confirmed the relationship between ARHL and the role of the interferon-gamma (IFNG) gene. This gene can be regarded as an age-related gene. Through gene ontology (GO) analysis, it has been found that these genes are enriched in pathways related to apoptosis. Among them, IFNG induces an inflammatory response, apoptotic cell death, and cellular senescence. We found that miR-409-3p downregulates the expression of the IFNG in vitro. In addition, the downregulation of the IFNG by miRNA 409-3p promoted cell apoptosis and suppressed proliferation. In conclusion, our study produced gene signatures and associated microRNA regulation that could be a protective key for ARHL patients. IFNG genes and miR-409-3p should be investigated for their usefulness as a new biomarker for treatment modality.

Micelle-based fluorogenic sensing of trypsin: a sensitive method in pancreatic disease diagnosis.

Protamine-mediated micellar aggregates, featuring an AIE-based fluorescent sensor, facilitate efficient detection of trypsin activity. This method enables the detection of trypsin at exceptionally low concentrations (0.01-0.1 µg mL-1) in urine, demonstrating its potential for early clinical diagnosis of trypsin-related pancreatic diseases.

The Suppression of Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase L1 Promotes the Transdifferentiation of Auditory Supporting Cells into Hair Cells by Regulating the mTOR Pathway.

In mammals, hearing loss is irreversible due to the lack of the regenerative capacity of the auditory epithelium. However, stem/progenitor cells in mammalian cochleae may be a therapeutic target for hearing regeneration. The ubiquitin proteasome system plays an important role in cochlear development and maintenance. In this study, we investigated the role of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) in the process of the transdifferentiation of auditory supporting cells (SCs) into hair cells (HCs). The expression of UCHL1 gradually decreased as HCs developed and was restricted to inner pillar cells and third-row Deiters' cells between P2 and P7, suggesting that UCHL1-expressing cells are similar to the cells with Lgr5-positive progenitors. UCHL1 expression was decreased even under conditions in which supernumerary HCs were generated with a γ-secretase inhibitor and Wnt agonist. Moreover, the inhibition of UCHL1 by LDN-57444 led to an increase in HC numbers. Mechanistically, LDN-57444 increased mTOR complex 1 activity and allowed SCs to transdifferentiate into HCs. The suppression of UCHL1 induces the transdifferentiation of auditory SCs and progenitors into HCs by regulating the mTOR pathway.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical and psychological aspects of temporomandibular disorders.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) caused drastic changes in people's lifestyle that affected TMD characteristics through its physical and psychological influences. The aim of this study was to define the clinical and psychological characteristics of a large group of well-defined TMD patients and seek their differences between before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to establish points of care to be emphasized in the post-pandemic era. METHODS: TMD patients diagnosed by the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) aged ≥ 18 were analyzed. Samples between September, 2017 to July, 2019 (n = 455) and March, 2021 to June, 2022 (n = 338) were collected to represent before and during COVID-19, respectively. The Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) and Symptom Checklist-90-Revision (SCL-90-R) were used to evaluate disability levels and psychological status. Clinical indices were compared between COVID periods and factors related to higher pain levels were investigated according to pandemic period. RESULTS: More patients reported pain on palpation of the masticatory muscles during the pandemic (p = 0.021) while the number decreased for neck muscles (p = 0.001) and TMJ (p < 0.001) areas. Patients reporting nocturnal bruxism (23.3-29.6%) and clenching (45.1-54.7%) significantly increased during the pandemic. TMD patients with pain without disability were more common during the pandemic regardless of pain intensity (p < 0.001). The number of patients expressing interference in daily activities decreased drastically during COVID-19 regardless of disability level (p < 0.001). Factors associated with higher than moderate pain intensity (CPI ≥ 50) were insomnia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.603, p = 0.047) and somatization (OR = 1.082, p < 0.001) before the pandemic. During the pandemic, age (OR = 1.024, p = 0.007), somatization (OR = 1.070, p = 0.006), and paranoid ideation (OR = 1.117, p = 0.003) were significantly associated with higher pain intensity. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study underline the importance of evaluating psychological profiles of TMD patients, especially somatization, paranoid ideation and psychoticism, in exceptional situations that may cause a change in individual mental status. This will lead to a better understanding of the individual TMD patient and help in planning personalized treatment strategies that will assist the patient in adjusting to changes occurring in special environments such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dietary intake is associated with the prevalence of uterine leiomyoma in Korean women: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Uterine leiomyoma (UL), the most prevalent benign gynecologic tumor among reproductive-aged women, lacks sufficient research on the potential association between dietary intake and its occurrence in Korean women. Addressing this research gap, this study aims to evaluate the potential link between dietary intake and the prevalence of UL in Korean women. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a cohort of 672 women, aged 23 to 73, were enrolled, with 383 (57%) being premenopausal. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and UL presence was determined through ultrasonography. The analysis focused exclusively on items within ten categories, including vegetables/fruit, vegetables, fruits, red meat, processed meat, poultry, fish, dairy product, milk, and alcohol. Multiple logistic regression models were employed to explore the relationship between dietary intake and the prevalence of UL, calculating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) while adjusting for confounding factors. RESULTS: Within the total cohort, 220 (32.7%) women were diagnosed with UL. High intakes of fish and poultry showed an association with higher UL prevalence. Odds ratios (95% CIs) for the upper quartiles compared to the lower quartiles were 1.68 (1.01-2.81; p trend = 0.05) for fish intake and 1.87 (1.11-3.17; p trend = 0.06) for poultry intake. Conversely, an inverse relationship emerged between dairy product intake and UL prevalence, with an odds ratio of 0.58 (95% CI 0.35-0.96; p trend = 0.05). Stratifying the analysis by menopausal status revealed a parallel pattern, with heightened UL prevalence with fish intake and reduced prevalence with dairy product intake. However, the link between poultry intake and UL prevalence was primarily observed among postmenopausal women. Among premenopausal women, elevated vegetable intake was linked to a decreased UL prevalence (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.21-0.97 for top vs. bottom quartiles; p trend = 0.01). CONCLUSION: We found that high consumption of fish and poultry, coupled with low intake of dairy products, correlated with an elevated prevalence of UL. Furthermore, vegetable intake exhibited an inverse relationship with UL prevalence, particularly among premenopausal women.

Abnormal Cholesterol Metabolism and Lysosomal Dysfunction Induce Age-Related Hearing Loss by Inhibiting mTORC1-TFEB-Dependent Autophagy.

Cholesterol is a risk factor for age-related hearing loss (ARHL). However, the effect of cholesterol on the organ of Corti during the onset of ARHL is unclear. We established a mouse model for the ARHL group (24 months, n = 12) and a young group (6 months, n = 12). Auditory thresholds were measured in both groups using auditory brainstem response (ABR) at frequencies of 8, 16, and 32 kHz. Subsequently, mice were sacrificed and subjected to histological analyses, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), H&E, Sudan Black B (SBB), and Filipin staining, as well as biochemical assays such as IHC, enzymatic analysis, and immunoblotting. Additionally, mRNA extracted from both young and aged cochlea underwent RNA sequencing. To identify the mechanism, in vitro studies utilizing HEI-OC1 cells were also performed. RNA sequencing showed a positive correlation with increased expression of genes related to metabolic diseases, cholesterol homeostasis, and target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in the ARHL group as compared to the younger group. In addition, ARHL tissues exhibited increased cholesterol and lipofuscin aggregates in the organ of Corti, lateral walls, and spiral ganglion neurons. Autophagic flux was inhibited by the accumulation of damaged lysosomes and autolysosomes. Subsequently, we observed a decrease in the level of transcription factor EB (TFEB) protein, which regulates lysosomal biosynthesis and autophagy, together with increased mTORC1 activity in ARHL tissues. These changes in TFEB and mTORC1 expression were observed in a cholesterol-dependent manner. Treatment of ARHL mice with atorvastatin, a cholesterol synthesis inhibitor, delayed hearing loss by reducing the cholesterol level and maintaining lysosomal function and autophagy by inhibiting mTORC1 and activating TFEB. The above findings were confirmed using stress-induced premature senescent House Ear Institute organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1) cells. The findings implicate cholesterol in the pathogenesis of ARHL. We propose that atorvastatin could prevent ARHL by maintaining lysosomal function and autophagy by inhibiting mTORC1 and activating TFEB during the aging process.

Usability study of a smart transfer-assistive robot with dual arms for care workers.

PURPOSE: The predicted global labor shortages and health problems for long-term care workers can be addressed by care robots. We have developed a smart transfer-assistive robot with dual arms to assist in patient transfers. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of a transfer-assistive robot with dual arms for long-term care workers in the Living Lab of Kyung Hee University. METHODS: Long-term care workers (N = 15) transferred healthy adults using the transfer-assistive robot and subsequently reported the workload differences of manual care and the transfer-assistive robot, as measured by the Borg rating of the perceived exertion scale (RPE) and the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). They also completed questionnaires on the usability of transfer-assistive robots and open-ended interviews. The RPE and NASA-TLX values for each task were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and descriptive statistics were used to calculate demographics and usability. RESULTS: The RPE scale indicated that the perceived physical burden was significantly reduced when using the transfer-assistive robot compared with the manual method. The robot-aided transfer method significantly reduced the physical demand in the NASA-TLX subscales. In the usability test, the averages for safety, operability, and satisfaction were all three points or higher, indicating a positive result. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a transfer-assistive robot has the potential to reduce physical stress and the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in long-term care workers. This study shows that the robot is effective for long-term care workers suffering from the burden of the transferring/lifting action, emphasizing the need to introduce a transfer-assistive robot into the care field in South Korea.

Transfer-assistive robots are expected to alleviate the burden of transferring and lifting actions for long-term care workers.These results emphasize the need to introduce transfer-assistive robots in the care field.Ongoing attention to the usability study of transfer-assistive robots may be valuable in improving the work environment of long-term care workers and the quality of care services provided to care receivers.