National University College

Association between smoking status and choroidal thickness in the Korean population: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017–2021

Smoking has been suggested to influence choroidal circulation and structure, but population-based evidence regarding its association with choroidal thickness remains limited. This cross-sectional, population-based study investigated the association between smoking status and subf...

Polypropylene Microplastics Disrupt Epithelial Barrier Integrity and Viability in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Objective To investigate the effects of polypropylene microplastics (PP-MPs) on the integrity and viability of upper airway epithelial cells and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods Human nasal primary epithelial cells and a human alveolar epithelial cell line A549 wer...

Perceived training needs and barriers among Korean residents: a cross-sectional survey for competency-based education

PURPOSE: Current South Korean resident education relies heavily on apprenticeship models rather than the systematic curricula needed for multifaceted competency development. Therefore, a rigorous needs assessment is required for effective program design, particularly to target ye...

Comparison of diestrus duration and temporal gene expression patterns in vaginal smear samples from pseudopregnant rats induced by sonic vibration or mating with vasectomized males

BACKGROUND: Induction of pseudopregnancy is a prerequisite for successful embryo transfer in rats. Conventionally, pseudopregnancy is induced by mating females with vasectomized males. Although effective, this method requires surgical preparation and maintenance of sterile males...

Neddylation of NFATc1 and Runx2 regulates osteoclast–osteoblast balance and represents a dual-action therapeutic target for postmenopausal osteoporosis

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) arises from a bone remodeling imbalance in which osteoclast-mediated resorption exceeds osteoblast-driven formation. However, current therapies primarily target osteoclasts without restoring osteoblast function, underscoring the need for mechani...