Association between Accreditation and In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Major Cardiovascular Diseases in South Korean Hospitals: Pre-Post Accreditation Comparison.

The direct impact of hospital accreditation on patients' clinical outcomes is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether mortality within 30 days of hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemic stroke (IS), and hemorrhagic stroke (HS) differed before and after hospital accreditation. This study targeted patients who had been hospitalized for the three diseases at the general hospitals newly accredited by the government in 2014.

CT and MR imaging findings of ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma associated with IgG4-related disease: multi-institutional case series.

Aim: To report CT and MR imaging findings of ocular adnexal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma associated with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-MALT lymphoma), a rare but clinically important complication of ocular adnexal IgG4-related disease.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of histologically confirmed ocular adnexal IgG4-related disease at three tertiary and one secondary referral centers, between February 2003 and December 2016. Seven cases of histopathologically diagnosed IgG4-MALT lymphoma were identified.

Anti-obesity activity of anthocyanin and carotenoid extracts from color-fleshed sweet potatoes.

The anti-obesity effects of anthocyanin and carotenoid extracts from color-fleshed potatoes were studied with 3T3-L1 cells in vitro and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice in vivo. Treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with anthocyanin and carotenoid extracts, respectively, after differentiation induction significantly inhibited fat accumulation by 63.1 and 83.

Spatiotemporal characteristics of high-density gas jet and absolute determination of size and density of gas clusters.

Properties of gas clusters such as the size and number density when expanding into the vacuum after passing through a conical nozzle are analyzed for argon at an average density of 10/cm. Temporally and spatially resolved size and density distribution were measured from all-optical methods of Rayleigh scattering measurement and Nomarski interferometry using a CW laser. At the gas backing pressure of 80 bar, Ar clusters as large as 100 nm were obtained, which differs significantly from the size estimated by the conventional Hagena scaling law.

Neurogenetics of nictation, a dispersal strategy in nematodes.

Nictation is a behaviour in which a nematode stands on its tail and waves its head in three dimensions. This activity promotes dispersal of dauer larvae by allowing them to attach to other organisms and travel on them to a new niche. In this review, we describe our understanding of nictation, including its diversity in nematode species, how it is induced by environmental factors, and neurogenetic factors that regulate nictation.

Relationships of illness representation and quality of life in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving haemodialysis.

Aim And Objectives: To examine the relationship between illness representations and quality of life and to test whether illness representations can predict quality of life, in patients with haemodialysis.

Background: Illness representations are interpretations of and actions taken by individuals when faced with threats to their health. Exploring relationship of illness representations and quality of life in patients with haemodialysis may help patients self-manage their illness and improve their quality of life.

Supraeruption as a consideration for implant restoration.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence, amount, and rate of supraeruption of the maxillary second molar according to sex, age, and history of periodontitis.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from the charts and panoramic radiographs of 65 patients who were scheduled to undergo implant placement at the site of the mandibular second molar. The amount of supraeruption of the maxillary second molar and the alveolar bone level of the neighboring teeth were measured on digital panoramic radiographs.

Spinal muscular atrophy and Farber disease due to ASAH1 variants: A case report.

Genetic variations in the ASAH1 gene are associated with a spectrum of disorders ranging from Farber disease (FD) to spinal muscular atrophy with or without progressive myoclonic epilepsy (SMA-PME). FD presents most commonly in infants with subcutaneous joint nodules, progressive arthritis and granulomas of the larynx and epiglottis leading to a hoarse cry. SMA-PME is characterized by childhood onset progressive weakness due to motor neuron disease followed by progressive epilepsy, tremor, and sensorineural hearing loss.

Health Professionals' Perspectives on the Efficacy of Using Comprehensive Care to Improve Outcomes in Patients With Traumatic Injury.

Background: Barriers related to comprehensive posttrauma care and health outcome monitoring exist. The insights and perspectives of health professionals on this issue may help integrate care experiences to provide continuous care to patients with traumatic injury.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of health professionals with regard to comprehensive care to improve the outcomes of patients with traumatic injury.

Therapeutic Effects of Saline Groundwater Solution Baths on Atopic Dermatitis: A Pilot Study.

Background: Saline groundwater, collected from the east coast of Korea, has been shown to have protective effects against 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene- (DNCB-) induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in the murine model.

Objectives: To determine the effects of saline groundwater solution baths as a treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis.

Methods: Twenty-four subjects with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis were instructed to take a bath in saline groundwater solution for 20 minutes per day for two weeks.

Combination of Red Clover and Hops Extract Improved Menopause Symptoms in an Ovariectomized Rat Model.

Red clover and hops are already known for their alternative menopausal therapies; however, their combination has not yet been studied. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of red clover and hops extract (RHEC) for treating menopausal symptoms for the first time. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for RHEC was developed and validated for the analysis of biochanin A in red clover extract and xanthohumol in hops extract.

Evaluation of Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Using Murine Intestinal Organoids.

Background: Intestinal organoids have evolved as potential molecular tools that could be used to study host-microbiome interactions, nutrient uptake, and drug screening. Gut epithelial barrier functions play a crucial role in health and diseases, especially in autoimmune diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), because they disrupt the epithelial mucosa and impair barrier function.

Methods: In this study, we generated an in vitro IBD model based on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and intestinal organoids that could potentially be used to assess barrier integrity.

Combination of PD-L1 and PVR determines sensitivity to PD-1 blockade.

Expression of immune checkpoint ligands (ICLs) is necessary to trigger the inhibitory signal via immune checkpoint receptors (ICRs) in exhausted T cells under tumor immune microenvironment. Nevertheless,to our knowledge, ICL expression profile in cancer patients has not been investigated. Using previously reported RNA-seq data sets, we found that expression of ICLs was patient specific but their coexpression can be patterned in non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs).

Persistent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 detection after resolution of coronavirus disease 2019-associated symptoms/signs.

There are limited data on the duration of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in respiratory specimens after resolution of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated symptoms/signs. We determined duration of SARS-CoV-2 virus shedding in symptomatic patients after remission of symptoms. We investigated the duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs or sputum or saliva.

Clinicopathological Significance of in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

This study aimed to understand the clinicopathological significance of runt-related transcription factor 1 () in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The methylation and mRNA levels of in NSCLC were determined using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip and the HumanHT-12 expression BeadChip. RUNX1 protein levels were analyzed using immunohistochemistry of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 409 NSCLC patients.

Downregulated Platelet miR-1233-5p in Patients with Alzheimer's Pathologic Change with Mild Cognitive Impairment is Associated with Aβ-Induced Platelet Activation via P-Selectin.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as a promising biomarker for various diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). More attention has recently been focused on the diagnosis and treatment at earlier stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) for preventing its progression to AD. To identify potential pathologic markers for Aβ(+)MCI (Alzheimer's pathologic change with MCI), we investigated miRNA expression profiles in the platelets from patients with Aβ(+)MCI, in comparison with those from Aβ(-)MCI (Non-Alzheimer's pathologic change with MCI) and CNI (cognitively normal individuals).

Concomitants of menopause-specific quality of life in premenopausal and post-menopausal women living in South Korea.

The present study investigated the concomitants of menopause-specific quality of life among premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Based on the Wilson and Cleary model of quality of life, this cross-sectional study recruited 329 women of age 40-65 years following operational convenience. The study was conducted in the office of the Korea Population, Health and Welfare Association (KPHWA) in Incheon, South Korea.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Alpinia Oxyphylla Miquel extracts in animal models.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Alpinia Oxyphylla Miquel is a widely used traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of abdominal pain, intestinal disorders, enuresis, and inflammatory conditions.

Aim Of The Study: In this study we aimed to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of Alpinia Oxyphylla Miquel extracts with 50% ethanol (AOE) in animal models.

Material And Method: The anti-inflammatory and nociceptive effects of AOE were estimated in vivo using a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model, an arachidonic acid-induced mice ear edema model, an acetic acid induced mice writhing test model, and an ex vivo sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) inhibition assay.

Tackling rare diseases: Clinical trials on chips.

Designing and conducting clinical trials are extremely difficult in rare diseases. Adapting tissue chips for rare disease therapy development is pivotal in assuring that treatments are available, especially for severe diseases that are difficult to treat. Thus far, the NCATS-led National Institutes of Health (NIH) Tissue Chip program has focused on deploying the technology towards tools for safety and efficacy assessments of therapeutics.

Analysis of the Relationship between Sleep Duration and Body Mass Index among Korean Adolescents Using Data from the 2013-2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Obesity in adolescence can continue up to adulthood and lead to various complications. There has been a continuous increase in the obesity incidence among adolescents, which is an emerging social issue. Studies have reported that decreased sleep duration in adolescents can have negative effects on health, leading to obesity.

Bilateral Interface Engineering for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells Using Phenylethylammonium Iodide.

Achieving high efficiency and long-term device stability is a vital issue for the commercialization of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PeSCs). In this work, phenylethylammonium iodide (PEAI)-induced bilateral interface engineering was developed to improve the device efficiency and stability of methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPbI)-based PeSCs. Introducing PEAI onto a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer modifies the surface properties of PEDOT:PSS and facilitates the formation of a high-quality perovskite active layer with enlarged grains on PEDOT:PSS.

Solo single-incision laparoscopic liver resection: a cohort series.

Background: Single-incision laparoscopic liver resection (SILLR) is still challenging due to the unstable surgical view, the crowding instruments and its crossover. In this study, we present a new option of solo SILLR for various liver tumours in order to overcome those difficulties.

Methods: Solo SILLR is indicated for liver tumours located in the left liver or in the superficial right liver.

Design of a randomized controlled trial of a partnership-based, needs-tailored self-management support intervention for post-treatment breast cancer survivors.

Background: Self-management is becoming essential for breast cancer survivors, but evidence about the effectiveness of self-management support (SMS) intervention is lacking. To address this issue, we developed a theory-based SMS intervention, the 'EMPOWER', aimed at empowering breast cancer survivors. Here we describe the rationale of the intervention and its development.