Phase II randomized study of dostarlimab alone or with bevacizumab versus non-platinum chemotherapy in recurrent gynecological clear cell carcinoma (DOVE/APGOT-OV7/ENGOT-ov80).

Background: Recurrent gynecological clear cell carcinoma (rGCCC) has a low objective response rate (ORR) to chemotherapy. Previous preclinical and clinical data suggest a potential synergy between immune checkpoint inhibitors and bevacizumab in rGCCC. Dostarlimab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), combined with the anti-angiogenic bevacizumab, presents a novel therapeutic approach.

Bintrafusp Alfa for Recurrent or Metastatic Cervical Cancer After Platinum Failure: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

Importance: Cervical cancer is a common and lethal cancer worldwide. Bintrafusp alfa is a first-in-class bifunctional fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain of the human transforming growth factor β receptor II (or transforming growth factor β trap) fused via a flexible linker to the C-terminus of each heavy chain of an immunoglobulin G1 antibody blocking programmed cell death 1 ligand 1.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and response rates of bintrafusp alfa in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer.

Investigation of Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) on a Flexible Substrate and Its Functionalization by Metal Doping for Gas-Sensing Applications.

Graphene materials synthesized using direct laser writing (laser-induced graphene; LIG) make favorable sensor materials because of their large surface area, ease of fabrication, and cost-effectiveness. In particular, LIG decorated with metal nanoparticles (NPs) has been used in various sensors, including chemical sensors and electronic and electrochemical biosensors. However, the effect of metal decoration on LIG sensors remains controversial; hypotheses based on computational simulations do not always match the experimental results, and even the experimental results reported by different researchers have not been consistent.

Triplet maintenance therapy of olaparib, pembrolizumab and bevacizumab in women with BRCA wild-type, platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer: the multicenter, single-arm phase II study OPEB-01/APGOT-OV4.

In this multicenter, open-label, single-arm, Phase II study with Simon two-stage optimum design (NCT04361370), we investigate the efficacy and safety of triplet maintenance (olaparib, pembrolizumab, bevacizumab) in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer who are wild-type for BRCA 1/2. A total of 44 patients were enrolled, and the median follow-up duration was 22.9 months (interquartile range: 17.

Elastomeric electrolytes for high-energy solid-state lithium batteries.

The use of lithium metal anodes in solid-state batteries has emerged as one of the most promising technologies for replacing conventional lithium-ion batteries. Solid-state electrolytes are a key enabling technology for the safe operation of lithium metal batteries as they suppress the uncontrolled growth of lithium dendrites. However, the mechanical properties and electrochemical performance of current solid-state electrolytes do not meet the requirements for practical applications of lithium metal batteries.

Association between sleep disturbance and occupational injury among Korean employees.

Background: Occupational injury has been a serious social problem steadily. Sleep disturbance is a risk factor for occupational injury. However, there were few researches studied on the linking between sleep disturbance and occupational injury in general working population of Korea.

Photothermochemical Nanoassembly of 3D Porous Graphene and Palladium Nanoparticles for High-Performance Hydrogen Detection.

Hybrid materials comprising graphene and palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) are desirable for high-performance hydrogen detection because of the high specific surface area, electron mobility, and flexibility of graphene and the high electrochemical responsivity and reversibility of PdNPs. However, obtaining hybrid materials is energy-intensive and time-consuming. Here, a facile and rapid laser photothermochemical single-step processing method to synchronously produce a nanoassembly of three-dimensional porous graphene and PdNPs from polymer films is reported.

Significance of serum CA125 level in surgically resected cervical adenocarcinoma with adverse features.

Objective: Unlike cervical squamous cell carcinoma, there are no consensus criteria for serum tumor markers in cervical adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to identify the prognostic value of preoperative carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) levels in cervical adenocarcinoma patients with adverse pathologic features.

Methods: A total of 105 patients who underwent radical hysterectomy followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiation therapy were included.

Enhancement of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of adipose-derived human mesenchymal stem cells by making uniform spheroid on the new nano-patterned plates.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions; thus, several MSC products have been applied as cell therapy in clinical trials worldwide. Recent studies have demonstrated that MSC spheroids have superior anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions to a single cell suspension. Current methods to prepare MSC spheroids include hanging drop, concave microwell aggregation, spinner flask, and gravity circulation.

A single-arm phase II study of olaparib maintenance with pembrolizumab and bevacizumab in non-mutated patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (OPEB-01).

Background: The optimal treatment of wild-type patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer remains unknown. Recently, there is an increase in the evidence to support the role of the combination of a poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitor, anti-angiogenic agents, and immunotherapy as maintenance therapy in wild-type patients with platinum-sensitive recurrence. We hypothesized that adding pembrolizumab and bevacizumab to olaparib maintenance can increase progression-free survival (PFS) in wild-type patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.

Survival Effects of Cytoreductive Surgery for Refractory Patients after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.

Purpose: Salvage second-line chemotherapy is usually recommended for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (AEOC) who develop progressive disease (PD) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Herein, we investigated the role of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for such patients.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 36 patients with AEOC who developed PD after receiving NAC at two tertiary academic centers with different treatment strategies between 2001 and 2016.

Association between employment status and sickness presenteeism among Korean employees: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Sickness presenteeism (SP) indicates "going to work while being ill." The importance of SP has only recently been investigated, and the association between SP and employment status has been inconsistent across studies. Therefore, we conducted this study to explore the association between SP and employment status by using presenteeism propensity (PP), which can reflect the individual decision-making process.

Anti-Tumor Effects of Wee1 Kinase Inhibitor with Radiotherapy in Human Cervical Cancer.

Although the concurrent use of a chemotherapeutic agent and radiotherapy improves survival in patients with locally advanced or recurrent cervical cancer, severe side effects related to chemotherapy are frequent and may result in a low quality of life for the patients. In this study, we investigated the effects of a combination of Wee1 inhibitor (AZD1775) and irradiation in cervical cancer. In vitro effects of AZD1775 with irradiation in human cervical cancer cells were assessed by clonogenic survival and apoptosis assays.

A phase II study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus durvalumab and tremelimumab in advanced-stage ovarian cancer: a Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group Study (KGOG 3046), TRU-D.

Background: A single-arm phase II study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus durvalumab and tremelimumab in the treatment of advanced-stage ovarian cancer has begun in Korea. We hypothesized that adding durvalumab (anti-programmed death-ligand 1 antibody) and tremelimumab (anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 antibody) to chemotherapy in treating this cancer can increase progression-free survival (PFS) with minimal effects on safety.

Methods: During treatment, serial biopsies will be performed on pre-treatment, at interval debulking surgery and progression to identify immune biomarkers and changes in the tumor microenvironment.

A study of relationship between blood mercury concentration and hypertension in residents living in old mine fields and related factors.

Background: In Korea, around the abandoned metal mines, heavy metals are being accumulating in the cultivated areas. Among exposed heavy metals, mercury is known to harm for cardiovascular system known to affect blood pressure. So, we studied the relationship between blood mercury level and hypertension in residents around abandoned metal mines.

Synthesis of Poly(phenylene polysulfide) Networks from Elemental Sulfur and -Diiodobenzene for Stretchable, Healable, and Reprocessable Infrared Optical Applications.

The synthesis and characterization of poly(phenylene polysulfide) networks (PSNs) with controlled average sulfur ranks, from elemental sulfur (ES) and -diiodobenzene (DIB), are investigated. The PSN films, prepared via simple hot pressing, are found to possess large extensibility up to around 300% and complete recovery of shape and mechanical properties after deformation, which are attributed to the loosely cross-linked network structures mainly consisting of linear poly(phenylene polysulfide) chains. The covalent polysulfide linkages in the PSNs also exhibit dynamic behaviors under ultraviolet (UV) or thermal treatment, thus, enabling self-healing and reprocessing of the films when scratched and broken, respectively.

Tailoring biomimetic polymer networks towards an unprecedented combination of versatile mechanical characteristics.

Biomimetic polymeric materials, adopting the basic molecular design principles of biological materials, have been extensively studied in recent years but it is still challenging to combine assorted mechanical characteristics in a single material. Here, we present a simple and effective strategy to prepare mechanically robust yet resilient biomimetic polymer networks by utilizing dual noncovalent and covalent cross-linkings. Tailoring the dual cross-links consisting of thiourea noncovalent interactions and epoxy-amine covalent linkages in the biomimetic polymer networks enables a rare combination of excellent elastic modulus (1.

Prediction of survival outcomes in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer using machine learning methods.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a new prognostic classification for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients using gradient boosting (GB) and to compare the accuracy of the prognostic model with the conventional statistical method.

Methods: Information of EOC patients from Samsung Medical Center (training cohort, n=1,128) was analyzed to optimize the prognostic model using GB. The performance of the final model was externally validated with patient information from Asan Medical Center (validation cohort, n=229).

Synergistic Effects of Various Ceramic Fillers on Thermally Conductive Polyimide Composite Films and Their Model Predictions.

In this study, thermally conductive composite films were fabricated using an anisotropic boron nitride (BN) and hybrid filler system mixed with spherical aluminum nitride (AlN) or aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) particles in a polyimide matrix. The hybrid system yielded a decrease in the through-plane thermal conductivity, however an increase in the in-plane thermal conductivity of the BN composite, resulting from the horizontal alignment and anisotropy of BN. The behavior of the in-plane thermal conductivity was theoretically treated using the Lewis⁻Nielsen and modified Lewis⁻Nielsen theoretical prediction models.

Optimal cutoff age for predicting prognosis associated with serous epithelial ovarian cancer: what is the best age cutoff?

Objective: Elderly age is one of the poor prognostic factors in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), but the optimal age cut-off is not known. The present study sought to identify the ideal age cutoff that represents a negative prognostic factor in EOC, considering the geriatric assessment.

Methods: Hazard ratios (HRs) with p-values were calculated using all possible age cutoffs with stage, histology, grade, optimality and comorbidities as covariates in multivariate Cox regression model.

Anisotropy-Driven High Thermal Conductivity in Stretchable Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanohybrid Films.

Controlling the anisotropy of two-dimensional materials with orientation-dependent heat transfer characteristics is a possible solution to resolve severe thermal issues in future electronic devices. We demonstrate a dramatic enhancement in the in-plane thermal conductivity of stretchable poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanohybrid films containing small amounts (below 10 wt %) of hexagonal boron nitride ( h-BN) nanoplatelets. The h-BN nanoplatelets were homogeneously dispersed in the PVA polymer solution by ultrasonication without additional surface modification.

In Situ Polymerization of Dopamine on Graphene Framework for Charge Storage Applications.

Polydopamine, a functional coating material, is redox active as cathode materials for both Li- and Na-ion batteries or hybrid capacitors. Here, a polydopamine coating onto 3D graphene framework is introduced through a simple hydrothermal process, during which graphene oxide serves not only as an oxidant for assisting the polymerization of dopamine, but also as a template for the conformal growth of polydopamine. High-density films are fabricated by compressing the polydopamine-coated graphene aerogels, which can be directly used as free-standing and flexible cathodes in both Li- and Na-cells.

A cross-sectional study on the pulmonary function of residents in two urban areas with different PM concentrations: data from the fourth Korea national health and nutrition examination survey (KNHANES) 2007-2009.

Background: The present study aims to compare the pulmonary function of residents of Seoul special city (Seoul) and Jeju special self-governing province including Jeju city and Seogwipo city (Jeju), characterized by vastly different annual average airborne particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less ≤10 μm (PM) concentrations, with the annual average PM concentration in Seoul being significantly higher than that in Jeju.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the pulmonary function test results and sociodemographic data of Korean adults ≥19 years of age derived from the 4th KNHANES, 2007-2009. A total of 830 individuals residing in Seoul or Jeju were included in this study.

Clinical outcomes of patients with clear cell and endometrioid ovarian cancer arising from endometriosis.

Objective: The aim of this investigation is to compare outcomes of patients according to the presence of cancer arising from endometriosis in ovarian clear cell carcinoma (CCC) and endometrioid carcinoma (EC).

Methods: This study retrospectively investigated 224 CCC and EC patients treated in Samsung Medical Center from 2001 to 2015 to identify cancer arising from endometriosis according to Sampson and Scott criteria. Propensity score matching was performed to compare patients arising from endometriosis to patients without endometriosis (ratio 1:1) according to stage, age, lymph node metastasis (LNM), cancer antigen (CA)-125 level, and residual status after debulking surgery.