E3 ligase MIB1 regulates STAT1/P21 signaling via regulation of FGFR1 in colorectal cancer.

Background: Mind bomb 1 (MIB1) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that promotes the polyubiquitination-mediated degradation of NOTCH ligands and plays an important role in various cancers by enhancing tumor cell proliferation. Also, MIB1 inhibited the cell cycle progression by transcriptional repression of P21 in HCT116 cells. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that plays a significant role in the progression of various cancers.

Graves' Disease and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Korean Population-Based Study.

Several meta-analyses have found no association between Graves' disease (GD) and an increased risk of incident diabetes; however, the intricate relationship between thyroid dysfunction and diabetes remains underexplored. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the risk of incident type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in a population newly diagnosed with GD, focusing on different treatment methods and treatment duration. This was a retrospective population-based study utilizing data from the Korean National Health Insurance database.

Malignancy Risk of Follicular Neoplasm (Bethesda IV) With Variable Cutoffs of Tumor Size: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Context: The decision on diagnostic lobectomy for follicular neoplasms (FN) is challenging.

Objective: This meta-analysis investigates whether an appropriate size cutoff exists for recommending surgery for thyroid nodules diagnosed as FN by fine needle aspiration.

Methods: The Ovid-Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane, and KoreaMed databases were searched for studies reporting the malignancy rate of FN/suspicious for FN (FN/SFN) according to tumor size, using search terms "fine needle aspiration," "follicular neoplasm," "lobectomy," "surgery," and "thyroidectomy.

Recent Updates on Associations among Various Obesity Metrics and Cognitive Impairment: from Body Mass Index to Sarcopenic Obesity.

Obesity and obesity-associated morbidity continues to be a major public health issue worldwide. Dementia is also a major health concern in aging societies and its prevalence has increased rapidly. Many epidemiologic studies have shown an association between obesity and cognitive impairment, but this relationship is not as well established as other comorbidities.

Graves' Disease and the Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease: A Korean Population-Based Study.

Background: Hyperthyroidism is associated with an increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the hyperdynamic state, which is reversible after restoring euthyroidism. However, long-term follow-up of renal dysfunction in patients with hyperthyroidism has not been performed.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance database and biannual health checkup data.

Associations between obesity, weight change and decreased renal function in Korean type 2 diabetic patients: a longitudinal follow-up study.

Background: We aimed to examine the associations between the risk of decreased renal function, obesity, and weight changes in Korean type 2 diabetic patients with normal renal function.

Methods: Type 2 diabetic patients (n = 1060) who visited the diabetic clinic at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital between 2001 and 2007 with follow up surveys completed in 2016 to 2017 were recruited into the study. Decreased renal function was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.

Association between alcohol consumption status and obesity-related comorbidities in men: data from the 2016 Korean community health survey.

Background: This study was performed to investigate the association between the amount of alcohol consumption or binge drinking and obesity-related comorbidities in Korean men.

Methods: A total of 103,048 men aged 19 years or older were investigated in the 2016 Korean Community Health Survey. The participants were divided into five groups according to the standard number of alcoholic drinks consumed per week.

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Selenium on Orbital Fibroblasts of Patients With Graves Ophthalmopathy.

Purpose: In the present study, the authors investigated the effects of selenium on inflammation, hyaluronan production, and oxidative stress in primary cultured orbital fibroblasts of patients with Graves ophthalmopathy (GO).

Methods: Orbital adipose/connective tissue specimens were obtained during the course of orbital surgery for patients with GO (n = 7) and other noninflammatory problems (n = 5). After incubation with various concentrations of sodium selenite for 48 hours, supernatants from primary cultures were collected.

Gestational diabetes in Korea: Temporal trends in prevalence, treatment, and short-term consequences from a national health insurance claims database between 2012 and 2016.

Aims: This population-based cross-sectional study aimed to investigate recent trends in the prevalence and treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Korea. We also investigated trends in annual prevalence rate of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and cesarean section (C-section) in GDM patients.

Methods: We used data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment-National Patient Sample (HIRA-NPS) database, 2012-2016.

Relationship of Sarcopenia with Microcirculation Measured by Skin Perfusion Pressure in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: Few studies have examined the relationship of sarcopenia with the microcirculation. The current study investigated the relationship of sarcopenia with microcirculatory function, as assessed by skin perfusion pressure (SPP), in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

Methods: In total, 102 T2DM patients who underwent SPP measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study.

Association between Sleep Quality and Painless Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Assessed by Current Perception Threshold in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: It is known that the painful sensation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) results in sleep problems in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, it is not known that the painless DPN also is associated with poor sleep quality in T2DM. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between painless DPN and poor sleep quality in T2DM.

Recent Updates on Vascular Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

It is well known that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) complications. Previously, the concept that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a "coronary artery disease (CAD) risk equivalent" was widely accepted, implying that all DM patients should receive intensive management. However, considerable evidence exist for wide heterogeneity in the risk of CV events among T2DM patients and the concept of a "CAD risk equivalent" has changed.

Electrically stimulable indium tin oxide plate for long-term in vitro cardiomyocyte culture.

Background: We investigated whether electrical stimulation via indium tin oxide (ITO) could enhance the in vitro culture of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs), which are important in vitro models for studying the mechanisms underlying many aspects of cardiology.

Methods: Cardiomyocytes were obtained from 1-day-old neonatal rat heart ventricles. To evaluate function of NRVMs cultured on ITO with electrical stimulation, the cell viability, change of cell morphology, immunochemistry using cardiac-specific antibodies, and gene expression were tested.

The Effects of Hypoglycemic Agents on Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Focused on Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists.

The only known, effective intervention for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is weight loss, and there is no approved pharmacotherapy. Recently, new hypoglycemic agents, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), and their effects on NAFLD have received substantial interest. Herein, we review the currently available human studies regarding the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1RAs on NAFLD/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and we describe the possible mechanisms explaining the positive effects of these agents on NAFLD.

Fabrication of Wettability-Patterned Surface for Cellular Micropatterning Using Step-Wise Ion Beam Processing.

In this study, the fabrication of a wettability patterned surface for cellular micropatterning was investigated using step-wise ion beam processing. A perfluorinated poly(ethylene-co-propylene) (FEP) film was first irradiated using accelerated Xe+ ions with 100 keV of energy at the low current density of 1 A/cm² over the entire surface. Second, its confined regions were irradiated at the higher current density of 15 A/cm² at various ion fluences through the pattern mask to generate patterns with big differences in wettability.

Electron beam-based fabrication of crosslinked hydrophilic carbon electrodes and their application for capacitive deionization.

In this research, we demonstrated that a crosslinked hydrophilic carbon electrode with better electrochemical performance than hydrophobic counterparts can easily be produced using room-temperature, quick electron-beam irradiation with a hydrophilic methacryloyl-substituted polyvinyl alcohol (SPVA) binder. The SPVA binder was effectively synthesized by trans-esterification of PVA with glycidyl methacrylate. The hydrophilic carbon electrode cast on a graphite sheet from a slurry of activated carbon (AC) and SPVA was irradiated with an electron beam to form a crosslinked structure.

Association of glucagon-to-insulin ratio and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between glucagon-to-insulin ratio and the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on ultrasonography in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Research Design And Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed with data obtained from 172 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted to a University hospital of Korea. Participants were assessed for serum fasting and postprandial serum glucagon-to-insulin ratio and divided into tertiles.

Structural design considerations of solution-processable graphenes as interfacial materials via a controllable synthesis method for the achievement of highly efficient, stable, and printable planar perovskite solar cells.

Solution-processable graphenes (represented by reduced graphene oxides, rGOs) have shown promising abilities as HTLs in perovskite solar cells (PeSCs). However, there has been no attempt to systematically tailor the characteristics of rGOs to the specifications of PeSCs. Furthermore, the applications of rGO HTLs have been limited to the spin-coating system, which is incompatible with roll-to-roll manufacturing.

Preparation of Conductive Carbon Films from Novolac Resins by Ion Beam Irradiation and Carbonization.

In this study, thin carbon films with good electrical properties were prepared using commercial novolac resins by ion beam irradiation and carbonization. Novolac films were irradiated with ion beams and then carbonized under inert atmosphere. Based on the FTIR and UV results, the novolac resins were found to be crosslinked by ion beam irradiation without any additives.