Synthesis and characteristics of water-based, rosin-modified, polymerized oil based on dehydrated castor oil acid and zinc resinate.

In this study, we synthesized a water-based, rosin-modified, polymerized oil (WRPO) an addition and polymerization reaction of dehydrated castor oil (DCO), rosin acid (RA), zinc resinate (ZR) and dehydrated castor oil acid (DCOA). Addition and polymerization reactions at 240 °C, followed by neutralization with ammonia, dissolution into butyl alcohol and subsequent dilution with water, were performed at varying DCOA contents of 10%, 20%, 30%, 35% and 40%. WRPO was mixed with butoxymethylmelamine (BMM), a curing agent, at a weight ratio of 80 : 20, and then cured for 2 hours at 130 °C.

Risk of Kawasaki Disease/Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Korean Children: A Self-Controlled Case Series Study.

Background: Rare cases of Kawasaki disease (KD) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) have been reported following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination; however, the association between COVID-19 vaccination and the risk of developing KD/MIS-C has not yet been established.

Methods: We conducted a self-controlled case series analysis using a large-linked database that connects the COVID-19 immunization registry with nationwide claims data. We identified individuals aged < 18 years who received their initial COVID-19 vaccination and had a KD/MIS-C diagnosis with a prescription for intravenous immunoglobulin or corticosteroids between October 18, 2021, and April 15, 2023.

Increased apoptosis in late-developing in vitro fertilized bovine blastocysts decreases successful pregnancy.

Objective: Pregnancy in cattle after embryo transfer (ET) is influenced by several factors, including embryo quality. Therefore, preparing high-quality embryos with the greatest developmental potential is essential for achieving a successful pregnancy after ET. Meanwhile, blastocysts produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure have different developmental speed during in vitro culture (IVC) and they exhibited different competence in the establishment of pregnancy.

Fractional flow reserve measurement using dynamic CT perfusion imaging in patients with coronary artery disease.

Purposes: The objective was to evaluate the accuracy of a novel CT dynamic angiographic imaging (CT-DAI) algorithm for rapid fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 14 patients (age 58.5 ± 10.

The structure, role, and procedures of Korean expert committee on immunization practices.

Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health, preventing infectious diseases with significant contribution to human health. In South Korea, the Korea Expert Committee on Immunization Practices (KECIP) plays a pivotal role in guiding national vaccination policies. In this comprehensive review, we investigated the history, legal basis, operation, and achievements of the KECIP, highlighting its critical role in shaping the country's successful vaccination program.

Comparison of Effects on 6-Thioguanine Nucleotides According to Mesalazine Formulation in Pediatric Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.

Purpose: Mesalazine and thiopurines are important therapeutic agents for pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Mesalazine, which may be administered in different forms depending on delivery mechanisms, can affect thiopurine metabolism, leading to increased 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN) levels. Therefore, when using these two drugs simultaneously, their interactions must be considered.

Circulatory age-associated B cells: Their distinct transcriptomic characteristics and clinical significance in drug-naïve patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Age-associated B cells (ABCs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. However, the global gene expression and clinical significance of circulatory ABCs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain poorly understood. Here, single-cell RNA sequencing identified nine B cell subsets in peripheral blood of RA patients, including ABCs.

Comparative Study of Dimeric Fibroblast Activation Protein-Targeting Radioligands Labeled with Fluorine-18, Copper-64, and Gallium-68.

Fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPIs) labeled with gallium-68 and lutetium-177 show potential for use in the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers expressing FAP. However, Lu-labeled FAPIs often exhibit short tumor retention time, limiting their therapeutic applications. To improve tumor retention, we synthesized three radiolabeled dimeric FAPIs, [F], [Cu], and [Ga].

Epidemiological Characteristics and Outcome of Myocarditis and Pericarditis Temporally Associated With BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccine in Adolescents: Korean National Surveillance.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of myocarditis/pericarditis after BNT162b2 vaccination in Korean adolescents.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of adolescents aged 12-19 years old diagnosed with myocarditis/pericarditis within 42 days of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination. All reported cases were investigated by city or government epidemiologists and the diagnostic certainty and causality was determined by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Adverse Event Following Immunization Expert Advisory Committee according to the modified version of Brighton Collaboration Myocarditis/Pericarditis Working group's case definitions.

Characteristics of Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis at Diagnosis in Korea: Results From a Multicenter, Registry-Based, Inception Cohort Study.

Background: We aimed to investigate the characteristics of pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) at diagnosis in Korea.

Methods: This was a multicenter, registry-based, inception cohort study conducted in Korea between 2021 and 2023. Children and adolescents newly diagnosed with UC < 18 years were included.

Regulation of Colonic Inflammation and Macrophage Homeostasis of IFN-γ-Primed Canine AMSCs in Experimental Colitis in Mice.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown potential in treating immune-mediated diseases due to their immunomodulatory properties, which can be enhanced by priming with inflammatory cytokines like interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). This study evaluates the therapeutic effects of IFN-γ-primed canine adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AMSCs) in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Canine AMSCs were primed with 50 ng/mL recombinant canine IFN-γ for 48 h, and the effects were compared to those seen in naïve (unprimed) AMSCs.

The risk of pregnancy-related adverse outcomes after COVID-19 vaccination: Propensity score-matched analysis with influenza vaccination.

Introduction: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rates in pregnant women remain low owing to safety concerns. When evaluating vaccine safety, comparisons with unvaccinated individuals may lead to healthy vaccinee bias. This study aimed to investigate the association between mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy-related adverse outcomes compared with influenza vaccination.

Associations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and heavy metals with blood lipid profiles in a representative sample of Korean adolescents.

Background: Previous studies on the associations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and heavy metals with lipid profiles among adolescents have been scarce. We sought to investigate the associations of PFASs and heavy metals with blood lipid levels in a representative sample of Korean adolescents.

Methods: Data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2018-2020) were used.

Efficient hairy root induction system of Astragalus membranaceus and significant enhancement of astragalosides via overexpressing AmUGT15.

Astragalus membranaceus hairy roots induced by direct injection of Rhizobium rhizogenes with AmUGT15 overexpressing genes into the stem explants demonstrate enhanced astragaloside biosynthesis Astragalus membranaceus is a widely used medicinal plant, which has important economic, ecological, medicinal, and ornamental values for accumulating various triterpene saponins named astragalosides in roots. Although the hairy root culture technique has been established in A. membranaceus, the molecular regulation of metabolic pathways for improving astragaloside contents was not reported.

Fractional Flow Reserve and Fractional Flow Reserve Gradient From CCTA for Predicting Future Coronary Events.

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a per-vessel index reflecting cumulative hemodynamic burden while coronary events occur in focal lesions.

Objectives: The authors sought to evaluate the additive prognostic value of the local gradient of FFR (FFR gradient) in addition to FFR to predict future coronary events.

Methods: The current study included 245 patients (634 vessels) who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography within 6 to 36 months before the index angiography, of which 209 vessels had future coronary events and 425 vessels did not.

Impact of Palivizumab in Preventing Severe Acute Lower Respiratory Infection in Moderate-to-Late Preterm Infants: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis using palivizumab effectively reduces RSV-associated morbidity in preterm infants. In Korea, national insurance coverage for palivizumab was implemented in October 2016 for moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT) infants born during the RSV season (October-March) who have older siblings. However, no large-scale studies have investigated the changes in the incidence and risk of severe acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) after insurance coverage implementation for MLPT infants.

Relative effectiveness of homologous NVX-CoV2373 and BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccinations in South Korea.

To estimate the relative effectiveness of NVX-CoV2373 versus BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 disease during the Omicron variant dominance in South Korea, we conducted a retrospective cohort-study among ≥12-year-olds using the K-COV-N database, which links COVID-19 vaccine registry data with health insurance claims data. The Cox proportional-hazards model and inverse probability of treatment weighting were employed to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs). Among homologous primary-series NVX-CoV2373 versus BNT162b2 recipients at Day 180 post-vaccination, the aHR was 0.

Methodology of comparative studies on the relative effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines: a systematic review.

Background: This study aimed to comprehensively outline the methodological approaches used in published research comparing the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted on June 13, 2024, to identify comparative studies evaluating the effectiveness of mRNA versus non-mRNA and monovalent versus bivalent COVID-19 vaccines. We screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, collecting data on publication year, country, sample size, study population composition, study design, VE estimates, outcomes, and covariates.