Smoking Experience before Adulthood Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Developing Ulcerative Colitis in Adult Ex-Smokers.

Purpose: Smoking may have a protective role in developing ulcerative colitis (UC) but have the opposite effect on Crohn's disease (CD). This study aimed to determine the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) according to smoking status and onset age of smoking.

Materials And Methods: We collected data on the smoking experiences of participants aged 20-39 years who underwent biannual examinations provided by the Korean National Health Screening Program from 2009 to 2012.

Characteristics and direct causes of death in severely ill patients admitted to a neurology department.

Introduction: The study aimed to analyze the characteristics of patients admitted to the neurology department of a tertiary hospital who subsequently died, focusing on those with high disease severity.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who died among those admitted to the neurology department of a regional tertiary hospital from 2013 to 2021. Clinical, radiological, and laboratory results of the included patients were collected, and their primary diagnoses, duration from time of admission to death, and direct causes of death were analyzed.

Assessing the environmental determinants of micropollutant contamination in streams using explainable machine learning and network analysis.

Even at trace concentrations, micropollutants, including pesticides and pharmaceuticals, pose considerable ecological risks, and the increasing presence of synthetic chemical substances in aquatic systems has emerged as a growing concern. Moreover, limited machine-learning (ML) approaches exist for analyzing environmental data, and the increasing complexity of ML models has made it challenging to understand predictor-outcome relationships. In particular, understanding complex interactions among multiple variables remains challenging.

A comprehensive study on the feasibility and diagnostic potential of fluctuation imaging in liver tumor assessment.

Ultrasound (US) is a widely used technique for liver disease but has limitations in distinguishing tumors. This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of fluctuational imaging (FLI), a new US method that detects the fluttering sign in liver tumors. We conducted a prospective exploratory study with 120 participants diagnosed with liver tumors through histopathology or standard imaging.

Korean adolescents' experiences studying abroad and subsequent readjustment to life after returning.

Introduction: This qualitative study explored the socio-cultural adjustment and re-adjustment experiences of South Korean adolescents who studied in English-speaking countries and later returned to South Korea.

Methods: The study interviewed 12 adolescents (6 males, 6 females) aged 12-16 who studied in countries such as the U.S.

AI model using CT-based imaging biomarkers to predict hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background & Aims: Various hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prediction models have been proposed for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) using clinical variables. We aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based HCC prediction model by incorporating imaging biomarkers derived from abdominal computed tomography (CT) images along with clinical variables.

Methods: An AI prediction model employing a gradient-boosting machine algorithm was developed utilizing imaging biomarkers extracted by DeepFore, a deep learning-based CT auto-segmentation software.

Targeted Circulating Lipid Mediators and Immune Cell Gene Transcripts After ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Residual inflammation drives atherogenesis to atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction, which triggers acute inflammation. In preclinical studies, polyunsaturated fatty acids-derived specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) have been shown to promote recovery after MI, in contrast to pro-inflammatory lipid mediators (PIMs). However, the dynamic changes of lipid mediators after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), particularly after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and respective gene transcripts, are poorly understood.

Efficacy of cold and cryo-preserved nerve allografts with low-dose FK506 for motor nerve regeneration: a preclinical study.

Background: Despite their ability to regenerate as well as autografts, the use of nerve allografts is limited by the need for immunosuppression and the risk of disease transmission. Further, decellularized allografts lacking Schwann cells limit axonal regeneration in long nerve defects. This study evaluated sciatic nerve regeneration in rats implanted with cold- or cryopreserved allografts, and examined the effects of FK506, an immunosuppressant that targets calcineurin function, on motor recovery.

Quantitative computed tomography analysis of proximal femur bone mineral density and its relation to hip fracture risk.

Background: Hip fractures significantly reduce the quality of life and mobility of older adults. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) in different regions of the proximal femur as measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and various subtypes of hip fractures.

Methods: This case-control study included patients over the age of 65 years admitted to Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University for hip fractures from November 2022 to December 2023; additionally, patients from the health examination center or outpatient center treated during the same period were included as a control group.

Microbial profiling of the East Siberian Sea sediments using 16S rRNA gene and metagenome sequencing.

The Arctic Ocean is experiencing significant global warming, leading to reduced sea-ice cover, submarine permafrost thawing, and increased river discharge. The East Siberian Sea (ESS) undergoes more significant terrestrial inflow from coastal erosion and river runoff than other Arctic seas. Despite extensive research on environmental changes, microbial communities and their functions in the ESS, which are closely related to environmental conditions, remain largely unexplored.

Development of RNA reference materials for norovirus GI and GII using digital PCR.

Norovirus is a highly virulent pathogen that causes enteritis in all age groups worldwide. Owing to the diversity of noroviruses, the development of vaccines and treatments is challenging, and an early and accurate diagnosis is crucial. Reference materials (RMs) developed previously for norovirus genotypes I (GI) and II (GII) were quantified using reverse transcription quantitative PCR.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Miquel, a plant of the Ericaceae family.

1866 is a deciduous shrub native to Northeast Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan Its polyphenol-rich edible berries may aid in managing chronic diseases. Despite its importance, the mitogenome of this species remains understudied. This study assembled the complete mitogenome, consisting of 626,941 bp with 45.

Evaluation of Risk Factors Associated with the Occurrence and Recurrence of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in Koreans: A Nested Case-Control Study.

Objectives: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most prevalent cause of vertigo. This study analyzes the risk factors involved in the occurrence and recurrence of BPPV.

Methods: A database maintained by the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) was used to enroll 434,552 patients diagnosed with BPPV from 2011 to 2017.

Differences in the Physical Properties of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives Containing Root Vegetables.

We investigated the textural characteristics of plant-based meat alternatives based on root vegetables, including , , , and . The samples with root vegetables had significantly higher moisture contents than those without because of the water retention capacity of dietary fiber contained in root vegetables. Heating affects the structures and interactions of the plant-based proteins and other ingredients.

Two-Terminal Neuromorphic Devices for Spiking Neural Networks: Neurons, Synapses, and Array Integration.

The ever-increasing volume of complex data poses significant challenges to conventional sequential global processing methods, highlighting their inherent limitations. This computational burden has catalyzed interest in neuromorphic computing, particularly within artificial neural networks (ANNs). In pursuit of advancing neuromorphic hardware, researchers are focusing on developing computation strategies and constructing high-density crossbar arrays utilizing history-dependent, multistate nonvolatile memories tailored for multiply-accumulate (MAC) operations.

Trends in allergic sensitization and diseases in the Korean general population over a 9-year period.

Objectives: The prevalence of allergic sensitization and diseases varies over time owing to climate, environment, and lifestyle changes. To analyze changes in sensitization to house dust mites (HDM) and dogs and the prevalence of allergic diseases in the Korean general population over a 9-year period and identify contributing factors.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2010 and 2019.

New-Onset Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Among Korean Youths During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: Whether COVID-19 contributes to youth-onset diabetes is controversial, and research in Asia is lacking.

Objective: To explore the incidence and severity of diabetes among youths during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study used claims data for January 1, 2017, through February 28, 2022, from the National Health Insurance Service database in South Korea.

Arthrodesis Versus Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition for Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Arthrodesis and ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) are commonly performed procedures for treatment of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis. Although LRTI is the most common surgical treatment, CMC arthrodesis has been performed because of its reported advantages. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the differences between CMC arthrodesis and LRTI to better inform surgeons and patients when they are making treatment decisions.

Development of gene-in-plasmid DNA reference materials certified by single-molecule counting.

The mole, the SI unit for measuring the amount of a substance, was redefined as a fixed number of entities. This definition enables straightforward quantification of substances by counting individual entities. Counting proves particularly effective for quantifying large and discrete biological entities such as DNA, proteins, viruses, and cells, which are challenging to quantify via traditional physical or chemical methods.

Influence of Common Medications on Diabetic Macular Edema in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the impact of systemic medications, including GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), fenofibrates, thiazolidinediones (TZDs), and calcium channel blockers (CCBs), on the risk of developing diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Design: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using electronic medical records (EMR) data from the TriNetX health research network, covering a period from October 2004-2024.

Participants: The study population comprised patients diagnosed with T2DM who were newly initiated on GLP-1 RAs, fenofibrates, TZDs, or CCBs.