Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition allows a reliable proliferation assessment of small (≤20 mm) pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Aim: Evidence regarding the reliability of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) for assessing histological proliferation and WHO grading of small (≤20 mm) pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) is limited.

Methods: In this multicenter retrospective study, we analyzed data from 122 patients with small PanNETs who underwent EUS-TA followed by surgical resection between 2006 and 2022. We compared the histopathological proliferation assessment and WHO grading between preoperative EUS-TA and surgical definitive specimens.

Design and optimization of hybrid seawater reverse osmosis-solar-driven desalination-pressure retarded osmosis system for energy efficient desalination maximizing economic potential.

Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO)-pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) hybrid desalination system is being actively researched to reduce energy consumption by generating energy in the PRO. However, the SWRO-PRO hybrid system still faces the following challenges: low freshwater recovery and low energy generation. To resolve these challenges, this study first proposes a novel SWRO-Solar-driven desalination (SD)-PRO hybrid system for energy-efficient desalination.

An Observational Study on the Prediction of Range of Motion in Soldiers Diagnosed with Patellar Tendinopathy Using Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography.

Introduction: This study hypothesized that changes in the elasticity of the quadriceps and patellar tendons before and after the diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy would correlate with the range of motion (ROM) following conservative treatment. We aimed to prospectively assess post-treatment ROM using multinomial logistic regression, incorporating elasticity measurements obtained via shear wave elastography (SWE).

Materials And Methods: From March 2023 to April 2024, 95 patients (86 men; aged 20-45 years, mean 25.

Strategically Designed Uniform MOF-Derived Nanoporous Carbon Aerogel for Efficient Solar-Driven Desalination by Control of Hydrophilicity and Thermal Conductivity.

Desalination techniques using the photothermal effect hold significant potential for producing fresh water from saline or polluted sources due to their low energy consumption. In the case of commercialized carbon materials are related to heat loss resulting from high thermal conductivity, and metal particles still have trouble in commercialization or cost-effectiveness. This is because a photothermal desalination evaporator must simultaneously exhibit high water evaporation performance, excellent energy conversion efficiency, sufficient hydrophilicity, and low heat loss.

Integrative approach of omics and imaging data to discover new insights for understanding brain diseases.

Treatments that can completely resolve brain diseases have yet to be discovered. Omics is a novel technology that allows researchers to understand the molecular pathways underlying brain diseases. Multiple omics, including genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics, and brain imaging technologies, such as MRI, PET and EEG, have contributed to brain disease-related therapeutic target detection.

Barriers and future improvements of workplace-based learning in Korean medicine clinical clerkship: perspectives of graduates.

Background: Workplace-based learning (WPBL) has emerged as an essential practice in healthcare education. However, WPBL is rarely implemented in Korean medicine (KM) due to the passive attitude of teachers and possible violation of medical laws that limit the participation of trainees in medical treatment. In this study, we implemented WPBL in the clinical clerkship of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine at a single College of KM and explored the barriers and future improvements of WPBL.

Monophosphoryl lipid A and poly I:C combination enhances immune responses of equine influenza virus vaccine.

Equine influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by H3N8 type A influenza virus. Vaccination against equine influenza is conducted regularly; however, infection still occurs globally because of the short immunity duration and suboptimal efficacy of current vaccines. Hence the objective of this study was to investigate whether an adjuvant combination can improve immune responses to equine influenza virus (EIV) vaccines.

Anti-thrombotic effects of ginsenoside Rk3 by regulating cAMP and PI3K/MAPK pathway on human platelets.

Background And Objective: The ability to inhibit aggregation has been demonstrated with synthetically derived ginsenoside compounds G-Rp (1, 3, and 4) and ginsenosides naturally found in 20(S)-Rg3, Rg6, F4, and Ro. Among these compounds, Rk3 (G-Rk3) from needs to be further explored in order to reveal the mechanisms of action during inhibition.

Methodology: Our study focused to investigate the action of G-Rk3 on agonist-stimulated human platelet aggregation, inhibition of platelet signaling molecules such as fibrinogen binding with integrin αβ using flow cytometry, intracellular calcium mobilization, dense granule secretion, and thromboxane B secretion.

Elucidating the Correlation between Bone Mineral Density and Multifidus Muscle Characteristics: A Cross-Modal Study with Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and Spinal Computed Tomography Texture Analysis.

Background: Recent research underscores the clinical relevance of muscle conditions such as sarcopenia and their links to bone mineral density (BMD), yet notable gaps persist in the understanding of their interconnections. Our study addresses this by introducing a novel approach to decipher the correlation between BMD and the texture of the multifidus muscle, utilizing spinal computed tomography (CT) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to evaluate muscle texture, BMD, and bone mineral content (BMC) at the total lumbar vertebra and total hip.

Methods: Our single-institution study examined 395 cases collected from 6 May 2012 to 30 November 2021.

Immunostimulatory effects of marine algae extracts on in vitro antigen-presenting cell activation and in vivo immune cell recruitment.

Marine algae are photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms that are widely used as sources of food, cosmetics, and drugs. However, their biological and immunological effects on immune cells have not been fully elucidated. To unravel their immunological activity and broaden their application, we generated antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, from mouse bone marrow cells and treated them with six different marine algae extracts (MAEs).

Dimensional emotions are represented by distinct topographical brain networks.

The ability to recognize others' facial emotions has become increasingly important after the COVID-19 pandemic, which causes stressful situations in emotion regulation. Considering the importance of emotion in maintaining a social life, emotion knowledge to perceive and label emotions of oneself and others requires an understanding of affective dimensions, such as emotional valence and emotional arousal. However, limited information is available about whether the behavioral representation of affective dimensions is similar to their neural representation.

Adjuvant effects of combination monophosphoryl lipid A and poly I:C on antigen-specific immune responses and protective efficacy of influenza vaccines.

Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists improve vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy, but they are currently unlicensed as adjuvants in influenza vaccines. This study aimed to investigate whether a combination of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL, a TLR4 agonist) and polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C, a TLR3 agonist) can enhance the protective efficacy of an inactivated A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (A/PR8) H1N1 influenza vaccine against homologous influenza infection and minimize illness outcomes. Results showed that combination MPL and poly I:C adjuvanted influenza vaccination increased the production of antigen-specific antibodies, decreased the levels of cytokines and cellular infiltrates at the infection sites, and induced significant memory T and B cell responses in mice.

Chronic allergic asthma induces T-cell exhaustion and impairs virus clearance in mice.

Background: Allergic asthma, one of the most common types of asthma, is thought to be highly susceptible to respiratory viral infections; however, its pathological mechanism needs to be elucidated. Recent studies have found impaired T-cell function in asthmatic mice. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the way by which asthma induction affects T-cell exhaustion in the lungs and assess the relationship between T-cell exhaustion and influenza viral infection.

effects of monophosphoryl lipid A and Poly I:C combination on equine cells.

Background: Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists have been used as adjuvants to modulate immune responses in both animals and humans.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of the TLR 4 agonist monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and the TLR 3 agonist polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) on equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs), and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs).

Methods: The PBMCs, MoDCs, and BM-MSCs collected from three mixed breed horses were treated with MPL, Poly I:C, and their combination.

Elucidation of Phytochemicals Affecting Platelet Responsiveness in Dangguisu-san: Active Ingredient Prediction and Experimental Research Using Network Pharmacology.

Plant-derived phytochemicals are emerging as novel agents for protection against chronic disorders. Dangguisu-san is a herbal prescription to invigorate the blood and relieve pain. Among the numerous active constituents of Dangguisu-san, those expected to be effective at inhibiting platelet aggregation were predicted using a network pharmacological method, and their efficacy was experimentally demonstrated.

The impact of obesity on the accuracy of DXA BMD for DXA-equivalent BMD estimation.

Introduction: As the radiomics technique using texture features in CT is adopted for accessing DXA-equivalent bone mineral density (BMD), this study aims to compare BMD by DXA and predicted BMD to investigate the impact of obesity and central obesity in general patients.

Materials And Methods: A total of 710 cases (621 patients) obtained from May 6, 2012, to June 30, 2021, were used in the study. We focused both their abdomen & pelvis CT's first lumbar vertebrae axial cuts to predict estimated BMD and bone mineral content (BMC).

Estimation of Bone Mineral Density in the Femoral Neck and Lumbar Spine using Texture Analysis of Chest and Pelvis Computed Tomography Hounsfield Unit.

Objective: This study aimed to establish an academic basis for using a computed tomography (CT) model for predicting osteoporosis in the clinical setting by illustrating the effectiveness of morphometric texture analysis. We introduce texture analysis and quantitative approaches using CT Hounsfield units (HU) to screen osteoporosis.

Methods: From March 6, 2013, to August 11, 2020, a total of 4,333 cases (1,766 patients) were included in the study.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on neural activity and functional connectivity during fear extinction.

Background/objective: Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and negatively impact daily functioning and quality of life. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), especially in the right hemisphere impacts extinction learning; however, the underlying neural mechanisms are elusive. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of cathodal tDCS stimulation to the right dlPFC on neural activity and connectivity patterns during delayed fear extinction in healthy participants.

Protective and vaccine dose-sparing efficacy of Poly I:C-functionalized calcium phosphate nanoparticle adjuvants in inactivated influenza vaccination.

Adjuvants are required to increase the immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccination and enable vaccine dose sparing. Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C), a toll-like receptor 3 agonist, is a promising adjuvant candidate that can induce cell-mediated immune responses; however, it remains unlicensed owing to its low stability and toxicity. Calcium phosphate (CaP), a biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticle, is widely used in biomedicine for stable and targeted drug delivery.