Factors associated with transition readiness among adolescents and young adults with spina bifida in South Korea.

This study aimed to examine the factors associated with transition readiness based on the healthcare transition model among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with spina bifida (SB) in the individual (self-management and self-efficacy), family or social support (family function and social support), healthcare system, and environmental (transition environment) domains. Using face-to-face and online surveys, we conducted a cross-sectional study on AYAs with SB in South Korea. The participants were aged 13-25 years.

Modeling freshwater plankton community dynamics with static and dynamic interactions using graph convolution embedded long short-term memory.

Given the frequent association between freshwater plankton and water quality degradation, several predictive models have been devised to understand and estimate their dynamics. However, the significance of biotic and abiotic interactions has been overlooked. In this study, we aimed to address the importance of the interaction term in predicting plankton community dynamics by applying graph convolution embedded long short-term memory networks (GC-LSTM) models, which can incorporate interaction terms as graph signals.

A Review of Plasma-Synthesized and Plasma Surface-Modified Piezoelectric Polymer Films for Nanogenerators and Sensors.

In this review, we introduce recently developed plasma-based approaches for depositing and treating piezoelectric nanoparticles (NPs) and piezoelectric polymer films for nanogenerator (NG) and sensor applications. We also present the properties and an overview of recently synthesized or modified piezoelectric materials on piezoelectric polymers to highlight the existing challenges and future directions of plasma methods under vacuum, low pressure, and ambient air conditions. The various plasma processes involved in piezoelectric NGs and sensors, including plasma-based vapor deposition, dielectric barrier discharge, and surface modification, are introduced and summarized for controlling various surface properties (etching, roughening, crosslinking, functionalization, and crystallinity).

Elucidation of molecular basis of osteolytic bone lesions in advanced multiple myeloma.

Osteolytic bone lesion is a major cause of lower quality of life and poor prognosis in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), but molecular pathogenesis of the osteolytic process in MM remains elusive. Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L) was reported to be elevated in bone marrow (BM) and blood of patients with advanced MM who often show osteolysis. Here, we investigated a functional link of FLT3L to osteolytic process in MM.

Minimally invasive management of combined esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula and duodenal atresia: a comprehensive case report.

A newborn presented with a rare combination of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) and duodenal atresia (DA), which was successfully managed using minimally invasive surgical techniques. The patient was a 1-day-old male for whom passing a feeding tube was infeasible and who had a double bubble sign on radiography. The neonate underwent a thoracoscopic ligation of the tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and a laparoscopic duodeno-duodenostomy on the same day, resulting in stabilized vital signs.

Structure and Dielectric Properties of Poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) Copolymer Thin Films Using Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Deposition for Piezoelectric Nanogenerator.

This study investigates the structural phase and dielectric properties of poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (P[VDF-TrFE]) thin films grown via atmospheric pressure (AP) plasma deposition using a mixed polymer solution comprising P[VDF-TrFE] polymer nano powder and dimethylformamide (DMF) liquid solvent. The length of the glass guide tube of the AP plasma deposition system is an important parameter in producing intense cloud-like plasma from the vaporization of DMF liquid solvent containing polymer nano powder. This intense cloud-like plasma for polymer deposition is observed in a glass guide tube of length 80 mm greater than the conventional case, thus uniformly depositing the P[VDF-TrFE] thin film with a thickness of 3 μm.

Optimal timing for inguinal hernia repair in premature infants: surgical issues for inguinal hernia in premature infants.

Purpose: We analyzed the timing of inguinal hernia repair in premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) considering recurrence, incarceration, and other complications.

Methods: In this multicenter retrospective review, premature infants (<37 weeks) in the NICU diagnosed with inguinal hernia between 2017 and 2021 were segregated into 2 groups based on the timing of inguinal hernia repair.

Results: Of 149 patients, 109 (73.

Nutrient effects on drought responses vary across common temperate grassland species.

Drought and nutrient input are two main global change drivers that threaten ecosystem function and services. Resolving the interactive effects of human-induced stressors on individual species is necessary to improve our understanding of community and ecosystem responses. This study comparatively assessed how different nutrient conditions affect whole-plant drought responses across 13 common temperate grassland species.

Effect of freezing raw meat on the physicochemical characteristics of beef jerky.

The effect of freezing raw meat on the quality characteristics of beef jerky was evaluated in the present study. Jerky was made using different types of raw beef (fresh, frozen, and frozen-thawed) with different curing times (6 h and 12 h). Frozen-thawed beef had a lower moisture content than fresh or frozen beef due to higher exudate loss (P < 0.

In vitro bioanalytical assessment of the occurrence and removal of bioactive chemicals in municipal wastewater treatment plants in Korea.

Effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) contain various organic micropollutants, some of which can exert negative effects on the quality of receiving waters or drinking water sources. This study monitored two full-scale WWTPs in Korea for the occurrence and removal of bioactive chemicals for a one-year period using a battery of in vitro bioassays as a complementary approach to chemical analysis. Bioassays covering different endpoints were employed, such as hormone receptor activation (AR and ERα), xenobiotic metabolism (PAH and PXR), oxidative stress response (Nrf2), and cytotoxicity.

Comparison of Meat Quality and Muscle Fiber Characteristics between Porcine Skeletal Muscles with Different Architectures.

This study aimed to compare the similarities, physicochemical properties, and muscle fiber characteristics of porcine skeletal muscles. Fourteen types of muscles were collected from nine pig carcasses at 24 h post-mortem and classified by muscle architecture into two main groups, namely parallel and pennate. The muscles were further differentiated into three subtypes per group.

PWWP2B promotes DNA end resection and homologous recombination.

Genome instability is one of the leading causes of gastric cancers. However, the mutational landscape of driver genes in gastric cancer is poorly understood. Here, we investigate somatic mutations in 25 Korean gastric adenocarcinoma patients using whole-exome sequencing and show that PWWP2B is one of the most frequently mutated genes.

Hierarchical deep learning model to simulate phytoplankton at phylum/class and genus levels and zooplankton at the genus level.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have become a global issue, affecting public health and water industries in numerous countries. Because funds for monitoring HABs are limited, model development may be an alternative approach for understanding and managing HABs. Continuous monitoring based on grab sampling is time-consuming, costly, and labor-intensive.

Association between post-traumatic stress symptoms and functional health among internally displaced people in Myanmar.

Unlabelled: WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Myanmar have been exposed to conflict and violence for a long time and experience physical, psychological and social problems. Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are more prevalent among IDPs than among general populations and refugees, and limited research is available on this topic among IDPs in Myanmar. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: More than one-third of the IDPs in our sample from Myanmar camps had a high PTSS score.

Factors Affecting the Practice of Corona Virus Disease-19 Prevention Activities in Patients With Heart Diseases in Korea.

This study was conducted in a cross-sectional correlation design to identify factors affecting the practice of COVID-19 prevention activities in patients with heart diseases. A convenience sample of 195 patients with heart diseases from one tertiary teaching hospital completed questionnaires with items from the characteristics of these participants, their knowledge, attitude, and practice related to COVID-19 prevention activities. Participants' knowledge, attitude, and practice for COVID-19 prevention were relatively high but there was a significant difference in the degree of practice of COVID-19 prevention activities according to the characteristics of the participants.

Differences in problem alcohol drinking by military service type among male professional military personnel in South Korea using Military Health Survey data.

Objectives: Alcohol drinking prevalence in Korea is higher than in other countries and is associated with various social and health problems. Korean culture tends to be tolerant of alcohol drinking and to regard it as an important medium for maintaining good interpersonal relationships in one's social life. Although alcohol drinking is a means of relieving stress, especially among soldiers, who engage in more binge drinking than civilians, there is lack of research focused on problem drinking among soldiers.

Improvement of the Uniformity and Electrical Properties of Polyaniline Nanocomposite Film by Addition of Auxiliary Gases during Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Polymerization.

The morphological and chemical properties of polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite films after adding small amounts of auxiliary gases such as argon, nitrogen, and oxygen during atmospheric pressure (AP) plasma polymerization are investigated in detail. A separate gas-supply line for applying an auxiliary gas is added to the AP plasma polymerization system to avoid plasma instability due to the addition of auxiliary gas during polymerization. A small amount of neutral gas species in the plasma medium can reduce the reactivity of monomers hyperactivated by high plasma energy and prevent excessive crosslinking, thereby obtaining a uniform and regular PANI nanocomposite film.

Discrepancies in Educational Needs for Transition in Adolescents and Young Adults with Spina Bifida in South Korea: Use of the Borich Needs Assessment Model.

Purpose: Transition is an important goal for ensuring that adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with spina bifida (SB) lead autonomous lives. This study aimed to identify the educational needs of AYAs with SB based on the discrepancies between perceived importance and proficiency levels during the transition process.

Design And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted through face-to-face and online surveys from Jan-Dec 2020 of AYAs aged 13-25 years who had previously been diagnosed with SB.

Survey on tick distribution and tick-borne pathogens in Daejeon and adjacent areas in South Korea.

Ticks (Ixodidae, also known as hard ticks) as principal vectors of zoonotic diseases such as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), Lyme borreliosis, relapsing fever, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, coxiellosis (Q fever), and tularemia pose a major public health threat. This study was conducted to identify the distribution profile of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in Daejeon and the adjacent areas in South Korea, where no such epidemiological study has been conducted. From April to October 2019, 16,765 ticks were collected from three genera and four species: Haemaphysalis longicornis (n = 14,949; 89.

Laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal ligation for pediatric inguinal hernia: a novel surgical treatment.

Background: Laparoscopic repair is widely performed for the management of pediatric inguinal hernia (PIH), and different laparoscopic surgical methods are used. Herein, we present the application of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal ligation (TEPL), which is a novel surgical method for PIH repair and is similar to traditional high ligation.

Methods: In this study, 103 pediatric patients underwent laparoscopic TEPL for inguinal hernia.

Targeting Non-Oncogene Addiction for Cancer Therapy.

While Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and technological advances have been useful in identifying genetic profiles of tumorigenesis, novel target proteins and various clinical biomarkers, cancer continues to be a major global health threat. DNA replication, DNA damage response (DDR) and repair, and cell cycle regulation continue to be essential systems in targeted cancer therapies. Although many genes involved in DDR are known to be tumor suppressor genes, cancer cells are often dependent and addicted to these genes, making them excellent therapeutic targets.

Muscle Fiber Characteristics on Chop Surface of Pork Loin (M. ) Associated with Muscle Fiber Pennation Angle and Their Relationships with Pork Loin Quality.

The influence of muscle architecture on muscle fiber characteristics and meat quality has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, muscle fiber characteristics on the chop surface of pork loin (M. , LTL), pennation angle degree, and meat quality were evaluated to understand the pork LTL architecture and its relationship with the loin chop quality.