Development of an electrochemical biosensor for non-invasive cholesterol monitoring via microneedle-based interstitial fluid extraction.

In this study, we present the development of an innovative electrochemical biosensor integrated into a microneedle-based system for non-invasive and sensitive quantification of cholesterol levels in interstitial fluid (ISF). The biosensor employs a graphene-based electrode with a polyelectrolyte interlayer to immobilize cholesterol oxidase (ChOx), enabling selective cholesterol detection. Graphene oxide is electrochemically reduced to form a conductive layer, and PANI is chosen as the optimal polyelectrolyte for ChOx immobilization.

Nosocomial transmission of fluconazole-resistant bloodstream isolates revealed by whole-genome sequencing.

Unlabelled: The clonal transmission of fluconazole-resistant isolates within hospitals has seldom been analyzed by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). We performed WGS on 79 . isolates, comprising 31 isolates from three premature infants with persistent bloodstream infection despite antifungal treatment in the same neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in 2022 and 48 (27 fluconazole-resistant and 21 fluconazole-susceptible dose-dependent) bloodstream isolates from 48 patients in 15 South Korean hospitals from 2010 to 2022.

Validation, Measurement Uncertainty, and Determination of Bixin and Norbixin in Processed Foods of Animal Resources Distributed in Korea.

This research aimed to validate a high-performance liquid chromatography method for the quantitative determination of bixin and norbixin in various foods. The Diode Array Detector (495 nm) technique was used. Method was validated for specificity, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, and accuracy, and the measurement uncertainty was assessed.

Virulence Traits and Azole Resistance in Korean Isolates.

We analyzed the virulence traits and azole resistance mechanisms of 104 isolates collected from 13 Korean hospitals from 1996 to 2022. Of these 104 isolates, 96 (5 blood and 91 ear isolates) belonged to clade II, and 8 (6 blood and 2 other isolates) belonged to clade I. Fluconazole resistance (minimum inhibitory concentration ≥32 mg/L) was observed in 68.

Assessment of Plasma Tylosin Concentrations: A Comparative Study of Immunoassay, Microbiological Assay, and Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry.

Employing affordable and uncomplicated sample preparation techniques to recommend the most efficient antibacterial therapy could help reduce antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study evaluated the suitability of immunoassays and microbiological assays as alternatives for liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) in determining plasma tylosin concentrations after intramuscular administration at a dose of 20 mg/kg to both healthy and diseased pigs in clinical veterinary practice. The diseased pigs were confirmed using the target genes () and ().

Nationwide Surveillance of Antifungal Resistance of Bloodstream Isolates in South Korean Hospitals: Two Year Report from Kor-GLASS.

We incorporated nationwide Candida antifungal surveillance into the Korea Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (Kor-GLASS) for bacterial pathogens. We prospectively collected and analyzed complete non-duplicate blood isolates and information from nine sentinel hospitals during 2020−2021, based on GLASS early implementation protocol for the inclusion of Candida species. Candida species ranked fourth among 10,758 target blood pathogens and second among 4050 hospital-origin blood pathogens.

Evolution of Fluconazole Resistance Mechanisms and Clonal Types of Isolates from a Tertiary Care Hospital in South Korea.

We investigated the evolution of fluconazole resistance mechanisms and clonal types of Candida parapsilosis isolates from a tertiary care hospital in South Korea. A total of 45 clinical isolates, including 42 collected between 2017 and 2021 and 3 collected between 2012 and 2013, were subjected to antifungal susceptibility testing, sequencing of fluconazole resistance genes (, , , and ), and microsatellite typing. Twenty-two isolates carried Y132F (=21; fluconazole MIC = 2 to >256 mg/L) or Y132F+R398I (=1; fluconazole MIC = 64 mg/L) in and four isolates harbored N1132D in (fluconazole MIC = 16 to 64 mg/L).

Differential expression and localization of tight junction proteins in the goat epididymis.

The blood-epididymis barrier (BEB) forms a unique microenvironment that is crucial for the maturation, protection, transport, and storage of spermatozoa in the epididymis. To characterize the function of tight junctions (TJs), which are constitutive components of the BEB, we determined the expression and localization of TJ proteins such as zonula occludens (ZO)-1, 2, and 3, occludin, and claudin3 (Cldn3) during postnatal development in the goat epididymis. To assess the expression patterns of TJ proteins in immature (3 months of age) and mature (14 months of age) goat epididymides, two different experimental methods were used including immunofluorescence labeling and western blotting.

Regular dental scaling associated with decreased tooth loss in the middle-aged and elderly in Korea: A 3-year prospective longitudinal study.

Context: Tooth loss exacerbates the deterioration of physical function and induces illness. Numerous studies have identified the risk factors for tooth loss, and several have identified an association of tooth loss with sociodemographic factors, general health status, and lifestyle.

Aims: The objective of the present cohort study was to elucidate the relationship between regular dental scaling and tooth loss in middle-aged and elderly individuals in Korea.

Estimating tooth retention by the number of present teeth in a middle-old-aged population: 3-year follow-up study in Korea.

Background: The number of individual teeth decreases with age, resulting in a decrease in masticatory capacity, and is an important indicator of oral health. However, it is difficult to estimate the number of present teeth on the basis of age alone.

Objectives: We aimed to determine whether tooth retention could be estimated by the number of present teeth in middle-old-aged individuals.

Provision of oral hygiene services as a potential method for preventing periodontal disease and control hypertension and diabetes in a community health centre in Korea.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a community-based oral hygiene service on general and periodontal health indicators of patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus visiting a community health centre in Korea. The study used a one-group pretest-posttest and interrupted time-series design. A total of 151 participants (45% male), with a mean age of 63 ± 8.