Calibration of toroidal visible bremsstrahlung diagnostics and reconstruction of effective charge profiles in Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR).

The investigation of impurity behavior in fusion plasmas is a critical issue in fusion plasma research. The effective charge (Zeff) profile is a widely used measure of the impurity levels in fusion plasmas. In this study, the visible bremsstrahlung emissivity profile is reconstructed using toroidal visible bremsstrahlung (TVB) arrays at Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR).

Gender Difference of the Association between Energy Intake Expenditure Balance and Depression among Korean Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from the 2014, 2016, and 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Diet and physical activity are key factors related to depressive mood. Previous studies have demonstrated the effects of diet and physical activity on depression. However, the effect of energy intake-expenditure balance (EIEB) on mental health has not been fully evaluated.

Analysis of Continuity of Care and Its Related Factors in Diabetic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Continuity of care in primary care settings is crucial for managing diabetes. We aimed to statistically define and analyze continuity factors associated with demographics, clinical workforce, and geographical relationships.

Methods: We used 2014-2015 National Health Insurance Service claims data from the Korean registry, with 39,096 eligible outpatient attendance.

Assessment of Dietary Habits Using the Diet Quality Index-International in Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Disease Patients.

Improvement of dietary habits is recommended for the management of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases (CCVD). This study aimed to evaluate the dietary habits of CCVD patients and compare them with the general population by using the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I). Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2013-2016) were used.

Association and Prediction of Subclinical Atherosclerosis by Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Asymptomatic Patients.

Background: The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been increasing in the general population. This study evaluated the association between NAFLD and significant coronary stenosis in asymptomatic adults and evaluated sex-based differences.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study in participants without previous cardiovascular diseases who visited the Seoul National University Hospital Health Promotion Center for a health checkup between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2015.

Analysis of the Comprehensiveness of Primary Care Clinics in Korea.

Background: In the Republic of Korea, which medical specialties should take the responsibility for primary care and what the role of primary care should be are still unclear. In this study, we focused on the comprehensiveness of primary care to identify related factors.

Methods: The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)-National Sample Cohort is a population-based cohort, sampled in the 2002 NHIS database and followed up until 2015.

Comparison of Bone Regeneration between Porcine-Derived and Bovine-Derived Xenografts in Rat Calvarial Defects: A Non-Inferiority Study.

The present study aimed to compare the bone-regeneration capacity of porcine-derived xenografts to bovine-derived xenografts in the rat calvarial defect model. The observation of surface morphology and in vitro cell studies were conducted prior to the animal study. Defects with a diameter of 8 mm were created in calvaria of 20 rats.

Zoledronate Enhances Osteocyte-Mediated Osteoclast Differentiation by IL-6/RANKL Axis.

Bisphosphonates are one of the most widely used synthetic pyrophosphate analogues for the treatment of bone resorbing diseases such as osteoporosis, multiple myeloma, and bone metastases. Although the therapeutic usefulness of bisphosphonates mainly depends on their anti-osteoclastogenic effect, a severe side-effect of bisphosphonates called bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) could not be explained by the anti-osteoclastogenic effect of bisphosphonates. In the present study, we have evaluated the changes in osteoclastogenesis- or osteoblastogenesis-supporting activities of osteocytes induced by bisphosphonates.

Suppression of Osteoclastogenesis by Melatonin: A Melatonin Receptor-Independent Action.

In vertebrates, melatonin is primarily secreted from the pineal gland but it affects various biological processes including the sleep-wake cycle, vasomotor control, immune system and bone homeostasis. Melatonin has been known to promote osteoblast differentiation and bone maturation, but a direct role of melatonin on osteoclast differentiation is still elusive. The present study investigated the effect of melatonin on the differentiation of macrophages to osteoclasts.

Optochemically Responsive 2D Nanosheets of a 3D Metal-Organic Framework Material.

Outstanding functional tunability underpinning metal-organic framework (MOF) confers a versatile platform to contrive next-generation chemical sensors, optoelectronics, energy harvesters, and converters. A rare exemplar of a porous 2D nanosheet material constructed from an extended 3D MOF structure is reported. A rapid supramolecular self-assembly methodology at ambient conditions to synthesize readily exfoliatable MOF nanosheets, functionalized in situ by adopting the guest@MOF (host) strategy, is developed.

Outcomes of dialysis and the transplantation options for patients with diabetic end-stage renal disease in Korea.

Background: The best therapeutic option for diabetic end-stage renal disease (DMESRD) has not been established among living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT), deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT), simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK), and dialysis.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of DMESRD patients at two Korean centers from February 2000 to December 2011.

Results: Among 674 patients, 295 underwent kidney transplantation (LDKT, 175; DDKT, 72; and SPK, 48), while 379 were still on dialysis.

Rosmarinic acid attenuates 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin diseases, and its incidence is increasing in industrialized countries. Furthermore, the epicutaneous application of a hapten, such as 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), evokes an AD-like lesion in NC/Nga mice under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a secondary metabolite that is frequently found in herbs, and has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial effects.

Growth of carbon nanotube field emitters on single strand carbon fiber: a linear electron source.

The multi-stage effect has been revisited through growing carbon nanotube field emitters on single strand carbon fiber with a thickness of 11 µm. A prepared linear electron source exhibits a turn-on field as low as 0.4 V µm(-1) and an extremely high field enhancement factor of 19,300, when compared with those results from reference nanotube emitters grown on flat silicone wafer; 3.