Impact of disease-related indicators on pain measures in rheumatoid arthritis: a biopsychosocial perspective.

Objective: Pain is a significant and debilitating symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that significantly affects the quality of life and functional ability of patients. In the present study, we examined the association between pain variables and disease activity markers in patients with RA.

Methods: We enrolled 133 patients with RA and assessed their clinical characteristics, socioeconomic and psychological factors, and pain measures.

Important ultrasonography and CT findings and prognostic factors of incidentally detected gallbladder cancer.

Aims: To evaluate important imaging findings and prognostic factors of incidentally detected gallbladder cancer (IDGC). Materials and methods: Patients with surgically proven IDGC (n=85) and benign GB diseases (n=100) were retrospectively enrolled. All patients had preoperative CT and eighty-two patients had US images.

Roles of metabotropic signaling of nicotine receptors in the development and maintenance of nicotine reward through regulation of dopamine D receptor expression.

The α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), an ionophore, has been suggested to signal through metabotropic pathways and interact with other receptor families, such as dopamine receptors. In this study, the interaction between α4β2 nAChR and dopamine receptors was investigated through in vivo and in vitro studies. Nicotine exposure in adolescent rats is known to induce a sustained increase in nicotine's rewarding effects which was assessed by conditioned place preference (CPP) assay.

Nonmass Lesions on Breast Ultrasound: Interreader Agreement and Associations With Malignancy.

Nonmass lesions (NMLs) on breast ultrasound lack clear definition and encompass a broad range of benign and malignant entities. Given anticipated inclusion of NMLs in the BI-RADS 6th edition, thorough understanding of these lesions will be critical for optimal management. To evaluate interreader agreement for classification of lesions on breast ultrasound as NMLs and to identify imaging features associated with malignancy in these lesions.

Nonlaminotomy bilateral decompression: a novel approach in biportal endoscopic spine surgery for spinal stenosis.

Biportal endoscopic spine surgery (BESS) is an emerging technique for lumbar spinal stenosis. Previous BESS techniques involve partial osteotomy for access to spinal canal such as partial laminotomy, partial facetectomy, and other forms to access the spinal canal for decompression. However, approaches that include osteotomy can cause bone bleeding intraoperatively, leading to obscured vision, and may be at risk of postoperative facet arthritis and segmental instability due to damage to the posterior stability structure.

Rifaximin treatment in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis: A multicenter, randomized controlled, open-label, pilot trial.

Introduction And Objectives: The short-term mortality of severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) is high, but there are no effective treatments to improve short-term mortality other than corticosteroids. This study investigated the effects of adding rifaximin to standard treatment in patients with SAH.

Material And Methods: In this randomized controlled open-label trial, patients with SAH (Maddrey's discriminant function≥32) were randomized to the rifaximin or control group.

Handgrip strength and diabetes in postmenopausal women: insights from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014-2019.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between handgrip strength (HGS) and diabetes mellitus (DM) in postmenopausal women in Korea relative to the menopausal duration.

Methods: Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2014 and 2019 were analyzed. A total of 4,098 postmenopausal women aged 45 to 65 years were included in the study.

Characteristics and Prognosis of Breast Cancer Patients With Prior Hormone Replacement Therapy: Insights From the Korean Breast Cancer Society Registry.

By investigating the characteristics and prognosis of breast cancer (BC) patients who have undergone hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this study addresses a gap in the existing literature. A total of 17,355 postmenopausal patients with BC were analyzed using data from the Korea Breast Cancer Society database (2000-2014). Among them, 3,585 (20.

Impacts of Senolytic Phytochemicals on Gut Microbiota: A Comprehensive Review.

There is increasing interest in utilizing senolytics to selectively remove senescent cells from intestinal tissues, with the aim of maintaining a healthy gut environment during aging. This strategy underscores the potential of senolytics to enhance gut health by delaying intestinal aging and positively modulating gut microbiota. Certain plant-based phytochemicals have demonstrated promising senolytic effects.

Roles of cancer histology type and HPV genotype in HPV ctDNA detection at baseline in cervical cancer: Implications for tumor burden assessment.

Introduction: Human papillomavirus circulating tumor DNA (HPV ctDNA) is a promising biomarker for monitoring cervical cancer. HPV ctDNA level at baseline (before treatment) reflects tumor burden. However, reported HPV ctDNA detection rates at baseline have shown variations across studies, suggesting the existence of other potential contributing factors.

Enhanced dual-mode imaging: Superior photoacoustic and ultrasound endoscopy in live pigs using a transparent ultrasound transducer.

Dual-mode photoacoustic/ultrasound endoscopy (ePAUS) is a promising tool for preclinical and clinical interventions. To be clinically useful, ePAUS must deliver high-performance ultrasound imaging comparable to commercial systems and maintain high photoacoustic imaging performance at long working distances. This requires a transducer with an intact physical aperture and coaxial alignment of acoustic and optical beams within the probe, a challenging integration task.

Pharmacokinetics, toxicities, and tissue concentrations of belotecan sprayed by rotational intraperitoneal pressurized aerosol chemotherapy in a pig model.

Objective: We evaluated the pharmacokinetics, tissue concentrations, and toxicities of belotecan during rotational intraperitoneal pressurized aerosol chemotherapy (RIPAC) in pigs.

Methods: We sprayed belotecan in 10% and 30% of doses for intravenous chemotherapy in six pigs (cohort 1, n=3, 0.50 mg/m²; cohort 2, n=3, 1.

Combined impact of prediabetes and hepatic steatosis on cardiometabolic outcomes in young adults.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of hepatic steatosis on cardiometabolic outcomes in young adults with prediabetes.

Methods: A nationwide cohort study was conducted with 896,585 young adults under 40 years old without diabetes or previous history of cardiovascular disease. Hepatic steatosis was identified using a fatty liver index of ≥ 60.

Fabrication of Engineered Drug-Polymer Composite Particles via Piezoelectric Inkjet Technique for Floating Drug Delivery Systems.

This study presents a simple approach for fabricating low-density drug-polymer amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) using a piezoelectric inkjet method, demonstrating potential applications for floating drug delivery systems (FDDS). By adjusting the ratio of two polymers, polylactic acid, and Eudragit RLPO, the floatability and drug release rate of the drug-polymer ASD particles can be easily manipulated. Kinetic model analyses have been conducted to interpret the drug release mechanism.

Association between focal amyloid deposition and cognitive impairment in individuals below the amyloid threshold.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of individuals with amyloid levels below the threshold. To achieve this, we differentiated between two groups: those with global amyloid negativity but focal deposition [G(-)F(+)] and those without focal deposition [G(-)F(-)].

Materials And Methods: A total of 2,677 participants were diagnosed with cognitive unimpairment (CU) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Tailoring dual cross-linked polymer-ionic liquid composites by blending co-crystallizable polymers for stretchable electronics.

Facile adjustment of the behavior of dual cross-linked polymer-ionic liquid composites (PICs) for stretchable electronics was achieved solution blending of two copolymers having the same monomer pairs. Two poly(docosyl acrylate--butyl acrylate) (poly(A22-BA)) copolymers with different molar ratios were synthesized and solution-cast with ionic liquids (ILs) to fabricate ternary PICs. The phase behavior and the thermal and structural properties of the composites were investigated by varying the mixing ratio, providing insights into the cross-linking mechanisms.

Plasma Alzheimer's disease biomarker variability: Amyloid-independent and amyloid-dependent factors.

Introduction: We aimed to investigate which factors affect plasma biomarker levels via amyloid beta (Aβ)-independent or Aβ-dependent effects and improve the predictive performance of these biomarkers for Aβ positivity on positron emission tomography (PET).

Methods: A total of 2935 participants underwent blood sampling for measurements of plasma Aβ42/40 ratio, phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217; ALZpath), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels using single-molecule array and Aβ PET. Laboratory findings were collected using a routine blood test battery.

Lessons learned from implementing laparoscopic common bile duct exploration at a safety net hospital.

Background: Mounting evidence favors one-stage laparoscopic cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration over endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with cholecystectomy for choledocholithiasis. However, laparoscopic cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration remains underused. In 2020, our center initiated a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration program for choledocholithiasis.

Korea-Registries to Overcome Dementia and Accelerate Dementia Research (K-ROAD): A Cohort for Dementia Research and Ethnic-Specific Insights.

Background And Purpose: Dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, is a significant global health concern, with early diagnosis and treatment development being critical goals. While numerous cohorts have advanced dementia research, there is a lack of comprehensive data on ethnic differences, particularly for the Korean population. The Korea-Registries to Overcome Dementia and Accelerate Dementia Research (K-ROAD) aims to establish a large-scale, hospital-based dementia cohort to address this gap, with a focus on understanding disease progression, developing early diagnostics, and supporting treatment advancements specific to the Korean population.

Development of the Diagnostic Matrix of the Seoul Cognitive Status Test, Compared to Traditional Paper-and-Pencil Neuropsychological Tests.

Background And Purpose: We aimed to develop the diagnostic matrix of the Seoul Cognitive Status Test (SCST) and compare its performance with traditional paper-and-pencil neuropsychological tests, including the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery-II (SNSB-II) and the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-K).

Methods: We recruited 197 participants from the head-to-head SCST-SNSB cohort, and 204 participants from the head-to-head SCST-CERAD cohort. They underwent either SNSB-II or CERAD-K, in addition to SCST.