Fall risk classification with posturographic parameters in community-dwelling older adults: a machine learning and explainable artificial intelligence approach.

Background: Computerized posturography obtained in standing conditions has been applied to classify fall risk for older adults or disease groups. Combining machine learning (ML) approaches is superior to traditional regression analysis for its ability to handle complex data regarding its characteristics of being high-dimensional, non-linear, and highly correlated. The study goal was to use ML algorithms to classify fall risks in community-dwelling older adults with the aid of an explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) approach to increase interpretability.

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Knockout of DGK Improves Antitumor Activities of Human T Cells.

The efficacy of T-cell therapy is inhibited by various tumor-associated immunosuppressive ligands and soluble factors. Such inhibitory signals turn specific T-cell signaling pathways on or off, impeding the anticancer functions of T cells. Many studies have focused on PD-1 or CTLA-4 blockade to invigorate T-cell functions through CD28/B7 signaling, but obtaining robust clinical outcomes remains challenging.

Long-Range Lattice Engineering of MoTe by a 2D Electride.

Doping two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors beyond their degenerate levels provides the opportunity to investigate extreme carrier density-driven superconductivity and phase transition in 2D systems. Chemical functionalization and the ionic gating have achieved the high doping density, but their effective ranges have been limited to ∼1 nm, which restricts the use of highly doped 2D semiconductors. Here, we report on electron diffusion from the 2D electride [CaN]·e to MoTe over a distance of 100 nm from the contact interface, generating an electron doping density higher than 1.

Interaction between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and variants at 17q12-21 on respiratory infections.

Objectives: 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) deficiency and genetic variants at the 17q12-21 locus are independent risk factors for respiratory tract infections (RTIs). We aimed to investigate whether the effect of 25(OH)D at birth and 1 year of age and the polymorphism at the 17q12-21 locus, or interactions between these two factors, increase susceptibility to RTIs in the first year of life.

Methods: We tested cord-blood (CB) 25(OH)D at birth and 1 year of age and genotypes of a variant at the 17q12-21 locus for associations with RTIs, particularly lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), and determined whether there exist interactions between 25(OH)D and 17q12-21 genotypes in a birth cohort of 473 infants.

Prenatal maternal distress affects atopic dermatitis in offspring mediated by oxidative stress.

Background: Recent evidence suggests that prenatal maternal distress increases the risk of allergic diseases in offspring. However, the effect of prenatal maternal depression and anxiety on atopic dermatitis (AD) risk remains poorly understood.

Objective: We investigated whether prenatal maternal distress is associated with AD risk in offspring and whether the mechanism is mediated by reactive oxygen species.

The Interaction Between Prenatal Exposure to Home Renovation and Reactive Oxygen Species Genes in Cord Blood IgE Response is Modified by Maternal Atopy.

Purpose: Although home renovation exposure during childhood has been identified as a risk factor for the development of allergy, there is limited information on the association between prenatal exposure to home renovation and cord blood (CB) IgE response. The aims of this study were to identify the effect of prenatal exposure to home renovation on CB IgE levels, and to investigate whether this exposure interacts with neonatal genes and whether the effect can be modified by maternal atopy.

Methods: This study included 1,002 mother-neonate pairs from the COhort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and allergic diseases (COCOA).

Prenatal Particulate Matter/Tobacco Smoke Increases Infants' Respiratory Infections: COCOA Study.

Purpose: To investigate whether prenatal exposure to indoor fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) affects susceptibility to respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in infancy, to compare their effects between prenatal and postnatal exposure, and to determine whether genetic factors modify these environmental effects.

Methods: The study population consisted of 307 birth cohort infants.

Interactions between innate immunity genes and early-life risk factors in allergic rhinitis.

Purpose: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic disease. Many factors could affect the development of AR. We investigated early-life factors, such as delivery mode, feeding method, and use of antibiotics during infancy, which could affect the development of AR.

Association Between Antibiotic Exposure, Bronchiolitis, and TLR4 (rs1927911) Polymorphisms in Childhood Asthma.

Purpose: The complex interplay between environmental and genetic factors plays an important role in the development of asthma. Several studies have yielded conflicting results regarding the 2 asthma-related risk factors: antibiotic usage during infancy and/or a history of bronchiolitis during early life and the development of asthma. In addition to these risk factors, we also explored the effects of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) polymorphism on the development of childhood asthma.

The effect of perinatal anxiety on bronchiolitis is influenced by polymorphisms in ROS-related genes.

Background: Exposure to perinatal anxiety affects disease susceptibility in offspring but studies on the association between perinatal anxiety and gene polymorphisms are lacking. This study aimed to elucidate the interaction between perinatal anxiety and polymorphisms in antioxidant defense and innate immunity genes on the development of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) during early infancy.

Methods: Trait anxiety levels in 440 women were assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory during late gestation.

Effect of antibiotic use and mold exposure in infancy on allergic rhinitis in susceptible adolescents.

Background: Antibiotic use in infancy induces alteration in intestinal microbiota and is associated with the development of allergic diseases. Mold exposure is also associated with allergic diseases. Genetic susceptibility may interact with specific environmental factors in allergic disease development.

Association between recent acetaminophen use and asthma: modification by polymorphism at TLR4.

The risk of asthma has been increasing in parallel with use of acetaminophen, which is a potential source of oxidative stress. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a critical role not only in innate immunity, but also in mediating reactive oxygen species induced inflammation. Therefore, we investigated associations between acetaminophen usage and TLR4 polymorphism on asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR).

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Suppresses Asthmatic Responses via CD4(+)CD25(+) Regulatory T Cells and Dendritic Cells.

Purpose: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is known to suppress the asthmatic responses in a murine model of asthma and to induce dendritic cells (DCs) maturation. Mature DCs play a crucial role in the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are known to regulate allergic inflammatory responses. To investigate whether BCG regulates Tregs in a DCs-mediated manner, we analyzed in a murine model of asthma.

A novel synthetic mycolic Acid inhibits bronchial hyperresponsiveness and allergic inflammation in a mouse model of asthma.

Purpose: Recognition of microbes is important to trigger the innate immune system. Mycolic acid (MA) is a component of the cell walls of mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guerin. MA has immunogenic properties, which may modulate the innate and adaptive immune response.

Mutations in the Filaggrin are Predisposing Factor in Korean Children With Atopic Dermatitis.

Purpose: Filaggrin (FLG) is a key protein that facilitates the terminal differentiation of the epidermis and the formation of the skin barrier. Recent studies showed that atopic dermatitis (AD) associates closely with loss-of-function mutations in the FLG gene. Asian and European populations differ in the frequencies of FLG mutations.

Effect of paracetamol use on the modification of the development of asthma by reactive oxygen species genes.

Background: Recent studies have identified an increase in the prevalence of asthma associated with paracetamol use.

Objective: To identify the relationship among asthma, biomarkers, genes, and paracetamol use in preschool children.

Methods: We undertook a population-based, cross-sectional survey of 933 preschool children.

GSDMB/ORMDL3 variants contribute to asthma susceptibility and eosinophil-mediated bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

In 2007, a genome-wide association study identified associations between variants involved in the regulation of ORMDL3 expression and asthma. These observations were subsequently replicated in case-control studies in several ethnic groups. We investigated the possible contribution of GSDMB/ORMDL3 variants to asthma susceptibility and intermediate asthma phenotypes in Korean children.

Acute human immunodeficiency virus syndrome presenting with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has been described in patients with advanced stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but rarely occurs during the seroconversion stage of acute HIV infection. We report a case of acute HIV syndrome that presented with virus-associated HLH. The patient recovered spontaneously without any immunomodulating therapy.

Recently occurring adult tetanus in Korea: emphasis on immunization and awareness of tetanus.

Since a nationwide childhood vaccination with tetanus toxoid, tetanus has become a rare disease in Korea. However, we recently experienced 17 cases of adult tetanus in a university hospital during a 21-month period. Seventy percent of the patients were female, and the mean age was 63 yr (range, 29-87).