Artificial Intelligence-Based Classification and Segmentation of Bladder Cancer in Cystoscope Images.

Background/objectives: Cystoscopy is necessary for diagnosing bladder cancer, but it has limitations in identifying ambiguous lesions, such as carcinoma in situ (CIS), which leads to a high recurrence rate of bladder cancer. With the significant advancements in deep learning in the medical field, several studies have explored its application in cystoscopy. This study aimed to utilize the VGG19 and Deeplab v3+ deep learning models to classify and segment cystoscope images, respectively.

The role of exercise in promoting lymphangiogenesis and extracellular matrix synthesis in lymphedema-induced tissue injury.

Background: Secondary lymphedema is a progressive condition caused by lipid- and protein-rich interstitial fluid accumulation resulting from compromised lymphatic function. It commonly occurs in cancer patients following surgical lymph node ablation and radiation treatment. This study aims to elucidate the effects of exercise on the myokine interleukin (IL)-6 and the molecular changes involved in lymphangiogenesis and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis using a lymphedema mouse model.

Urethral Sparing Trans-Vesical Robot-Assisted Simple Prostatectomy: A Comparative Analysis of Perioperative, Postoperative Outcomes, and Ejaculation Preservation.

Purpose: To compare the perioperative and postoperative outcomes between traditional trans-vesical robot-assisted simple prostatectomy (TV-RASP) and the newly introduced urethral-sparing (US) RASP.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 42 patients who underwent TV-RASP (n=22) or US-RASP (n=20) performed by two experienced surgeons at two tertiary centers. Perioperative outcomes including operation time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, and catheterization time were assessed.

Transcriptome sequencing of the endangered land snail Karaftohelix adamsi from the Island Ulleung: De novo assembly, annotation, valuation of fitness genes and SSR markers.

Background: The Bradybaenidae snail Karaftohelix adamsi is endemic to Korea, with the species tracked from Island Ulleung in North Gyeongsang Province of South Korea. K. adamsi has been classified under the Endangered Wildlife Class II species of Korea and poses a severe risk of extinction following habitat disturbances.

Transcriptome analysis of Haemaphysalis flava female using Illumina HiSeq 4000 sequencing: de novo assembly, functional annotation and discovery of SSR markers.

Background: Ticks are ectoparasites capable of directly damaging their hosts and transmitting vector-borne diseases. The ixodid tick Haemaphysalis flava has a broad distribution that extends from East to South Asia. This tick is a reservoir of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) that causes severe hemorrhagic disease, with cases reported from China, Japan and South Korea.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Macrophage Activation Induced by Bioavailable Cinnamon Polyphenols in Mice.

Scope: Cinnamon is a commonly used spice and herb that is rich in polyphenols. Due to the limited bioavailability of oral polyphenols, it remains unclear to which extent they can reach cells and exert a biological effect. This study aims to investigate the impact of bioavailable cinnamon polyphenols on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages.

Deep Learning-Based Computational Cytopathologic Diagnosis of Metastatic Breast Carcinoma in Pleural Fluid.

A Pleural effusion cytology is vital for treating metastatic breast cancer; however, concerns have arisen regarding the low accuracy and inter-observer variability in cytologic diagnosis. Although artificial intelligence-based image analysis has shown promise in cytopathology research, its application in diagnosing breast cancer in pleural fluid remains unexplored. To overcome these limitations, we evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of an artificial intelligence-based model using a large collection of cytopathological slides, to detect the malignant pleural effusion cytology associated with breast cancer.

A review of the endangered mollusks transcriptome under the threatened species initiative of Korea.

Transcriptome studies for conservation of endangered mollusks is a proactive approach towards managing threats and uncertainties facing these species in natural environments. The population of these species is declining due to habitat destruction, illicit wildlife trade, and global climate change. These activities risk the free movement of species across the wild landscape, loss of breeding grounds, and restrictions in displaying the physiological attributes so crucial for faunal welfare.

Similar Midterm Outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasties with Anterior and Posterior Tibial Slopes Performed on Paired Knees at a Minimum Follow-up of 5 Years.

A small posterior tibial slope (PTS) is generally recommended in posterior stabilized (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA). An unwanted anterior tibial slope (ATS), which can affect postoperative results, may be created in PS TKA because of the inaccuracy of surgical instruments and techniques, as well as high interpatient variability. We compared midterm clinical and radiographic results of PS TKAs with ATS and PTS performed on paired knees using the same prosthesis.

Transcriptome analysis of the endangered dung beetle Copris tripartitus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and characterization of genes associated to immunity, growth, and reproduction.

Background: Dung beetles recycle organic matter through the decomposition of feces and support ecological balance. However, these insects are threatened by the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals and habitat destruction. Copris tripartitus Waterhouse (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a dung beetle, is listed as a class-II Korean endangered species.

Harmine Inhibits Multiple TLR-Induced Inflammatory Expression through Modulation of NF-κB p65, JNK, and STAT1.

Harmine is a beta-carboline alkaloid present in various plants, including in the seeds of L. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of harmine using macrophages stimulated with various toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists and a model of endotoxemia. The expression of inflammatory mediators induced by ligands of TLRs 2, 3, 4, and 9 were examined in thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages isolated from BALB/c and C57BL/6 mouse strains.

Massive Retinal Gliosis Mistaken as a Malignant Intraocular Tumor in Phthisis Bulbi.

Massive retinal gliosis (MRG) is a rare condition of non-neoplastic glial proliferation, which forms massive lesions that fill the eye. MRG is commonly associated with phthisis bulbi (a non-functional eye), congenital anomalies, or malformations. Herein, we report a case of massive retinal gliosis associated with a traumatic phthisis bulbi, which was initially mistaken as a malignant intraocular tumor and confirmed only after an eye enucleation.

Risk factors for stent occlusion after catheter-directed thrombolysis and iliac vein stenting in the treatment of May-Thurner syndrome with iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for stent occlusion in patients with iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) secondary to May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and iliac vein stenting.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 44 patients who underwent CDT and iliac vein stenting for MTS with iliofemoral DVT between October 2001 and March 2018. MTS was diagnosed based on extrinsic compression of the left common iliac vein (CIV) by the overlying right common iliac artery (CIA) on computed tomography (CT).

What are the risk factors for recurrent UTI with repeated ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae? A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: A previous study has shown that two-thirds of patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae experience recurrence with the same bacteria on subsequent UTI episodes. However, little is known about which patients suffer from UTI due to ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae repeatedly. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for recurrent UTI due to repeated ESBL-producing organism infections.

Broadband metasurface superstrate for polarization-independent wave focusing and gain enhancement at Ka-band.

A broadband metasurface flat lens is proposed as a polarization-independent wideband superstrate for wave focusing and gain enhancement at Ka-band. The proposed metasurface structure consists of four metal layers and is designed with diagonally symmetric unit cells to accommodate both the vertical and horizontal polarizations. The focusing ability of the proposed metasurface flat lens is validated via simulation and measurement, where normally incident plane waves are shown to be enhanced by up to 11 dB as a result of wave focusing.

Secondary Malignancy in Giant Cell Tumor: A Single-Center Study.

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) undergoes a sarcomatous transformation. Secondary malignancy in giant cell tumor (MGCT) is associated with radiotherapy and has a dismal prognosis. We reviewed medical records to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of MGCT patients.

Oral administration of Euglena gracilis paramylon ameliorates chemotherapy-induced leukocytopenia and gut dysbiosis in mice.

Euglena gracilis (EUG) is a food supplement rich in beta-glucans, which are stored in the form of granules called paramylon. We determined whether EUG improved chemotherapy-induced leukocytopenia and dysbiosis. Mice were orally administered EUG prior to gemcitabine treatment.

A performance predictor of beamforming versus time-reversal based far-field wireless power transfer from linear array.

For far-field wireless power transfer (WPT) in a complex propagation environment, a time-reversal (TR) based WPT that can overcome the drawbacks of conventional beamforming (BF) by taking advantage of multipath has been recently proposed. However, due to the WPT performance of BF and TR depending on the complexity of the propagation environment, the performance prediction between BF versus TR would be required. We present a detailed and generalized analysis of the recently proposed performance metric referred to as the peak received power ratio (PRPR) for linear array-based WPT.

Guidewire-catheter induced hydrodissection to assist radiofrequency ablation for subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma with iodized oil retention in patients with failed artificial ascites due to perihepatic adhesion.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of guidewire-catheter induced hydrodissection (GIH) to assist radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with iodized oil retention in patients with failed artificial ascites due to perihepatic adhesion.

Methods: This retrospective study included 17 patients with small subcapsular HCC ineligible for ultrasonography-guided RFA who received RFA under guidance of fluoroscopy and cone-beam computed tomography immediately after iodized oil transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) between April 2011 and January 2016. In the study patients, creation of artificial ascites to protect the perihepatic structures failed due to perihepatic adhesion and GIH was attempted to separate the perihepatic structures from the ablation zone.

Optimal timing of portal vein embolization (PVE) after preoperative biliary drainage for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) followed by portal vein embolization (PVE) has increased the chance of resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCC). We aim to identify the optimal timing of PVE after PBD in patients undergoing hepatectomy for hilar CCC.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 64 patients who underwent hepatectomy after PBD and PVE for hilar CCC.

Combined transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation for subphrenic versus nonsubphrenic hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score matched study.

Purpose: To compare therapeutic outcomes of combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in subphrenic versus nonsubphrenic locations by propensity score matching.

Methods: This retrospective study included 293 patients with single HCC (≤ 3 cm) ineligible for ultrasound-guided RFA who received iodized oil TACE and subsequent RFA between June 2010 and January 2017. The patients were divided into two groups according to the tumor location: subphrenic (n = 99) and nonsubphrenic (n = 194).