Transcriptomic Analysis of Air-Liquid Interface Culture in Human Lung Organoids Reveals Regulators of Epithelial Differentiation.

To develop in vitro respiratory models, it is crucial to identify the factors involved in epithelial cell differentiation. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the effects of air-liquid interface (ALI) culture on epithelial cell differentiation using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). ALI culture induced a pronounced shift in cell composition, marked by a fivefold increase in ciliated cells and a reduction of more than half in basal cells.

SrTiO and (Ba,Sr)TiO Films Epitaxially Grown on SrRuO Using Atomic Layer Deposition.

High dielectric constant () materials have been investigated to improve the performance of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) capacitors. However, the conventional binary oxides have reached their fundamental limit of < 100. In this study, we investigated alternative ternary oxides, SrTiO (STO) and (Ba,Sr)TiO (BSTO), which were epitaxially grown on SrRuO (SRO) using atomic layer deposition (ALD).

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease presenting as bronchiolitis pattern on CT without cavity or bronchiectasis.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the radiological changes in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) having bronchiolitis patterns on computed tomography (CT).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the final diagnosis and radiologic changes of patients suspected of having NTM-PD without cavity or bronchiectasis on CT image, between January 1, 2005 and March 31, 2021. NTM-PD was diagnosed based on the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America criteria.

Robot-assisted versus conventional neck dissection: a propensity score matched case-control study on perioperative and oncologic outcomes.

The widespread acceptance of robotic surgery is extending to oral procedures. The demand for minimally invasive techniques is driving research into the cosmetic and oncologic benefits of robotic neck surgery. This study used propensity score matching to analyze the clinical course and postoperative outcomes of robot-assisted neck dissections for oncologic efficacy and surgical safety.

Implications of TP-positive CAFs in the Bone Invasion of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have recently been suggested as critical cellular components of bone invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and subtypes related to their bone-invasive function are unclear. This study investigated the implications of thymidine phosphorylase (TP)-positive CAFs (TPCAFs) in OSCC bone invasion.

Consecutive assessment of recovery after peripheral nerve injury of the sciatic nerve within the same rat using PET/MRI.

Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) has been reported as effective in diagnosing peripheral nerve injury (PNI). However, there is a lack of studies evaluating different degrees of PNI using PET within the same individual to reduce errors due to interindividual differences.

Purpose: To evaluate the recovery process in the same rat after sciatic nerve injury using PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Is immediate dental implant in fibula free flap beneficial for implant survival and osteoradionecrosis in jaw reconstruction?

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the risk of osteoradionecrosis and implant survival in oral cancer patients undergoing immediate dental implants during jaw reconstruction, termed "Jaw in a Day" (JIAD), with those receiving no implants or delayed implants (non-JIAD).

Patients & Methods: Clinicopathologic data were collected from prospectively enrolled JIAD patients (n = 10, 29 implants) and retrospectively from non-JIAD patients (n = 117, 86 implants). Survival analyses were performed to assess implant survival and osteoradionecrosis-free survival.

Occupational and environmental risk factors for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A case-control study.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental and occupational risk factors of IPF.

Methods: This hospital-based, case-control study included 206 patients with IPF selected from the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Interstitial Lung Disease registry and 167 controls without lung disease.

Assessment of traumatic mandibular nerve using MR neurography sequence: a preliminary study.

Background: Iatrogenic mandibular nerve damage resulting from oral surgeries and dental procedures is painful and a formidable challenge for patients and oral surgeons alike, mainly because the absence of objective and quantitative methods for diagnosing nerve damage renders treatment and compensation ambiguous while often leading to medico-legal disputes. The aim of this study was to examine discriminating factors of traumatic mandibular nerve within a specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol and to suggest tangible diagnostic criteria for peripheral trigeminal nerve injury.

Methods: Twenty-six patients with ipsilateral mandibular nerve trauma underwent T2 Flex water, 3D short tau inversion recovery (STIR), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) acquired by periodically rotating overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) pulse sequences; 26 injured nerves were thus compared with contra-lateral healthy nerves at anatomically corresponding sites.

Synchronous occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma and Warthin's tumor: systematic review and case report.

We systematically reviewed the literature on the co-occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and Warthin's tumor (WT), thought to be quite rare, to help reduce misdiagnosis and improve treatment planning. For this systematic review, we searched for articles in the Web of Science and PubMed databases, analyzed relevant studies for forward and backward citations, and identified only articles reporting on the "co-occurrence" of WT and SCC. Of the 237 studies identified, 12 comprising 18 patients met the inclusion criteria, to which we added one study from our institution.

Machine Learning-Based Etiologic Subtyping of Ischemic Stroke Using Circulating Exosomal microRNAs.

Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Proper etiological subtyping of ischemic stroke is crucial for tailoring treatment strategies. This study explored the utility of circulating microRNAs encapsulated in extracellular vesicles (EV-miRNAs) to distinguish the following ischemic stroke subtypes: large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), cardioembolic stroke (CES), and small artery occlusion (SAO).

Comparing the safety and effectiveness of overlapping stents with flow diverters for unruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms.

Background: Endovascular treatment for vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) includes overlapping stents and flow diverters. This study compared the safety and effectiveness of overlapping stents and flow diverters for unruptured VADAs.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled patients with unruptured VADAs who underwent overlapping stents or flow diverters at two tertiary hospitals in South Korea.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of an Automatic Closed-Suction System in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Pneumonia: A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Non-Inferiority, Investigator-Initiated Trial.

Endotracheal suctioning is an essential but labor-intensive procedure, with the risk of serious complications. A brand new automatic closed-suction device was developed to alleviate the workload of healthcare providers and minimize those complications. We evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of the automatic suction system in mechanically ventilated patients with pneumonia.

Artificial intelligence-based radiographic extent analysis to predict tuberculosis treatment outcomes: a multicenter cohort study.

Predicting outcomes in pulmonary tuberculosis is challenging despite effective treatments. This study aimed to identify factors influencing treatment success and culture conversion, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI)-based chest X-ray analysis and Xpert MTB/RIF assay cycle threshold (Ct) values. In this retrospective study across six South Korean referral centers (January 1 to December 31, 2019), we included adults with rifampicin-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis confirmed by Xpert assay from sputum samples.

Association of Body Composition Changes with the Development of Diabetes Mellitus: A Nation-Wide Population Study.

Backgruound: We investigated the association between body composition changes and new-onset diabetes mellitus (DM) development according to the body mass index (BMI) in a longitudinal setting in the general Korean population.

Methods: From 2010 to 2011 (1st) and 2012 to 2013 (2nd), we included 1,607,508 stratified random sample participants without DM from the National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening dataset of Korean. The predicted appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (pASMMI), body fat mass index (pBFMI), and lean body mass index (pLBMI) were calculated using pre-validated anthropometric prediction equations.

Global intracranial arterial tortuosity is associated with intracranial atherosclerotic burden.

The effect of arterial tortuosity on intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of global intracranial arterial tortuosity on intracranial atherosclerotic burden in patients with ischemic stroke. We included patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and classified them into three groups according to the ICAS burden.

Nonpharmacological Treatment for Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) results from the exposure of susceptible hosts to a diverse group of environmental mycobacteria. The emphasis on nonpharmacological strategies is motivated by the widespread presence of NTM in various environments, and the inconsistent success rates of pharmacological treatments. Modifiable factors contributing to NTM-PD development include impaired airway clearance, low body mass index, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and exposure to NTM habitats.

Uncovering the impact of UV radiation on mitochondria in dermal cells: a STED nanoscopy study.

Mitochondria are essential organelles in cellular energy metabolism and other cellular functions. Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely linked to cellular damage and can potentially contribute to the aging process. The purpose of this study was to investigate the subcellular structure of mitochondria and their activities in various cellular environments using super-resolution stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy.

Improvement in Health-Related Quality of Life Following Antibiotic Treatment in Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease: Initial Analysis of the NTM-KOREA Cohort.

Background: Improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has emerged as a priority in the management of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). We aimed to evaluate HRQOL and its changes after 6 months' treatment in patients with NTM-PD.

Methods: The NTM-KOREA is a nationwide prospective cohort enrolling patients initiating treatment for NTM-PD in 8 institutions across South Korea.

High-κ Dielectric (HfO)/2D Semiconductor (HfSe) Gate Stack for Low-Power Steep-Switching Computing Devices.

Herein, a high-quality gate stack (native HfO formed on 2D HfSe) fabricated via plasma oxidation is reported, realizing an atomically sharp interface with a suppressed interface trap density (D ≈ 5 × 10 cm eV). The chemically converted HfO exhibits dielectric constant, κ ≈ 23, resulting in low gate leakage current (≈10 A cm) at equivalent oxide thickness ≈0.5 nm.