Polyhexamethylene Guanidine Phosphate Induces Restrictive Ventilation Defect and Alters Lung Resistance and Compliance in Mice.

Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p), a major ingredient of humidifier disinfectants, is known to induce inflammation, interstitial pneumonitis, and fibrosis in the lungs. While its histopathologic toxicities have been studied in rodents, research on pulmonary function test (PFT) changes following PHMG-p exposure is limited. This study aimed to investigate the acute and chronic effects, as well as the dose and time response, of PHMG-p on the lungs in mice using PFT and histopathologic examinations.

Tight junction protein changes in irritable bowel syndrome: the relation of age and disease severity.

Background/aims: The etiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with intestinal mucosal barrier damage. However, changes in the tight junction (TJ) proteins in IBS have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate TJ protein changes in IBS patients and the relationship between aging and disease severity.

Characteristics and sources of potentially toxic elements in road-deposited sediments at the Port of Busan, South Korea: A key contributor to port sediments pollution.

This study investigated the spatial distribution and chemical characteristics of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in road-deposited sediments (RDS) at the Port of Busan by size fraction. Enrichment factor (EF) values for Zn, Cd, and Sb in fine RDS <250 μm were 52-69, 49-78, and 46-44, respectively, indicating 'extremely high enrichment'. Various statistical analyses, including PCA and PMF models, revealed a strong correlation between pollution levels in RDS <250 μm and vehicle type, identifying non-exhaust emissions (NEE) of vehicles as a primary source of PTEs in RDS from the port.

Safety and efficacy of Mg-Dy membrane with poly-L-lactic acid coating for guided bone regeneration.

The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)-coated magnesium (Mg)-Dysprosium (Dy) membrane in guided bone regeneration (GBR) using a rabbit calvarium model. The microstructure of the Mg-Dy membrane surface and thickness of the PLLA coating were examined. In vitro degradation and cytotoxicity test was conducted.

Development and cross-validation of prediction equations for body composition in adult cancer survivors from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

Epidemiological studies frequently use indices of adiposity related to mortality. However, no studies have validated prediction equations for body composition in adult cancer survivors. We aimed to develop and cross-validate prediction equations for body fat mass (BFM), lean body mass (LBM), trunk fat mass (TFM), and appendicular lean mass (ALM) in adult cancer survivors using sociodemographic, anthropometric, and laboratory test data.

Advances in Understanding Hepatocellular Carcinoma Vasculature: Implications for Diagnosis, Prognostication, and Treatment.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progresses through multiple stages of hepatocarcinogenesis, with each stage characterized by specific changes in vascular supply, drainage, and microvascular structure. These vascular changes significantly influence the imaging findings of HCC, enabling non-invasive diagnosis. Vascular changes in HCC are closely related to aggressive histological characteristics and treatment responses.

Ten-Year Clinical Outcomes of V4c Implantable Collamer Lens Implantation: Longitudinal Analysis of Visual Acuity, Endothelial Cell Density, and Vault Dynamics.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of V4c Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) implantation for myopia correction over a 10-year period.

Design: Retrospective interventional case series METHODS: This retrospective interventional study involved 103 myopic eyes from 54 patients. Visual outcomes, including visual acuity and manifest refraction were assessed.

Human Joint Angle Estimation Using Deep Learning-Based Three-Dimensional Human Pose Estimation for Application in a Real Environment.

Human pose estimation (HPE) is a technique used in computer vision and artificial intelligence to detect and track human body parts and poses using images or videos. Widely used in augmented reality, animation, fitness applications, and surveillance, HPE methods that employ monocular cameras are highly versatile and applicable to standard videos and CCTV footage. These methods have evolved from two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) pose estimation.

Decreased aggressive care at the end of life among advanced cancer patients in the Republic of Korea: a nationwide study from 2012 to 2018.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the trends of aggressive care at the end-of-life (EoL) for patients with advanced cancer in Korea and to identify factors affecting such care analyzing nationwide data between 2012 to 2018.

Methods: This was a population-based, retrospective nationwide study. We used administrative data from the National Health Insurance Service and the Korea Central Cancer Registry to analyze 125,350 patients aged 20 years and above who died within one year of a stage IV cancer diagnosis between 2012 and 2018.

Successful post-incomplete resection management of gastrointestinal stromal tumor using imatinib based on adenosine triphosphate-based tumor sensitivity assay in a dog.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors arising from gastric cardia are uncommon in dogs. A few studies have shown the effectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of canine gastrointestinal stromal tumors, but no standardized protocols are currently available. An 11-year-old spayed female Maltese dog was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor using histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses.

Exploring Factors Influencing Caregiver Burden: A Systematic Review of Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Chronic Illness in Local Communities.

This study aimed to systematically review and analyze factors contributing to caregiver burden among family caregivers of older adults with chronic illnesses in local communities. Specific objectives included exploring the characteristics of older adults with chronic illness and caregiver burden through an extensive literature review and identifying factors influencing caregiver burden in this population. Using Korean (RISS, KISS, and KoreaMed) and international (EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library) databases, this study employed systematic search methods to identify relevant literature.

Inhibition of NADPH oxidase 2 enhances resistance to viral neuroinflammation by facilitating M1-polarization of macrophages at the extraneural tissues.

Background: Macrophages play a pivotal role in the regulation of Japanese encephalitis (JE), a severe neuroinflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) following infection with JE virus (JEV). Macrophages are known for their heterogeneity, polarizing into M1 or M2 phenotypes in the context of various immunopathological diseases. A comprehensive understanding of macrophage polarization and its relevance to JE progression holds significant promise for advancing JE control and therapeutic strategies.

Longitudinal long term follow up investigation on the carcinogenic impact of polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate in rat models.

Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p) is a major component in humidifier disinfectants, which cause life-threatening lung injuries. However, to our knowledge, no published studies have investigated associations between PHMG-p dose and lung damage severity with long-term follow-up. Therefore, we evaluated longitudinal dose-dependent changes in lung injuries using repeated chest computed tomography (CT).

Double-wire woven nitinol stent for treating dogs with refractory tracheal collapse: A case series.

This retrospective case series describes the signalments, clinical signs, diagnostic test results, and postoperative complications obtained from the medical records of 10 client-owned dogs that underwent treatment for grade IV tracheal collapse using double-wire woven nitinol stents between October 2017 and September 2021. Respiratory signs resolved in all dogs immediately after tracheal stent placement. Mild to moderate stent fractures were identified in five dogs, of which two showed concurrent respiratory distress necessitating re-stenting after several months.