Ischaemic stroke in a patient with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) despite non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) therapy.

Primary stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is primarily with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) therapy. However, 20-36% of ischaemic strokes seem to occur in patients with atrial fibrillation while already on anticoagulation. We present a case of an ischaemic stroke in an elderly female in her 70s with medical history significant for hypertension and NVAF.

Effects of Nonpharmacological Interventions on Sleep Quality and Insomnia in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women: A Meta-Analysis.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of nonpharmacological interventions on perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with sleep problems. Eight databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, and four Korean databases) were searched, from their inception through to 30 November 2021, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of nonpharmacological interventions versus control conditions on sleep quality and insomnia in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the severity of insomnia was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).

[A menopausal transition model based on transition theory].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to construct a hypothetical model based on Meleis and colleagues' Transition Theory and a literature review to explain women's menopausal transition, constructing a modified model considering previous studies and model fit and testing the effects between variables.

Methods: With a correlational survey design, middle-aged Korean women aged 40 to 64 years who had experienced menopausal symptoms were recruited and filled out a self-administered study questionnaire. Measures included menopausal symptoms, resilience, social support, menopause management, menopause adaptation, and quality of life.

Corrigendum: Factors influencing prenatal and postpartum depression in Korea: a prospective cohort study.

[This corrects the article on p. 326 in vol. 27.

Factors influencing prenatal and postpartum depression in Korea: a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: This study explored the prevalence of prenatal and postpartum depression in Korea and its influencing factors from 20 weeks of pregnancy to 12 weeks postpartum.

Methods: Using a prospective cohort study design, data on women's depression and its influencing factors were collected at 20, 28, and 36 weeks of pregnancy and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postpartum. The participants were 219 women and 181 spouses during pregnancy; and 183 mothers and 130 spouses after childbirth.

Depression and stress in Korean parents: A cohort study.

Aim: This study identified the level of depression and stress in couples experiencing pregnancy and childbirth.

Background: Married couples who experience pregnancy and delivery, deal with psychological changes during the parenthood transition. If they do not adapt well, they experience negative emotions that negatively affect them and their child.

Development and application of a couple-centered antenatal education program in Korea.

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop a couple-centered antenatal education program and to test the program's feasibility.

Methods: With a preliminary-experimental study design, 33 pregnant couples who were expecting their first child participated in this study. The program consisted of four sessions (1 hour/session/week) of education and counseling.

[Adaptation in pregnant women: a descriptive phenomenological study using Giorgi's approach].

Purpose: This descriptive phenomenological study aimed to explore the lived experience and meaning of pregnant women's adaptation.

Methods: Ten pregnant women from an ongoing Pregnant Couples' Cohort Study agreed to participate in this study. The data were collected through telephone in-depth interviews regarding what they experienced and felt about pregnancy adaptation.

Effects of psychoeducation on the mental health and relationships of pregnant couples: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Previous studies suggest that psychoeducational interventions for pregnant and postpartum couples can improve perinatal mental health outcomes and promote couples' relationships. However, most studies conducted to date have focused only on maternal depression, with few studies addressing the needs of fathers, or the effects of paternal participation on the mental health/relationship of both partners.

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically examine the effects of perinatal couples' psychoeducation on parental mental health and their relationship.

Pregnant Women's Antenatal Depression and Influencing Factors.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of antenatal depression in pregnant women and its influencing factors.

Methods: With a cross-sectional survey design, a total of 396 pregnant women were recruited from a local obstetrics and gynecology clinic. Measurements included antenatal depression, perceived stress, predictors of depression during pregnancy, and demographic and obstetric characteristics.

Interventions promoting exclusive breastfeeding up to six months after birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) of their infants for 6 months. Various breastfeeding support interventions have been developed to encourage mothers to maintain breastfeeding practices. Research aim: This study aims to review how effectively breastfeeding support interventions enable mothers to practice EBF for 6 months and to suggest the best intervention strategies.

Stereotactic EEG-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

Objective: To determine the outcomes of combined stereo-electroencephalography-guided and MRI-guided stereotactic laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) in the treatment of patients with drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE).

Methods: We prospectively assessed the surgical and neuropsychological outcomes in 21 patients with medically refractory mTLE who underwent LITT at the University of Chicago Medical Center. We further compared the surgical outcomes in patients with and without mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS).

Impact of Menopausal Status, Metabolic Syndrome and its Risk Factors on Impaired Quality of Life above Middle-aged Women.

Purpose: This study explored influencing factors on quality of life (QoL) above middle-aged women in relation to demographic factors, health-related factors, menopausal status, metabolic syndrome (MS) and its risk factors.

Methods: This study was secondary data analysis from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013~2015 that utilized a complex, multi-stage probability sample design. Study sample of 2,310 was inclusive of (28.

Depth of Pleural Effusion in Thoracentesis: Comparison of Lateral, Posterolateral and Posterior Approaches in the Supine Position.

Background: In patients who have difficulty sitting, thoracentesis is attempted in a supine position via lateral approach. Recently, a new table has been designed for supine thoracentesis. This table has gaps that allow access to the posterolateral and posterior hemithorax.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of porous TiNi-based alloy as a scaffold for cell tissue engineering.

This study aims to look into the applicability of a porous TiNi-based shape memory alloy (SMA) scaffold as an incubator for bone marrow mesenchymal cells, hepatocytes, and pancreatic islet cells. The porous TiNi-based SMA used was fabricated using a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) technique, in which scaffold blocks measuring 4 × 4 × 10 mm were prepared. In vitro tests were done using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) isolated from mature bone marrow of CBA/j inbred mice, and cultured in 3 different culture media - Control medium, Osteogenic medium, and Chondrogenic medium.

Synthesis and characterization of conducting polyaniline-copper composites.

Conducting polymer composites have many interesting physical properties and important application potentials. Suitable combinations of metal nanoparticles with conductive polymers can result in composite materials having unique physical and chemical properties that can have wide application potential in diverse areas. In this work, copper nanoparticles were fabricated by electrical explosion of wire (EEW) in solution of polyacrylic acid (PAA) and ethanol.

Novel supine thoracentesis bed enabling thoracentesis via the posterior axillary line.

Purpose: This study describes on supine thoracentesis bed (STB), which helps thoracentesis of supine patient by enabling unlimited access to the posterolateral surface of a hemithorax.

Materials And Methods: Records of 15 patients who had received US-guided supine thoracentesis on STB were reviewed. We investigated the lateral or posterolateral approaches selected by the operators.

Platinum nanoparticles reduce ovariectomy-induced bone loss by decreasing osteoclastogenesis.

Platinum nanoparticles (PtNP) exhibit remarkable antioxidant activity. There is growing evidence concerning a positive relationship between oxidative stress and bone loss, suggesting that PtNP could protect against bone loss by modulating oxidative stress. Intragastric administration of PtNP reduced ovariectomy (OVX)- induced bone loss with a decreased level of activity and number of osteoclast (OC) in vivo.

Gold nanoparticles inhibited the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κb ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation by acting as an antioxidant.

Gold nanoparticles inhibited osteoclast (OC) formation induced by the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). This was accompanied by a decreased level of tartrate-resistant alkaline phosphatase (TRAP) and less activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB. The nanoparticles also reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to RANKL and upregulated RANKL-induced glutathione peroxidase-1 (Gpx-1), suggesting a role as an antioxidant in the BMM.

Crystallization of amorphous Fe90Zr10 under ball milling.

The present study deals with structural transformations induced by high-energy ball-milling of an amorphous Fe90Zr10 alloy prepared by melt-spinning. The amorphous melt-spun ribbons were found to undergo crystallization into BCC alpha-Fe(Zr) nanocrystallites under high-energy ball milling. The decomposition degree of the amorphous phase increased with increasing milling time and intensity.

Visual aspects of neurologic protein misfolding disorders.

Purpose Of Review: This article reviews topics of interest to the ophthalmologist relating to the most common neurologic protein misfolding disorders.

Recent Findings: Many neurodegenerative diseases are pathologically associated with misfolded proteins. These diseases cause a profound impact of disability to the individual and society.

Transmission electron microscopy and atom probe specimen preparation from mechanically alloyed powder using the focused ion-beam lift-out technique.

The preparation of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe-field ion microscopy (AP-FIM) specimens from mechanically alloyed Ti-Cu-Ni-Sn powder has been explored. Applying the focused ion beam (FIB) based in situ lift-out technique, it has been demonstrated that specimen preparation can be carried on single micrometre-sized powder particles without the use of any embedding media. Since the particles did not incorporate any micropores, as revealed by cross-sectioning, the standard procedure known for bulk samples could be simply implemented to the powder material.