Electrochemical Gene Amplification Signal Detection of Disposable Biochips Using Electrodes.

Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), a molecular diagnostic technology, is spotlighted as one of the quickest and fastest diagnostic methods for the actual coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). However, the fluorescent label-based technology of the RT-PCR technique requires expensive equipment and a sample pretreatment process for analysis. Therefore, this paper proposes a biochip based on Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS).

Voluntary Carbon Disclosure (VCD) Strategy under the Korean ETS: With the Interaction among Carbon Performance, Foreign Sales Ratio and Media Visibility.

While there has been a sufficient amount of research and empirical evidence on the factors that influence a company's decisions to voluntarily disclose carbon information, little research has been done on the carbon disclosure practices of ETS-affected companies, in Asian countries, in particular. Considering this, it is essential to shed light on more diverse linkages between carbon performance and voluntary carbon disclosure (VCD) under ETSs taking into account the specific context of each individual country. Drawing on the Korean ETS-affected companies with a contents analysis of their sustainable reports from 2015 to 2019, the present research seeks to address the existing knowledge gaps in the current literature on carbon disclosure.

Effect of COVID-19 on Emergency Department Visits by Pediatric Burn Patients in Korea: Retrospective Observational Study.

It's been over a year since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is still a global public health challenge. Many countries have implemented social distancing to prevent the risk of infection with COVID-19. As a result, children spend more time at home.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Tafenoquine for Radical Cure of Malaria in Korea.

Background: malaria has a persistent liver stage that causes relapse, and introducing tafenoquine to suppress relapse could aid in disease eradication. Therefore, we assessed the impact of tafenoquine introduction on malaria incidence and performed a cost-benefit analysis from the payer's perspective.

Methods: We expanded the previously developed malaria dynamic transmission model and calibrated it to weekly civilian malaria incidences in 2014-2018.

Multiple Compact Camera Fluorescence Detector for Real-Time PCR Devices.

The polymerase chain reaction is an important technique in biological research because it tests for diseases with a small amount of DNA. However, this process is time consuming and can lead to sample contamination. Recently, real-time PCR techniques have emerged which make it possible to monitor the amplification process for each cycle in real time.

Cloud-Based Software Architecture for Fully Automated Point-of-Care Molecular Diagnostic Device.

This paper proposes a cloud-based software architecture for fully automated point-of-care molecular diagnostic devices. The target system operates a cartridge consisting of an extraction body for DNA extraction and a PCR chip for amplification and fluorescence detection. To facilitate control and monitoring via the cloud, a socket server was employed for fundamental molecular diagnostic functions such as DNA extraction, amplification, and fluorescence detection.

Cost-Effective Multiplex Fluorescence Detection System for PCR Chip.

The lack of portability and high cost of multiplex real-time PCR systems limits the device to be used in POC. To overcome this issue, this paper proposes a compact and cost-effective fluorescence detection system that can be integrated to a multiplex real-time PCR equipment. An open platform camera with embedded lens was used instead of photodiodes or an industrial camera.

Open Platform Cameras Based Bio-Imaging Evaluation System.

With the active development of mobile devices, a variety of ultra-small, high-definition, and open platform-based cameras are being mass-produced. In this paper, we established an emulation system to verify the bio-imaging performance of the bulky and expensive high-performance cameras and various smartphone cameras that have been used in bio-imaging devices. In the proposed system, the linearity of the brightness gradient change of four types of cameras was compared and analyzed.

Antegrade Intramedullary Fixation for Clavicular Shaft Fracture: A Technical Trick.

The standard open reduction and internal fixation technique with a plate and screws for a simple mid shaft clavicular fracture necessitates a relatively large incision and can also lead to variable amount of keloid scar formation. Historically, other techniques of more minimally invasive retrograde intramedullary fixation with the entry point posterolaterally on the shoulder have shown their own disadvantages and complications. We present a surgical technique of antegrade intramedullary fixation for mid shaft clavicular fractures and an illustrative case series.

Quantitative Analysis of Fluorescence Detection Using a Smartphone Camera for a PCR Chip.

Most existing commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) instruments are bulky because they contain expensive fluorescent detection sensors or complex optical structures. In this paper, we propose an RT-PCR system using a camera module for smartphones that is an ultra small, high-performance and low-cost sensor for fluorescence detection. The proposed system provides stable DNA amplification.

Modelling the impact of rapid diagnostic tests on malaria in South Korea: a cost-benefit analysis.

Background: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are widely used for diagnosing malaria, especially in resource-limited countries. However, the impact of RDTs on malaria incidence and national medical costs has not been evaluated. We assessed the impact of RDT implementation on malaria incidence and overall medical expenditures in South Korea and performed a cost-benefit analysis from the payer's perspective.

Hematologic Expression After Shoulder Surgery: Normalization Curve of Serum Inflammatory Markers.

Purpose: To determine the normalization curves of the serologic markers including white blood cell (WBC) count, WBC differential for segmented neutrophil (WBC seg.), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) after elective shoulder surgery and to investigate the hematologic differences among different shoulder surgeries.

Methods: Seventy-seven patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR, group A), 44 patients had open rotator cuff repair (group B), and 84 patients had shoulder arthroplasty (group C).

Organizational Strategy and Corporate Social Responsibility: The Mediating Effect of Triple Bottom Line.

Limited research in the area of the triple bottom line (TBL) mediation effect on the relationship between organizational strategic performance (OSP) and corporate social responsibility performance (CSRP) has motivated this study. The objective of this study is to investigate how OSP affects CSRP and the mediation impact of TBL elements through the decision-making process of business management. Considering a sample of 250 employees from Bangladesh, this study used structural equation modelling (SEM) to test the relevant research hypotheses.

All-Suture Anchor Settling After Arthroscopic Repair of Small and Medium Rotator Cuff Tears.

Background: All-suture anchors are increasingly being used in rotator cuff repair. However, there are debates on the micromotion of all-suture anchors.

Purpose: To perform rotator cuff repair on patients with rotator cuff tears and different shoulder bone mineral densities (BMDs) and investigate (1) where the anchor is located under the cortex, (2) if there is any anchor migration settling during follow-up, and (3) if structural outcome differs according to shoulder BMD.

Arthroscopic Side-to-side Repair for Large U-shaped Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: Is the Repair Integrity Actually Maintained?

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and structural outcomes of arthroscopic side-to-side repair of large U-shaped full-thickness rotator cuff tears (FTRCTs) by assessing the functional score of the patients and the integrity of the tendon repair using magnetic resonance imaging with a minimum follow-up duration of 2 years.

Methods: In this case series, 59 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic side-to-side repair of large U-shaped FTRCTs, with a minimum follow-up duration of 2 years (range 25 to 72 months), were retrospectively enrolled. The mean patient age was 58.

Difficulty in performing activities of daily living associated with internal rotation after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

Background: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is a widely accepted treatment for irreparable massive rotator cuff tear (mRCT) and cuff tear arthropathy (CTA), but its impact on activities of daily living (ADLs) remains unclear.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 77 patients (age range, 54-87 years; follow-up range, 36.1-120.

Rapidly destructive arthropathy of shoulder joint.

Background: Rapidly destructive arthropathy (RDA) of the shoulder is rare. Consequently, there are very few studies that have reported the characteristic findings of this disease. This study aimed to analyze the clinical, radiographic, and histologic features of patients with RDA of the shoulder.

Hematologic profile in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: perioperative and postoperative blood loss.

Background: Few studies have investigated the amount of blood loss during reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). The purpose of this study was to investigate blood loss in patients who underwent RTSA for massive irreparable rotator cuff tear (MIRCT) using the hemoglobin (Hb) balance method and total Hemovac amount and to identify predictors of blood transfusion in these patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 121 patients who underwent RTSA for MIRCT.

Arthroscopic Findings and Clinical Outcomes in Patients 40 Years of Age and Older With Recurrent Shoulder Dislocation.

Purpose: The present study investigates the intra-articular findings and clinical outcomes after arthroscopic surgery in patients after age 40 with chronic anterior shoulder instability.

Methods: Fifty patients older than 40 years who underwent arthroscopic stabilization for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation were analyzed.

Results: The mean age at the time of surgery was 44.

Automated pipette failure monitoring using image processing for point-of-care testing devices.

Background: The accuracy and precision of liquid handling can be altered by several causes including wearing or failure of parts, and human error. The last cause is crucial since point-of-care testing (POCT) devices can be used by non-experienced users or patients themselves. Therefore it is important to improve the method of informing the users of POCT device malfunctions due to damage of parts or human error.

A study of polymerase chain reaction device control via cloud using Firebase Cloud Messaging protocol.

Background: In this paper, we propose a system for data monitoring and control of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) externally. PCR is a technique for amplifying a desired DNA molecule by repeatedly synthesizing a specific part of DNA sequence. Currently, commercially available systems are standalone systems or operate PCR devices through a computer in the vicinity of devices for control purposes.

Evaluation-independent system for DNA section amplification.

Background: In general, the image analysis of nucleic acid for detecting DNA is dependent on the gel documentation system. These experiments may deal with harmful staining agents and are time consuming. To address these issues, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) devices have been developed.

Performance evaluation of optimal real-time polymerase chain reaction achieved with reduced voltage.

Background: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used in nucleic acid tests of infectious diseases in point-of-care testing. Previous studies have demonstrated real-time PCR that uses a micro-PCR chip made of packing tape, double-sided tape, and a plastic cover with polycarbonate or polypropylene on a black matte printed circuit board substrate. Despite the success of DNA amplification and fluorescence detection using an early version of the micro-PCR chip, reaching the target temperature was fairly slow and, as a result, the total running time was getting longer.

Permanent magnet actuation for magnetic bead-based DNA extraction.

Background: Recently, automatic molecular diagnostic devices to extract DNA have been extensively developed using magnetic beads. While various methods can be applied to the control of the beads, the efficiency of the control when incorporated in automatic devices has not been studied. This paper proposes a compact magnet actuation method for the control of magnetic beads for DNA extraction, and compares the efficiency to the already available magnetic bead-based DNA extraction device.

A method of inferring the relationship between Biomedical entities through correlation analysis on text.

Background: One of the most important processes in a machine learning-based natural language processing is to represent words. The one-hot representation that has been commonly used has a large size of vector and assumes that the features that make up the vector are independent of each other. On the other hand, it is known that word embedding has a great effect in estimating the similarity between words because it expresses the meaning of the word well.