Highly Efficient and Durable Ammonia Electrolysis Cell Using Zirfon Separator.

Most studies on ammonia electrolysis have focused on anion exchange membranes (AEMs), which face limitations in operating conditions, such as pH and ammonia concentration. This study introduces a novel concept of an ammonia electrolysis cell (AEC) utilizing a Zirfon separator capable of operating under high pH and ammonia concentrations. The Zirfon-based AECs achieve a peak current density of 915 mA cm, representing the highest reported value in AEC literature.

Selenium induces mercury isotope fractionation and detoxification in marine fish.

Prey fish are vital in transferring nutrients and contaminants from lower to higher trophic levels. Although the role of selenium (Se) on mercury (Hg) detoxification has been identified in marine mammals and seabirds, the metabolic pathways of Hg-Se interaction in fish remain unknown. We used Hg stable isotopes (δ202Hg, Δ199Hg) to characterize the internal dynamics of methylmercury (MeHg) and inorganic Hg (IHg) in the presence and absence of Se in juvenile olive flounders (Paralichthys olivaceus).

The Role of Knowledge and Personal Experience in Shaping Stigma Associated With COVID-19 and Mental Illness.

Objective: Stigma influences perceptions of mental illness and novel diseases like coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), often impeding healthcare access despite advancements in medical treatment. This study compares the stigma associated with COVID-19 and mental illness to identify factors that could help reduce stigma.

Methods: An online survey was conducted in May 2023 among 1,500 participants aged 19 to 65 in South Korea, using a panel from Embrain, an online survey service.

A New Agenda for Optimizing Roles and Infrastructure in a Mental Health Service Model for South Korea.

Objective: As the demand for community mental health services continues to grow, the need for well-equipped and organized services has become apparent. This study aimed to optimize the roles and infrastructure of mental health services, by establishing, among other initiatives, standardized operating models.

Methods: The study was conducted in multiple phases from May 12, 2021, to December 29, 2021.

The microsurgical infratentorial supracerebellar approach for lesions of the pineal gland: feasibility, morbidity, and functional outcomes from a single-center experience.

Pineal gland lesions pose a significant surgical challenge due to the deep-seated nature of the pineal gland, as well as the limited field of view, and the complex vascular anatomy. The mainstay of surgical treatment, when necessary, is always histopathological clarity and gross total resection (GTR). We evaluate the surgical outcomes for pineal gland lesions, shedding light on functional outcomes, histological findings, and surgical complications.

Superloaded Multiplexed scRNA-seq Data Preserves Primary Immune Cell Heterogeneity but Necessitates Stringent Doublet Removal.

Background: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has improved our ability to characterize rare cell populations. In practice, cells from different tissues or donors are simultaneously loaded onto the instrument (multiplexed) at the recommended (standard loading) or higher (superloading) numbers to save time and money. Although cost-effective, superloading can stymie computational analyses owing to high multiplet rates and sample complexity.

Ginsenoside-Re-rich ethanol extract of Panax ginseng berry enhances healthspan extension via mitostasis and NAD metabolism.

Background: Ginseng Berry Concentrate (GBC) enhances exercise capacity in mice, but the effects of its key component, ginsenoside Re (G-Re), on aging and mitochondrial function are not well understood. This study investigates the impact of G-Re on mitophagy and its potential to promote healthy aging.

Methods: Experiments in C2C12 myocytes and HeLa-mitoKeima-PARKIN cells assessed GBC and G-Re's effects on mitophagy, supported by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis.

Can the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases be predicted more accurately by including lifestyle data? An exploratory study for data-driven prediction of COVID-19 cases in metropolitan cities using deep learning models.

Objective: The COVID-19 outbreak has significantly impacted human lifestyles and life patterns. Therefore, data related to human social life may tell us the increase or decrease in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. However, although the number of confirmed cases is affected by social life, it is difficult to find studies that attempt to predict the number of confirmed cases using various lifestyle data.

Effectiveness of room-of-error interventions for healthcare providers: a systematic review.

Background: Patient safety incidents are recognized as significant contributors to patient mortality, thus demanding immediate attention and strategic interventions in healthcare systems. The room-of-error education program serves as a solution, as it provides a case-based learning platform allowing nursing students to identify and resolve medical errors within a controlled environment systematically. This study aimed to identify the context, mechanisms, and outcomes of room-of-error training programs.

Rare Variant Analyses in Ancestrally Diverse Cohorts Reveal Novel ADHD Risk Genes.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder, but its genetic architecture remains incompletely characterized. Rare coding variants, which can profoundly impact gene function, represent an underexplored dimension of ADHD risk. In this study, we analyzed large-scale DNA sequencing datasets from ancestrally diverse cohorts and observed significant enrichment of rare protein-truncating and deleterious missense variants in highly evolutionarily constrained genes.

Cardiovascular disease risk in Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus compared to diabetes mellitus and the general population.

To evaluate the incidence and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) comparing them to diabetes patients and the general population. This nationwide cohort study focused on incident SLE patients aged over 40 years, matched with diabetes patients and the general population (1:4:4 ratio). CVD was defined as ischaemic heart disease, ischaemic stroke, and cardiac arrest.

Developmental deficits, synapse and dendritic abnormalities in a Clcn4 KO autism mice model: endophenotypic target for ASD.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is linked to ion channel dysfunction, including chloride voltage-gated channel-4 (CLCN4). We generated Clcn4 knockout (KO) mice by deleting exon 5 of chromosome 7 in the C57BL/6 mice. Clcn4 KO exhibited reduced social interaction and increased repetitive behaviors assessed using three-chamber and marble burying tests.

Hydrolysate Mitigates Muscle Dysfunction and Ectopic Fat Deposition Triggered by a High-Fat Diet in Mice.

Background/objectives: Obesity is a key factor in metabolic syndrome (MetS) development. Consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) accelerates the onset of obesity and associated metabolic complications. (PB) has been traditionally utilized in Korean medicine for its antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anticancer, and hepatoprotective effects.

Preamble Design and Noncoherent ToA Estimation for Pulse-Based Wireless Networks-on-Chip Communications in the Terahertz Band.

The growing demand for high-speed data transfer and ultralow latency in wireless networks-on-chips (WiNoC) has spurred exploration into innovative communication paradigms. Recent advancements highlight the potential of the terahertz (THz) band, a largely untapped frequency range, for enabling ultrafast tera-bit-per-second links in chip multiprocessors. However, the ultrashort duration of THz pulses, often in the femtosecond range, makes synchronization a critical challenge, as even minor timing errors can cause significant data loss.

Fc-binding nanodisc restores antiviral efficacy of antibodies with reduced neutralizing effects against evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Passive antibody therapies, typically administered via parenteral routes, have played a crucial role in the initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has revealed significant limitations of this approach, primarily due to mutational escape and the inadequate delivery of antibodies to the upper respiratory tract. To overcome these challenges, we propose a novel prophylactic strategy involving the intranasal delivery of an antibody in combination with an Fc-binding nanodisc.

Arthroscopic Microdrilling for Full-thickness Trochlear Cartilage Defects in Patients Undergoing High Tibial Osteotomy Confers Improved Cartilage Status at 1 year and Rate of Minimal Clinically Important Difference at Short-term Follow-up.

Purpose: To compare the patient-reported outcome improvements and cartilage status of trochlear cartilage defects (TCDs) after additional arthroscopic microdrilling versus no treatment for TCDs during medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy(MOWHTO) METHODS: Patients who underwent MOWHTO with either microdrilling (Group M) or no treatment (Group N) for near full-thickness TCDs (International Cartilage Repair Society[ICRS] grade≥3B) from March 2010 to September 2022 were retrospectively reviewed, with a minimum 2-year follow-up. 1:1 Propensity score matched-Group N was created. Comparative analyses were conducted using patient-reported outcomes(PROs) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID).

Recent Advances in Biosensors Using Enzyme-Stabilized Gold Nanoclusters.

Recently, gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have been widely used in biological applications due to their ultrasmall size, ranging within a few nanometers; large specific surface area; easy functionalization; unique fluorescence properties; and excellent conductivity. However, because they are unstable in solution, AuNCs require stabilization by using ligands such as dendrimers, peptides, DNA, and proteins. As a result, the properties of AuNCs and their formation are determined by the ligand, so the selection of the ligand is important.

Traditional herbal medicine for Guillain-Barré syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rapid-onset disease caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system. Since most standardized treatments for GBS focus on acute phase treatment, there are limitations to the rehabilitation and management of general conditions. In East Asian countries, herbal medicine has been used to treat GBS and aid rehabilitation.

Inhibitory Effects of Compounds Isolated from L. (Noni) Seeds against Particulate Matter-Induced Injury.

L. (noni) is native to the tropical and semitropical areas and has been commercially available in health food stores and chain grocery stores specializing in natural foods, recently. Noni seeds are discarded as waste products through the industrial production of noni juice even though their bioactivity components might be a potential source of functional foods.

Facial Skin Quality Improvement After Treatment With CPM-HA20G: Clinical Experience in Korea.

Background: Intradermal injection of CPM-HA20G, a low-viscoelasticity hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal filler with glycerol, has been shown to be effective for facial rejuvenation in Caucasians, but research in Asians is limited.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CPM-HA20G in enhancing facial skin quality in Korean women using a protocol developed by local aesthetic experts.

Patients/methods: In this 24-week prospective, single-arm, open-label study, 20 women received CPM-HA20G injections in the immediate subdermal layer on the anterior cheek (1 mL per side; total 2 mL) in three sessions every 4 weeks.

Cancer incidence and the influence of immunosuppressive agents in Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: To investigate cancer incidence and the potential influence of immunosuppressive agents in Korean systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis utilizing data from the Korea Healthcare Bigdata Linked Platform, which integrated the National Central Cancer Registry and National Health Insurance Service databases covering the period 2008-2017. Incidence rates (IRs) per 10,000 person-years (PYs) for site-specific cancers of SLE patients were calculated using ICD-O-3 codes.

Low intensity focused ultrasound stimulation in stroke: A phase I safety & feasibility trial.

Objective: We aimed to determine the maximum safe spatial-peak pulse-average intensity (I) of low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation (LIFUS) in stroke patients and explore its effect on motor learning and corticospinal excitability.

Methods: We adopted the classic 3 + 3 design to escalate I (estimated in-vivo transcranial value) from 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, to 8 W/cm. Stopping rules were pre-defined: 2-degree scalp burn, clinical seizure, new lesion on diffusion-weighted imaging or major reduction in apparent diffusion coefficient, and participant discontinuation due to any reason.

A Bioengineered Model of the Human Cornea for Preclinical Assessment of Human Ocular Exposure to Environmental Toxicants.

Here a bioengineered platform is introduced to investigate adverse effects of environmental materials on the human cornea. Using primary cells, this system is capable of reproducing the differentiated corneal epithelium and its underlying stroma in the human eye, which can then be treated with externally applied solid, liquid, or gaseous substances in a controlled manner and under physiologically relevant conditions. The proof-of-principle of how this system can be used to simulate human ocular exposure to different classes of environmental toxicants for direct visualization and quantitative analysis of their potential to induce acute corneal injury and inflammation is demonstrated.

Comparison of body composition change, measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis, between singleton and twin pregnancy: A prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To determine the difference of body composition change measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) between singleton and twin pregnancy.

Study Design: A prospective study was performed in pregnant women admitted to maternal-fetal intensive care unit in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from June to August 2023. Twenty one patients were enrolled (9 singleton and 12 twin pregnancies) and underwent BIA at the admission.