Switching to Besifovir in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Receiving Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate: A Randomized Trial.

Background/aims: Besifovir (BSV) showed comparable antiviral activity superior safety profiles to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, no data are available regarding the antiviral efficacy and safety of BSV in patients with CHB who switched from long-term TDF to BSV. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of a 48-week BSV therapy in patients with CHB who switched from long-term TDF treatment.

Cost burden of productivity loss due to sickness presenteeism among nurses in South Korea: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: This study aimed to estimate the annual cost burden of productivity loss due to sickness presenteeism among hospital nurses in South Korea.

Background: Despite nurses being potentially more vulnerable to presenteeism, few studies have analyzed nurses' productivity losses due to sickness presenteeism.

Methods: This cross-sectional study employed an online survey in January 2023 with 607 nurses working in general/tertiary hospitals in South Korea.

Conversion Therapy for Stage IV Gastric Cancer: Report From the Expert Consensus Meeting at KINGCA WEEK 2024.

Conversion therapy is a treatment strategy that shifts from palliative systemic therapy to curative surgical treatment for primary and/or metastatic stage IV gastric cancer (GC). To address its clinical statements, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association aims to present a consensus on conversion therapy among experts attending KINGCA WEEK 2024. The KINGCA Scientific Committee and Development Working Group for Korean Practice Guidelines prepared preformulated topics and 9 clinical statements for conversion therapy.

Korean Practice Guidelines for Gastric Cancer 2024: An Evidence-based, Multidisciplinary Approach (Update of 2022 Guideline).

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers in both Korea and worldwide. Since 2004, the Korean Practice Guidelines for Gastric Cancer have been regularly updated, with the 4th edition published in 2022. The 4th edition was the result of a collaborative work by an interdisciplinary team, including experts in gastric surgery, gastroenterology, endoscopy, medical oncology, abdominal radiology, pathology, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, and guideline development methodology.

Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Treatment Selectively Stimulates Senescent Cells to Promote SASP Factors for Immune Cell Recruitment.

As emerging therapeutic strategies for aging and age-associated diseases, various biochemical approaches have been developed to selectively remove senescent cells, but how physical stimulus influences senescent cells and its possible application in senolytic therapy has not been reported yet. Here we developed a physical method to selectively stimulate senescent cells via low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) treatment. LIPUS stimulation did not affect the cell cycle, but selectively enhanced secretion of specific cytokines in senescent cells, known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), resulting in enhanced migration of monocytes/macrophages and upregulation of phagocytosis of senescent cells by M1 macrophage.

Reversible phase transition and tunable band gap in zinc telluride induced by acoustic shock exposure.

In this study, Zinc Telluride (ZnTe) was subjected to acoustic shock waves with a Mach number of 1.5, transient pressure of 0.59 MPa, and a temperature of 520 K to analyze its stability against shock wave impact.

Development and Clinical Validation of Model-Informed Precision Dosing for Everolimus in Liver Transplant Recipients.

Everolimus presents significant dosing challenges due to between- and within-patient pharmacokinetic variabilities. This study aimed to develop and validate a model-informed precision dosing strategy for everolimus in liver transplant recipients. The dosing strategy was initially developed using retrospective data, employing nonlinear mixed-effects modeling.

Axially multifocal metalens for 3D volumetric photoacoustic imaging of neuromelanin in live brain organoid.

Optical resolution photoacoustic imaging of uneven samples without z-scanning is transformative for the fast analysis and diagnosis of diseases. However, current approaches to elongate the depth of field (DOF) typically imply cumbersome postprocessing procedures, bulky optical element ensembles, or substantial excitation beam side lobes. Metasurface technology allows for the phase modulation of light and the miniaturization of imaging systems to wavelength-size thickness.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute Myocarditis: An Analysis of Korean Multicenter Registry.

Background And Objectives: Data are limited on the clinical manifestations and outcomes of acute myocarditis from a large-scale registry. We investigated acute myocarditis's clinical characteristics and prognosis from a large-scale, multi-center registry in the Republic of Korea.

Methods: We collected data from seven hospitals between 2001 and 2021.

Differential determinants and prognostic value of aortic valve sclerosis over carotid atherosclerosis.

Background: Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is a progressive atherosclerotic disease associated with future cardiovascular events (CVE). However, whether its development and prognostic value are independent of arterial atherosclerosis has not been thoroughly investigated. We evaluated the determinants and prognostic value of AVS in conjunction with carotid atherosclerosis.

Enhancement of renal fibrosis in PHF20 transgenic mice.

Plant homeodomain finger protein 20 (PHF20) plays a crucial role in various biological processes, but its involvement in renal fibrosis remains unclear. This study investigated the role of PHF20 in renal fibrosis using a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mouse model, a widely accepted model for chronic kidney disease. PHF20 transgenic (PHF20-TG) and wild-type (WT) mice were utilized to explore how PHF20 influences renal inflammation and fibrosis.

Major individual and regional variations in unit entrainment by oscillations of different frequencies.

In vitro studies have shown that a neuron's electroresponsive properties can predispose it to oscillate at specific frequencies. In contrast, network activity in vivo can entrain neurons to rhythms that their biophysical properties do not predispose them to favor. However, there is limited information on the comparative frequency profile of unit entrainment across brain regions.

Comparison of Open Microscopic and Biportal Endoscopic Approaches in Multi-Level Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy: Radiological and Clinical Outcomes.

This study compares clinical and radiological outcomes of open microscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) and biportal endoscopic spine surgery (BESS) PCF in multi-level cases. While BESS PCF is effective in single-level surgeries, its role in multi-level procedures remains unclear. : This retrospective cohort study included 60 patients treated for cervical radiculopathy from 2016 to 2023, divided into two groups, open microscopic PCF (Group M, = 30) and BESS PCF (Group B, = 30).

Impact of Edible Insect Polysaccharides on Mouse Gut Microbiota: A Study on White-Spotted Flower Chafer Larva () and Silkworm Pupa ().

The increasing global population and the environmental consequences of meat consumption have led to the exploration of alternative sources of protein. Edible insects have gained attention as a sustainable and nutritionally rich meat alternative. We investigated the effects of two commonly consumed insects, larva and pupa, on beneficial gut microbiota growth, using whole 16s metagenome sequencing to assess diet-associated changes.

Optimizing injection accuracy for Baxter's nerve entrapment: an ultrasonography-guided approach based on anatomical surface landmarks.

Introduction: The clinical feasibility and applicability of surface landmarks for Baxter nerve entrapment to proximal and distal sites is unclear. This study provides anatomical guidelines for optimal transducer placement using two specific landmarks, the most inferior tip of the medial malleolus (A) and the most protruding posterior tip of the calcaneus (B), to enhance the diagnostic and therapeutic injection efficacy for proximal and distal entrapment sites.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-six feet from 45 fresh cadavers (25 male and 20 female) were dissected to determine Baxter's nerve (BN) localization.

Ecological and Biological Studies of Two Larval Parasitoids on Two Vectors of the Pinewood Nematode in South Korea.

Pine wilt disease, caused by the pinewood nematode, affects , Siebold and Zucc., and Parl. in South Korea.

Efficacy of Fruit Extract in Hangover Mitigation: Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Evaluation.

The fruit of Thunb. (HD) is renowned for its medicinal properties and is rich in bioactive compounds, traditionally used in East Asian medicine as a natural antidote for alcohol intoxication. A randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo (PLA)-controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare the effects of beverages containing 0.

Clinical Evaluation of Extract Combinations for Effective Hangover Relief in Humans.

Alcohol consumption is associated with both short- and long-term adverse effects, including hangover symptoms. The objective of this study was to examine the potential benefits of traditional beverages containing a combination of extract (HD) with either extract (HDPB) or glutathione yeast extract (HDGB) in abbreviating alcohol intoxication and mitigating hangover symptoms. A total of 25 participants between the ages of 19 and 40 who had previously experienced a hangover were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo (PLA)-controlled clinical trial.

MicroRNA-150 Deletion from Adult Myofibroblasts Augments Maladaptive Cardiac Remodeling Following Chronic Myocardial Infarction.

MicroRNA (miR: small noncoding RNA)-150 is evolutionarily conserved and is downregulated in patients with diverse forms of heart failure (HF) and in multiple mouse models of HF. Moreover, miR-150 is markedly correlated with the outcome of patients with HF. We previously reported that systemic or cardiomyocyte-derived miR-150 in mice elicited myocardial protection through the inhibition of cardiomyocyte death, without affecting neovascularization and T cell infiltration.

Albumin-Bilirubin Grade as a Valuable Predictor of Recurrence and Prognosis in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Radiofrequency Ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an important local treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of tumor recurrence after RFA and analyze predictors of tumor recurrence and survival in patients with HCC. We retrospectively reviewed data from treatment-naïve patients with HCC who underwent RFA for HCC treatment between 2008 and 2017 at four tertiary hospitals in South Korea.

A Combined Extract from and Mitigates PM-Induced Respiratory Damage by NF-κB/TGF-β1 Pathway.

This research evaluated the protective role of a combined extract of and (DBZO) against respiratory dysfunction caused by particulate matter (PM) exposure in BALB/c mice. The bioactive compounds identified in the DBZO are catechin, astragalin, 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, and 6-shogaol. DBZO ameliorated cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in PM-stimulated A549 and RPMI 2650 cells.

Morphologic study of patent ductus arteriosus based on computed tomography data in 25 dogs.

Introduction: The objective of this study is to analyze the morphology and measurement dimensions of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) based on computed tomography images.

Methods: The present study retrospectively evaluated computed tomography angiography data from 25 client-owned dogs diagnosed with PDA. PDA was reconstructed based on the central axis and the minimum diameter, ampulla diameter, angle, ampulla cross-section area, and length values were measured at specific measurement sites.

Effects of Capsicum Oleoresin on the Energy Expenditure and Mitochondrial Content of Brown Adipose Tissue in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Capsicum oleoresin (CO) is a concentrated extract derived from peppers ( L.) containing capsaicin (the active compound responsible for its pungency) and other bioactive components. The present study aimed to determine whether CO affects the energy expenditure and mitochondrial content of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in diet-induced obese mice.

Fabricating ZnO@C composites based on shell-derived cellulose for high performance lithium-ion battery anodes.

In this study, shell-derived cellulose was successfully produced, and the hydrothermal method was employed to generate ZnO@C (ZOC) composites, which were then subjected to calcination in N gas at a temperature of 600 °C for varying durations. X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses demonstrated that the annealing duration had a substantial impact on the quantities of C and ZnO in the ZOC composites. The scanning electron microscope images indicated the presence of ZnO nanoparticles on the surface of the C phase and revealed a similar morphology among the ZOC composites.