Comparative Analysis of Outcomes in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients with Proximal Junctional Kyphosis or Failure Initially Fused to Upper Versus Lower Thoracic Spine.

Patients with proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) or failure (PJF) may demonstrate disparate outcomes and recovery when fused to the upper (UT) versus lower (LT) thoracic spine. Few studies have distinguished the reoperation and recovery abilities of patients with PJK or PJF when fused to the upper (UT) versus lower (LT) thoracic spine. Adult spine deformity patients ≥ 18 yrs with preoperative and 5-year (5Y) data fused to the sacrum/pelvis were included.

Experience of Metronidazole Triple Therapy After Clarithromycin Triple Therapy Failure for Eradication in Korea.

Bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) is recommended as the best second-line regimen after failure of first-line clarithromycin triple therapy (CTT) for eradication. However, there are some limitations to this approach, including the lack of an appropriate sequel regimen after failure of BQT and complicated administration. Metronidazole triple therapy (MTT) is simple to administer, but it is not widely recommended.

A Machine Learning-Based Decision Support System for the Prognostication of Neurological Outcomes in Successfully Resuscitated Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients.

This study uses machine learning and multicenter registry data for analyzing the determinants of a favorable neurological outcome in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and developing decision support systems for various subgroups. The data came from the Korean Cardiac Arrest Research Consortium registry, with 2679 patients who underwent OHCA aged 18 or above with the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The dependent variable was a favorable neurological outcome (Cerebral Performance Category score 1-2), and 68 independent variables were included, e.

Gut Microbiota Regulates the Homeostasis of Dendritic Epidermal T Cells.

Dendritic epidermal T cells (DETCs) are a γδ T cell subset residing in the skin epidermis. Although they have been known for decades, the fate of DETCs has largely remained enigmatic. Recent studies have highlighted the relationship between the gut microbiome and γδ T cells in various epithelial and non-epithelial tissues, such as the small intestine, lung, liver, gingiva, and testis.

Identification of Novel Inhibitors of Starch Excess 4 (SEX4).

This study identified several inhibitors of Starch Excess 4 (SEX4), an enzyme in plants' starch decomposition. Our research aims to inhibit starch breakdown by SEX4 with its potential to significantly impact food security, leading to starch accumulation in plants such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and significant crops like grains and rice. We recognized potential candidates by screening approximately 1840 chemical compounds using the phosphatase assay against NPP.

Comparative Analysis of Gut Microbiota in Humans Living with and Without Companion Animals.

Cohabitation with companion animals (CAs) has been suggested as a significant modifier of gut microbial diversity. This study investigated the influence of cohabitation with CAs on human gut microbiota composition. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we analyzed the gut microbiota of 20 families with CAs (40 adults, 20 children) and 20 families without CAs (40 adults, 20 children).

Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes Based on Changes in Glycosylated Hemoglobin Levels During First and Second Trimesters of Pregnancy in Women with Pregestational Diabetes: Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort Study in South Korea.

This study compared glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy and assessed maternal and neonatal outcomes according to HbA1c variations among women with pregestational diabetes. This retrospective, multicenter Korean study involved mothers with diabetes who had given birth in 17 hospitals. A total of 292 women were divided into three groups based on HbA1c levels during the first and second trimesters: women with HbA1c levels maintained at <6.

Anatomical Analysis of Bicipital Groove and Its Spur Formation Using 3D-CT: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Concomitant long head of biceps (LHB) pathologies commonly occur with rotator cuff tears, but LHB problems are often underestimated. There is a lack of studies on the correlation between bicipital groove morphology and biceps pathology, as well as the significance of bony spurs around the groove. This study analyzed the anatomical parameters of the bicipital groove and spur formation using 3D-CT in 111 patients.

Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Schwann Cell-like Cells Spared Neuromuscular Junctions and Enhanced Functional Recovery After Peripheral Nerve Injury.

In general, the nerve cells of the peripheral nervous system regenerate normally within a certain period after the physical damage of their axon. However, when peripheral nerves are transected by trauma or tissue extraction for cancer treatment, spontaneous nerve regeneration cannot occur. Therefore, it is necessary to perform microsurgery to connect the transected nerve directly or insert a nerve conduit to connect it.

GRPR Drives Metastasis via CRABP2 and FNDC4 Pathways in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Metastasis is a leading cause of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD)-related mortality and presents significant challenges for treatment. The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family, has an unclear role in LUAD progression. This study aimed to investigate the function and underlying mechanisms of GRPR in LUAD metastasis.

NEK2 Phosphorylates RhoGDI1 to Promote Cell Proliferation, Migration and Invasion Through the Activation of RhoA and Rac1 in Colon Cancer Cells.

Rho guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor 1 (RhoGDI1) plays a critical role in regulating the activity of Rho guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases). Phosphorylation of RhoGDI1 dynamically modulates the activation of Rho GTPases, influencing cell proliferation and migration. This study explored the involvement of Never In Mitosis A (NIMA)-related serine/threonine protein kinase 2 (NEK2) in phosphorylating RhoGDI1 and its implications in cancer cell behavior associated with tumor progression.

Elevated IL-6 Expression in Autologous Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Regulates RANKL Mediated Inflammation in Osteoarthritis.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to play a pivotal role in modulating cartilage regeneration and immune responses, particularly in the context of diseases that involve both degenerative processes and inflammation, such as osteoarthritis (OA). However, the precise mechanism through which IL-6 and other immune-regulatory factors influence the therapeutic efficacy of autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) transplantation in OA treatment remains to be fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the relationship between IL-6 expression in autologous ASCs isolated from OA patients and their impact on immune modulation, particularly focusing on the regulation of Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor Kappa-Β Ligand (RANKL), a key mediator of immune-driven cartilage degradation in OA.

Relaxation Behavior of Cerclage Cables and Its Effect on Bone Clamping Force.

Cerclage is an orthopedic surgical fixation technique using a cable wrapped, tensioned, and secured around a bone's circumference. It is important to minimize the loss in cable tension that often occurs due to stress relaxation. The purpose of this work was to study the effect of tensioning protocols on the long-term loss of tension due to stress relaxation.

Mechanical Stretch Control of Adipocyte AKT Signaling and the Role of FAK and ROCK Mechanosensors.

Adipose tissue in vivo is physiologically exposed to compound mechanical loading due to bodyweight bearing, posture, and motion. The capability of adipocytes to sense and respond to mechanical loading milieus to influence metabolic functions may provide a new insight into obesity and metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we evidenced physiological mechanical loading control of adipocyte insulin signaling cascades.

Personalized Game-Based Content and Performance: A Pilot Study on a Digital Intervention for Children with ADHD.

Mobile-based digital interventions for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been developed to alleviate their symptoms. When developing mobile game-based digital interventions for ADHD treatment, it is important to research how the emotional responses of the target audience members-based on flashy visuals or difficulty adjustments to motivate the user-affect their content manipulation ability. This study performed a correlation analysis to examine the impact of perceived difficulty and enjoyment (interest) on the performance of children diagnosed with ADHD while engaging in game-based digital content.

The Classification of Metastatic Spine Cancer and Spinal Compression Fractures by Using CNN and SVM Techniques.

Metastatic spine cancer can cause pain and neurological issues, making it challenging to distinguish from spinal compression fractures using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To improve diagnostic accuracy, this study developed artificial intelligence (AI) models to differentiate between metastatic spine cancer and spinal compression fractures in MRI images. MRI data from Gyeongsang National University Hospital, collected from January 2019 to April 2022, were processed using Otsu's binarization and Canny edge detection algorithms.

An Observational Study on the Prediction of Range of Motion in Soldiers Diagnosed with Patellar Tendinopathy Using Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography.

Introduction: This study hypothesized that changes in the elasticity of the quadriceps and patellar tendons before and after the diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy would correlate with the range of motion (ROM) following conservative treatment. We aimed to prospectively assess post-treatment ROM using multinomial logistic regression, incorporating elasticity measurements obtained via shear wave elastography (SWE).

Materials And Methods: From March 2023 to April 2024, 95 patients (86 men; aged 20-45 years, mean 25.

The Interplay Between Muscular Activity and Pattern Recognition of Electro-Stimulated Haptic Cues During Normal Walking: A Pilot Study.

This pilot study explored how muscle activation influences the pattern recognition of tactile cues delivered using electrical stimulation (ES) during each 10% window interval of the normal walking gait cycle (GC). Three healthy adults participated in the experiment. After identifying the appropriate threshold, ES as the haptic cue was applied to the gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and biceps brachii (BB) of participants walking on a treadmill.

A Comparison of Contractile Properties and Acute Muscle Fatigue Response in Adult Females with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain.

This study examined the erector spinae contractile properties, trunk isokinetic strength, and differences in acute muscle fatigue response after exercise in young females with and without non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). This study evaluated participants using tensiomyography and isokinetic trunk strength tests. An independent -test compared the control group and the NSCLBP group, while a two-way mixed ANOVA analyzed differences in the erector spinae's acute muscle fatigue response before and after exercise within and between groups.

Low-Intensity Continuous Ultrasound Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Curcumin-Encapsulated Exosomes Derived from Hypoxic Liver Cancer Cells via Homotropic Drug Delivery Systems.

Exosomes are extracellular nanovesicles secreted by cells that efficiently deliver therapeutic cargo for cancer treatment. However, because exosomes are present in low quantities and have limited target specificity, internal and external stress stimulation has been studied to increase exosome efficiency. Inspired by these studies, the uptake efficiency of cobalt chloride-induced hypoxic cancer cell-secreted exosomes was evaluated.

Efficacy of Novel Digital-Based Surgical Guide in the Limited Interocclusal Distance.

Accurate implant placement is essential for achieving successful outcomes. To aid in this, digitally designed surgical guides have been introduced. Both closed-sleeve and open-sleeve designs are commonly utilized.

Game-Based Digital Interventions for Enhancing Positive Development and Addressing Substance Use in Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

This study systematically reviewed research on the use of digital game approaches for the prevention, assessment, and treatment of substance use and positive development in adolescents. : This study aimed to identify and summarize gaps in the published literature on game-based digital interventions for substance use and positive development for adolescents through a systematic review. : Following PRISMA guidelines, 26 studies were selected for final analysis from an initial screening of 1601 references.

Bioactivity Evaluation and Phytochemical Characterization of (Thunb.) Siebold Leaf Extract.

Background: () has traditionally been used for medicinal purposes, and its leaves are considered edible. While is known for its diverse biological activities, the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects of its leaves extracted using different solvents have not been thoroughly investigated.

Methods: This study examined the antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, and life-prolonging effects of () leaf extract.

The Effect of Increasing the Body's Core Temperature and Improving Blood Flow by Using Far-Infrared Rays Emitted from Functional Loess Bio-Balls.

Background: Low-energy far-infrared rays (FIRs) are widely used in the treatment of wounds, lymphedema, and various vascular diseases, and various types of products that emit infrared rays are being used at home for patients with blood flow-related diseases without experimental evidence.

Methods: Blood flow and epidermal temperature were measured while applying conductive heat and FIRs via an electric mat (non-intervention) or a loess bio-ball mat (intervention).

Results: In the control group ( = 30), there was a minimal change in blood flow and epidermal temperature in the right and left middle fingers (LMF, RMF) as the mat temperature gradually increased.

GABALAGEN Alleviates Stress-Induced Sleep Disorders in Rats.

(1) Background: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid and the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA has been shown to reduce stress and promote sleep. GABALAGEN (GBL) is the product of fermented fish collagen by Lactobacillus brevis BJ20 and Lactobacillus plantarum BJ21, naturally enriched with GABA through the fermentation process and characterized by low molecular weight.