Deployable electronics with enhanced fatigue resistance for crumpling and tension.

Highly packable and deployable electronics offer a variety of advantages in electronics and robotics by facilitating spatial efficiency. These electronics must endure extreme folding during packaging and tension to maintain a rigid structure in the deployment state. Here, we present foldable and robustly deployable electronics inspired by Plantago, characterized by their tolerance to folding and tension due to integration of tough veins within thin leaf.

Melanoma detection, treatment, survival, and mortality through year 2 of the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the timely diagnosis and treatment of many cancers, including melanoma, the fifth most common cancer in the U.S. This study aimed to quantify the disruption and recovery of melanoma detection, treatment, survival, and mortality during the pandemic by analyzing data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program from 2000 to 2021.

Analysis of Changes in Viral Load and Inflammatory Cytokines, as Well as the Occurrence of Secondary Infections, in SFTS Patients Treated with Specific Treatments: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an acute febrile illness caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV). We conducted this study to propose a scientific evidence-based treatment that can improve prognosis through changes in viral load and inflammatory cytokines according to the specific treatment of SFTS patients. This prospective and observational study was conducted at 14 tertiary referral hospitals, which are located in SFTS endemic areas in Korea, from 1 May 2018 to 31 October 2020.

Persistence of in Patients with Bacteremia: Incidence, Clinical and Microbiologic Characters, and Outcomes.

The risk factors and outcomes associated with persistent bacteremia are not well-defined. This retrospective cohort study analyzed 214 cases of bacteremia diagnosed between 2005 and 2022 at two university hospitals, focusing on the clinical and microbiologic characteristics and outcomes of persistent bacteremia. Persistent bacteremia, defined as the detection of for ≥5 days after the initial blood culture, occurred in 25.

Aging with HIV: The Burden of Comorbidities, Polypharmacy, and Drug Interactions in Korean People Living with HIV Aged ≥50 Years.

Background: The life expectancy of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) has significantly improved with advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, aging PLWH face a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), polypharmacy, and drug-drug interactions (DDIs), which pose challenges in their management. This study investigates the prevalence of NCDs, polypharmacy, and DDIs among PLWH aged ≥50 years in Korea and their impact on quality of life (QOL).

12-year cumulative incidence rate of rare retinal diseases: a nationwide study in Korea.

Purpose: Understanding the incidence of rare diseases is important in establishing a proper public health care system and setting target diseases in medical research. Herein, we report the 12-year cumulative incidence of seven rare ocular diseases of the retina in South Korea.

Methods: We analysed clinical records of 1,126,250 South Korean population during 2006~2019.

Protocol to detect neutral lipids with BODIPY staining in myeloid-derived suppressor cells in mouse mammary tumors.

Neutral lipids affect the immunosuppressive function of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Here, we present a protocol for measuring neutral lipids in MDSCs using BODIPY from mouse mammary tumor derived from triple-negative breast cancer cells, 4T1, which is applicable to other mammary tumors of interest. We describe steps for 4T1 cell culture, single-cell isolation from tumors, staining of cells with antibodies and BODIPY, and flow cytometry.

Comparison of clinical characteristics and outcomes in candidaemia patients with and without COVID-19: a multicentre retrospective study.

Background: Invasive fungal infections have been reported as complications with significant mortality and morbidity in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of candidaemia patients with COVID-19 and to investigate the association between COVID-19 and mortality in candidaemia patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included candidaemia patients aged 18 years or older admitted to four university-affiliated tertiary hospitals in South Korea between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022.

Ocular adnexal lymphoma - A single-center observational study of survival outcomes.

Purpose: This study aims to comprehensively characterize the clinical, demographic, and histopathological features of ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL) and assess their impact on patients' survival outcomes.

Methods: A total of 123 patients were included in the study; of these, 93 patients were selected for survival analysis. Survival data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier test, and correlation was assessed through the log-rank test and Cox regression analysis.

Accurate predictions of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity from comprehensive analysis.

An unprecedented amount of SARS-CoV-2 data has been accumulated compared with previous infectious diseases, enabling insights into its evolutionary process and more thorough analyses. This study investigates SARS-CoV-2 features as it evolved to evaluate its infectivity. We examined viral sequences and identified the polarity of amino acids in the receptor binding motif (RBM) region.

Complete or incomplete revascularization in patients with left main culprit lesion acute myocardial infarction with multivessel disease: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Complete revascularization has demonstrated better outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and multivessel disease. However, in the case of left main (LM) culprit lesion AMI with multivessel disease, there is limited evidence to suggest that complete revascularization is better.

Methods: We reviewed 16,831 patients in the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry who were treated from July 2016 to June 2020, and 399 patients were enrolled with LM culprit lesion AMI treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic segmental volume analysis: a quantitative and objective tool for assessing regional left ventricle wall motion in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Background: Evaluation of regional left ventricle function using two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) in patients with ischemic heart disease has limitations due to its low objectivity and qualitative nature. In addition, 2DE is limited because multiple acoustic windows are used to obtain the image, whereas three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) uses a single window. This study aims to demonstrate the clinical utility of 3DE segmental volume analysis for evaluating regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA).

Inhibition of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore as a promising target for protecting auditory function in cisplatin-induced hearing loss.

mPTP is a multi-protein complex that opens in mitochondria during cell death. Cisplatin-induced hearing loss is also known to be caused by mPTP opening. Thus, our study evaluated the protective effect of a novel mPTP inhibitor named DBP-iPT against cisplatin-induced hearing loss.

Serotype distribution and clinical characteristics of Group B Streptococcus Bacteremia in nonpregnant adults: a 15-Year Multicenter Study in Korea.

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteremia in nonpregnant adults is of increasing concern, particularly among the elderly in underlying conditions. This study analyzed the serotype distribution, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and clinical characteristics of GBS bacteremia in nonpregnant adults over a 15-year period in two tertiary hospitals in Korea.

Methods: From 2007 to 2021, patients aged ≥ 19 years with GBS bacteremia were identified via retrospective electronic medical record review.

Disruptions in Lung Cancer Detection During COVID-19.

To quantify the extent of the disruption and recovery of lung cancer detection during the first two years of the pandemic, focusing on disparities across demographic and community factors. This retrospective cohort study used the SEER database to identify lung cancer cases from 2001 to 2021. Expected incidence rates for 2020 and 2021 were projected based on pre-pandemic trends (2000-2019) using the NCI's Joinpoint Regression program.

Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae in small-breed dogs: Prevalence, classification, and characteristics.

The lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LTV) is an abnormally formed vertebra that can be associated with cauda equina syndrome, lumbosacral (LS) degeneration, and pelvic rotation. However, there is little information on LTV in small-breed dogs, and no studies have investigated the association between LTV and LS diseases or degenerative changes in the coxofemoral joints. The purpose of this multicenter, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of LTV in small-breed dogs (<10 kg), classify the type of LTV, and identify its association with degenerative changes in the LS and coxofemoral joints using CT images.

Intratumoral delivery of mRNA encoding the endogenous TLR2/6 agonist UNE-C1 induces immunogenic cell death and enhances antitumor activity.

Introduction: Recent investigations have highlighted the intratumoral administration of Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands as a promising approach to initiate localized immune responses and enhance antitumor immunity. However, the clinical application of these ligands is limited by their rapid dissemination from the tumor microenvironment, raising concerns about reduced effectiveness and systemic toxicity.

Methods: To address these challenges, our study focused on the intratumoral delivery of mRNA encoding UNE-C1, a TLR2/6 ligand known for its efficacy and low toxicity profile.

Comparative analysis of air permeability between UHPC and epoxy-coated normal concrete for hyperloop tube structures.

This study evaluates the air permeability of epoxy-coated normal concrete and ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) for use in Hyperloop tube structures, where maintaining ultra-low air permeability is crucial to preserving the vacuum environment. While UHPC is recognized for its exceptionally low permeability due to its dense microstructure, this research explores epoxy-coated conventional concrete as a cost-effective alternative. Using a vacuum-based permeability test simulating Hyperloop's near-vacuum conditions, the study found that epoxy-coated concrete significantly reduced air permeability compared to uncoated concrete, with specimens coated on both sides approaching near-zero permeability.

Effect of fathers in Preemie Prep for Parents (P3) program on couple's preterm birth preparedness.

Objective: Evaluate the effect of fathers' participation in the Preemie Prep for Parents (P3) program on maternal learning and fathers' preterm birth knowledge.

Methods: Mothers with preterm birth predisposing medical condition(s) enrolled with or without the baby's father and were randomized to the P3 intervention (text-messages linking to animated videos) or control (patient education webpages). Parent Prematurity Knowledge Questionnaire assessed knowledge, including unmarried fathers' legal neonatal decision-making ability.

Beta-blockers after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction and non-reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Background: Data on the clinical impact of beta-blockers (BBs) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) who had non-reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after percutaneous coronary intervention are limited.

Methods: From 2016 to 2020, we evaluated a cohort of 12,101 myocardial infarction patients with a non-reduced LVEF (≥40%) from the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry V. Patients were divided into two groups based on their BB (carvedilol, bisoprolol, or nebivolol) treatment at discharge: with beta-blocker treatment (BB,  = 9,468) and without beta-blocker treatment (non-BB,  = 2,633).

Long-Term Aspirin vs Clopidogrel After Coronary Stenting by Bleeding Risk and Procedural Complexity.

Importance: Antiplatelet monotherapy in the chronic maintenance period for patients with high bleeding risk (HBR) and those who have undergone complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not yet been explored.

Objective: To compare clopidogrel vs aspirin monotherapy in patients with HBR and/or PCI complexity.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This post hoc analysis of the multicenter HOST-EXAM Extended study, an open-label trial conducted across 37 sites in South Korea, enrolled patients from 2014 to 2018 with up to 5.