Evaluation of Ocular Irritation Sensitivity: Implications of Clinical Parameters, Pain Sensitivity, and Tear Neuromediator Profiles.

Sensitivity to ocular irritation varies among individuals, being influenced by clinical, subjective, and biochemical factors. This study aimed to evaluate individual variability in ocular irritation sensitivity, focusing on clinical parameters, pain perception, and tear neuromediator profiles. Sixty female participants aged 20-40 were classified into high-sensitivity and low-sensitivity groups based on their response to an irritant (Tween20).

Therapeutic Effects of Human Placental Extracts Eye Drops in Experimental Dry Eye and Alkali Burn.

To evaluate the efficacy of human placental extract (HPE) eye drops compared to that of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and human peripheral blood serum (HPBS) eye drops in a mouse model of experimental dry eye (EDE) and corneal alkali burns. EDE and alkali burn models were induced in C57BL/6 mice using desiccating stress and NaOH, respectively. In both the EDE and alkali burn models, treatment groups received CMC, HPBS, or HPE eye drops.

Metagenomic Analysis Identifies Sex-Related Gut Microbial Functions and Bacterial Taxa Associated With Skeletal Muscle Mass.

Background: This study aimed to explore the association between gut microbiota functional profiles and skeletal muscle mass, focusing on sex-specific differences in a population under 65 years of age.

Methods: Stool samples from participants were analysed using metagenomic shotgun sequencing. Skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were quantified (SMI [%] = total appendage muscle mass [kg]/body weight [kg] × 100) using bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Efficacy of combined doxycycline and intense pulsed light therapy for the management of intractable recurrent chalazion.

Management of chalazion, characterized by noninfectious chronic granulomatous inflammation of the meibomian glands (MGs), remains challenging in ophthalmic practice, particularly because of its propensity for recurrence even after surgical intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the combined efficacy of doxycycline and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy for treating intractable recurrent chalazion, focusing on reducing recurrence rates and improving MG status. This retrospective study included patients with intractable recurrent chalazion refractory to conventional treatments including surgical intervention and antibiotics.

Depression, Anxiety and Associated Factors Among Korean Adolescent Students During COVID-19.

Objectives: Depression and anxiety are emotional difficulties that are common among adolescents. Adolescents suffering from depression and anxiety can exhibit problems such as antisocial behavior, aggression, and academic slump. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing adolescents' depression and anxiety during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Aspirin Monotherapy vs No Antiplatelet Therapy in Stable Patients With Coronary Stents Undergoing Low-to-Intermediate Risk Noncardiac Surgery.

Background: Current guidelines recommend the perioperative continuation of aspirin in patients with coronary drug-eluting stents (DES) undergoing noncardiac surgery. However, supporting evidence is limited.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare continuing aspirin monotherapy vs temporarily holding all antiplatelet therapy before noncardiac surgery in patients with previous DES implantation.

Nanoscale Graded Nitrogen-Doping of TiO via Pulsed Laser Deposition for Enhancing Charge Transfer in Perovskite Solar Cells.

An electron transport layer (ETL) for highly efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs) should exhibit superior electrical transport properties and have its band levels aligned with interfacing layers to ensure efficient extraction of photo-generated carriers. Nitrogen-doped TiO (TiO:N) is considered a promising ETL because it offers higher electrical conductivity compared to conventional ETLs made from spray-pyrolyzed TiO. However, the application of highly doped TiO:N in PSCs is often limited by the misalignment of energy band levels with adjacent layers and reduced optical transparency.

Navigating the Future of 3D Laparoscopic Liver Surgeries: Visualization of Internal Anatomy on Laparoscopic Images With Augmented Reality.

Introduction: Liver tumor resection requires precise localization of tumors and blood vessels. Despite advancements in 3-dimensional (3D) visualization for laparoscopic surgeries, challenges persist. We developed and evaluated an augmented reality (AR) system that overlays preoperative 3D models onto laparoscopic images, offering crucial support for 3D visualization during laparoscopic liver surgeries.

Comparison of arterial spin labeled MRI (ASL MRI) between ADHD and control group (ages of 6-12).

This study utilized arterial spin labeling-magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) to explore the developmental trajectory of brain activity associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Pulsed arterial spin labeling (ASL) data were acquired from 157 children with ADHD and 109 children in a control group, all aged 6-12 years old. Participants were categorized into the age groups of 6-7, 8-9, and 10-12, after which comparisons were performed between each age group for ASL analysis of cerebral blood flow (CBF).

Role of p57KIP2 in Stem and Progenitor Leydig Cells of Mouse Testes.

Purpose: Precise control of proliferation and differentiation of Leydig cells is important for gonadal androgenesis and spermatogenesis. Though cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors are crucial for cell proliferation and differentiation, their role in the development of early adult Leydig cells (ALCs) remained unanswered. To understand mechanism for ALC development, functional expression of p57KIP2 (cdkn1c) was investigated in the stem Leydig cells (SLCs) and progenitor Leydig cells (PLCs) in mice.

Sex-Specific Susceptibility Loci Associated With Coronary Artery Aneurysms in Patients With Kawasaki Disease.

Background And Objectives: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis that primarily affects children under age 5 years. Approximately 20-25% of untreated children with KD and 3-5% of those treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy develop coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs). The prevalence of CAAs is much higher in male than in female patients with KD, but the underlying factors contributing to susceptibility to CAAs in patients with KD remain unclear.

National trends of allergic diseases and pandemic-related factors among individuals with obesity in South Korea: A nationwide representative serial study, 2005-2021.

Background: Although obesity is known to be related to allergic diseases, few studies have investigated the prevalence of allergic diseases in individuals with obesity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study aimed to analyze national trends of allergic diseases among individuals with obesity and sociodemographic factors.

Methods: This study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine the prevalence of allergic diseases among individuals with obesity in South Korea from 2005 to 2021.

A Study on the Application of Recombinant Factor C (rFC) Assay Using Biopharmaceuticals.

Gram-negative bacterial endotoxins can cause pathophysiological effects such as high fever when introduced into the bloodstream. Therefore, endotoxin testing is necessary when producing injectable pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceutical industry has widely used amebocyte lysate (LAL) to certify product quality.

Patient-specific, deliverable, and self-expandable surgical guide development and evaluation using 4D printing for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Accurate lesion diagnosis through computed tomography (CT) and advances in laparoscopic or robotic surgeries have increased partial nephrectomy survival rates. However, accurately marking the kidney resection area through the laparoscope is a prevalent challenge. Therefore, we fabricated and evaluated a 4D-printed kidney surgical guide (4DP-KSG) for laparoscopic partial nephrectomies based on CT images.

New Korean Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Dry Eye Disease.

New Korean guidelines for the diagnosis and management of dry eye disease were developed based on literature reviews by the Korean Dry Eye Guideline Establishment Committee, a previous dry eye guideline by Korean Corneal Disease Study Group, a survey of Korean Dry Eye Society (KDES) members, and KDES consensus meetings. The new definition of dry eye was also proposed by KDES regular members. The new definition by the regular members of the KDES is as follows: "Dry eye is a disease of the ocular surface characterized by tear film abnormalities and ocular symptoms.

Spectrally Stable Deep-Blue Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Layer-Transferred Single-Crystalline Ruddlesden-Popper Halide Perovskites.

A novel approach to producing high-color-purity blue-light-emitting diodes based on single-crystalline Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites (RPPs) is reported. The utilization of a pure bromide composition eliminates any possibility of halide segregation, which can otherwise lead to undesired shifts in the emission wavelength or irreversible degradation of the spectral line width. Phase-pure PEAMAPbBr single crystals with a lateral size exceeding 1 cm can be synthesized using the inverse temperature crystallization method.

General surgery textbooks and surgical disparities.

Introduction: Some academic textbooks have previously disseminated simplistic or even incorrect conceptions of race. Propagation of such ideas in General Surgery could contribute to gaps in quality of care received by minority patients. This study aims to determine whether General Surgery textbooks provide a thorough understanding of racial disparities.

Disconnection-Based Prediction of Poststroke Dysphagia.

Background And Purpose: Dysphagia is a common deficit after a stroke and is associated with serious complications. It is not yet fully clear which brain regions are directly related to swallowing. Previous lesion symptom mapping studies may have overlooked structural disconnections that could be responsible for poststroke dysphagia.

Porous Polyethylene Supports in Reinforcement of Multiblock Hydrocarbon Ionomers for Proton Exchange Membranes.

Hydrocarbon (HC)-based block copolymers have been recognized as promising candidates for proton exchange membranes (PEMs) due to their distinct hydrophilic-hydrophobic separation, which results in improved proton transport compared to that of random copolymers. However, most PEMs derived from HC-based ionomers, including block copolymers, encounter challenges related to durability in electrochemical cells due to their low mechanical and chemical properties. One method for reinforcing HC-based ionomers involves incorporating the ionomers into commercially available low surface tension PTFE porous substrates.

Use of Baclofen as a Treatment for Nocturnal Calf Cramps in Individuals With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of baclofen and gabapentin in reducing leg pain from nocturnal calf cramps in lumbar spinal stenosis patients.

Design: In a randomized clinical trial, the patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who commonly experienced nocturnal calf cramps were included. Patients were randomly assigned to either the baclofen or gabapentin group.

Clinical Evaluation of a Hydrophobic Intraocular Lens Using a Preloaded Automated Injector in a Korean Population.

Purpose: This study assessed post-market clinical outcomes of the Clareon monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) preloaded in the AutonoMe Delivery System in a real-world setting of Korean patients.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter, single-arm study in Korea was conducted from July 2020 to December 2021. Patients were ≥20 years old with unilateral or bilateral cataracts who received Clareon IOLs (CNA0T0) preloaded in an automated injector system.