Microbial Fe(III) reduction across a pH gradient: The impacts on secondary mineralization and microbial community development.

Fe(III) (hydr)oxides are prevalent in natural environments where they impact contaminant mobility, greenhouse gas release, and nutrient cycling. In anoxic conditions, dissimilatory iron reducing bacteria (DIRB) and other microbial groups primarily drive Fe(III) reduction. Dissimilatory iron reduction (DIR) results in the reductive dissolution of Fe(III) phases and subsequent secondary mineralization.

The Korea Infant Physical Growth Examination Survey (KIPGroS): a study protocol.

Growth charts are important tools used to evaluate the growth status of children and estimate the nutritional and health status of the general population. In Korea, the national standardized growth charts were updated in 2017. However, the growth charts developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) are being adopted for children under 3 years of age despite a lack of evidence for their applicability to Koreans.

Decanoic acid-enriched ketogenic diet in refractory epilepsy.

Objective: To assess the anti-seizure efficacy and safety of a C10-enriched medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) ketogenic diet (KD) compared with the classic KD in pediatric patients with refractory epilepsy.

Methods: This 16-week, open-label, randomized, controlled, crossover pilot study was conducted at Severance Children's Hospital, Seoul, South Korea, between August 2022 and September 2023. Fifteen pediatric patients with refractory epilepsy were enrolled and received classic KD and C10-enriched KD for 8 weeks each.

Efficacy of bentonite/iron-coated sand as a sediment stabilizer in controlling cadmium, lead, zinc, and arsenic release determined using the diffusive gradients in thin film technology.

In this study, we investigated the efficiency of a bentonite/iron-coated sand (B/ICS) stabilizer in reducing the mobility and accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, and As) in contaminated sediments. Bentonite is effective in the adsorption of heavy metals, while ICS is effective in the adsorption of As. When combined, the stabilizer can be applied to mixed-contaminated sediments containing both heavy metals and As.

Structural and functional alterations in hypothalamic subregions in male patients with alcohol use disorder.

Background: The hypothalamus is involved in stress regulation and reward processing, with its various nuclei exhibiting unique functions and connections. However, human neuroimaging studies on the hypothalamic subregions are limited in drug addiction. This study examined the volumes and functional connectivity of hypothalamic subregions in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Using a mobile app comprising neurofeedback-based meditation and binaural beat music to treat PTSD symptoms: A qualitative analysis.

Background: There is a significant need for an effective and convenient symptom management and healing program for people experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms; however, research on this topic is lacking.

Objective: This study explored the experiences of individuals with PTSD who used a mobile traumatic stress management app with neurofeedback-based meditation and binaural beat music to promote their psychological recovery.

Methods: This study used a qualitative research method to explore the experiences of neurofeedback-based meditation and binaural beat music using a mobile traumatic stress management app to promote the psychological recovery of people experiencing chronic traumatic stress.

Feasibility of a mobile app for traumatic stress management using neurofeedback-based meditation and binaural beat music: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Individuals who have experienced traumatic events often encounter a variety of changes in their lives and and may suffer from them. To help and alleviate these traumatic stress, we developed an evidence-based mobile application (app) for easy accessibility. This study aimed to test the effects of the mobile app for traumatic stress management using neurofeedback-based meditation and binaural beat music.

Clinical outcomes of the implementation of acute care surgery system in South Korea: a multi-centre, retrospective cohort study.

Background: In emergency general surgery (EGS), rapid judgement and prompt emergency surgery play a significant role in determining the patient's prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate whether implementing the acute care surgery (ACS) system in Korea has improved the clinical outcomes of patients.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at three tertiary hospitals in Korea.

Outcomes in emergency surgery following the implementation of an acute care surgery model: a retrospective observational study.

Purpose: Over the past 3 years, approximately 23,000 emergency surgeries were performed annually in South Korea, accounting for >1% of all surgeries nationwide. With the growing necessity for treating these emergency cases with dedication and proficiency, acute care surgery (ACS) teams were appointed at various hospitals. Regarding the implications of the ACS team, many studies showed promising results with a shorter time from the emergency department (ED) to the operating room (OR), shorter length of stay, and fewer complications.

Revisiting oligodendroglioma grading in the 2021 WHO classification: calcification and larger contrast-enhancing tumor volume may predict higher oligodendroglioma grade.

Purpose: To investigate whether qualitative and quantitative imaging phenotypes can predict the grade of oligodendroglioma.

Methods: Retrospective chart and imaging reviews were conducted on 180 adults with oligodendroglioma (IDH-mutant and 1p/19q codeleted) between 2005 and 2021. Qualitative imaging characteristics including tumor location, calcification, gliomatosis cerebri, cystic change, necrosis, and infiltrative pattern were analyzed.

Identification of prognostic imaging biomarkers in H3 K27-altered diffuse midline gliomas in adults: impact of tumor oxygenation imaging biomarkers on survival.

Purpose: To investigate prognostic markers for H3 K27-altered diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) in adults with clinical, qualitative and quantitative imaging phenotypes, including tumor oxygenation characteristics.

Methods: Retrospective chart and imaging reviews were conducted on 32 adults with H3 K27-altered DMGs between 2017 and 2023. Clinical and qualitative imaging characteristics were analyzed.

The Effect of the BEPC22 and BELP53 Combination (BN-202M) on Body Fat Percentage Loss in Overweight Individuals: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

BN-202M is derived from humans and consists of two strains, BEPC22 and BELP53. Body fat reduction effect and safety of BN-202M were assessed in overweight participants. A total of 150 participants were randomly assigned to the BN-202M and placebo groups at a 1:1 ratio.

Enterococcal bacteremia in children: Clinical Significance of vancomycin resistance.

Background: We aimed to describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of enterococcal bacteremia, as well as the effect of Enterococcus resistance against vancomycin on clinical outcomes in Korean children.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children diagnosed with enterococci isolated from blood cultures at Pusan National University Children's Hospital between December 2009 and November 2021.

Results: In total, 64 patients were enrolled in the study.

Revisiting prognostic factors of gliomatosis cerebri in adult-type diffuse gliomas.

Purpose: There is lack of comprehensive analysis evaluating the impact of clinical, molecular, imaging, and surgical data on survival of patients with gliomatosis cerebri (GC). This study aimed to investigate prognostic factors of GC in adult-type diffuse glioma patients.

Methods: Retrospective chart and imaging review was performed in 99 GC patients from adult-type diffuse glioma (among 1,211 patients; 6 oligodendroglioma, 16 IDH-mutant astrocytoma, and 77 IDH-wildtype glioblastoma) from a single institution between 2005 and 2021.

Kinetics-based inference of environment-dependent microbial interactions and their dynamic variation.

Microbial communities in nature are dynamically evolving as member species change their interactions subject to environmental variations. Accounting for such context-dependent dynamic variations in interspecies interactions is critical for predictive ecological modeling. In the absence of generalizable theoretical foundations, we lack a fundamental understanding of how microbial interactions are driven by environmental factors, significantly limiting our capability to predict and engineer community dynamics and function.

Qualitative and Quantitative Metabolite Comparison of Korean Traditional Alcoholic Beverages: , , and .

With increasing interest in Korean foods and beverages, Korean traditional alcoholic beverages need to be studied. To characterize Korean traditional alcoholic beverages, we analyzed the metabolites of , , and using 48 commercial products. We performed non-targeted metabolite profiling using gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) and identified 33 significantly discriminant metabolites, including nine organic acids, three amino acids, and seven fatty acids, in the three types of alcoholic beverage.

Effectiveness of sensory integration therapy in children, focusing on Korean children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sensory integration intervention is highly related to the child's effective interaction with the environment and the child's development. Currently, various sensory integration interventions are being applied, but research methodological problems are arising due to unsystematic protocols. This study aims to present the optimal intervention protocol by presenting scientific standards for sensory integration intervention through meta-analysis.

Metabolomics Reveals the Effects of Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium (NPK) Fertilizer Levels on Cucumber Fruit Raised in Different Nutrient Soils.

Fertilizers are widely used to improve the quality of fruits and vegetables. However, the overuse of fertilizers has become an issue because it causes environmental problems and negatively affects productivity and fruit quality. In this study, we examined the effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer levels on the metabolism of cucumber fruit in low- and high-nutrient soils using mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics approaches.

Association between receiving work communications outside of work hours via telecommunication devices and work-related headaches and eyestrain: a cross-sectional analysis of the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey.

Background: The rise in telecommuting or non-face-to-face work owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has fueled conversations regarding the "right to disconnect." Although evidence suggests that receiving work-related communications through telecommunication devices outside of work hours may lead to various symptoms and illnesses, limited research has been undertaken on these symptoms. This study therefore aims to investigate the correlation between receiving work communications through telecommunication devices after work hours and the occurrence of work-related headaches and eyestrain in full-time, non-shift white-collar workers.

Predisposal of Interferon Regulatory Factor 1 Deficiency to Accumulate DNA Damage and Promote Osteoarthritis Development in Cartilage.

Objective: Interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) is a transcriptional regulator conventionally associated with immunomodulation. Recent molecular analyses mapping DNA binding sites of IRF1 have suggested its potential function in DNA repair. However, the physiologic significance of this noncanonical function remains unexplored.

Combination of BEPC22 and BELP53 attenuates fat accumulation and alters the metabolome and gut microbiota in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity.

This study evaluated the effects of formulations with BEPC22 and BELP53 on adiposity, the alteration of microbiota, and the metabolome in high-fat diet-fed mice. The strains were selected based on their fat and glucose absorption inhibitory activities and potential metabolic interactions. The optimal ratio of the two strains in the probiotic formulation was determined based on their adipocyte differentiation inhibitory activities.

Analysis of the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation for patients with chronic mental illness: A meta-analysis.

Background: People suffering from chronic mental illness are sensitive to stressful stimuli, lack coping skills, and have low self-esteem due to problems such as social situations. They also experience depression, isolation, fear, and frustration. Due to cognitive dysfunction, people suffering from chronic mental illness have inadequate cognitive processes that lead to distorted thinking.

Using the network scale-up method to characterise kidney trafficking in Kalai Upazila, Bangladesh.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of illegal kidney sales in Kalai Upazila, Bangladesh, using the Network Scale-Up Method (NSUM), an ego-centric network survey-based technique used to estimate the size of hidden populations. The study estimated the size of the kidney seller population, analysed the profiles of kidney sellers and kidney brokers and investigated the characteristics of villagers who are more likely to be connected to kidney sellers to identify possible biases of the NSUM estimate. The study found that the prevalence of kidney trafficking in Kalai Upazila was between 1.