Epidemiologic study of pediatric uveitis and its ophthalmic complications using the Korean National Health Insurance Claim Database.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence and ophthalmic complications of pediatric uveitis using the Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) Service database.

Design: Nationwide population-based longitudinal cohort study.

Methods: This study used the NHI database from 2005 to 2021 and included individuals <18 years of age diagnosed with uveitis on at least three separate visits between 2010-2014, with a five-year wash-out period and a seven-year follow-up period.

Identifying blowfly species using posterior spiracle by Error-rate based morphometrics in third instar larvae.

Necrophagous flies are the first insects to colonize corpses in medicolegal cases, making the identification of their larvae species crucial for the utilization of forensic entomology data. However, morphological species identification of larvae is challenged by issues such as limited species range and difficulty. This study aimed to address the limitations of existing morphological identification methods by developing a straightforward and unified approach for identifying third instar larvae.

Anaplastic and poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas at intervention sites: implications of track seeding and the importance of follow-up monitoring- report of two cases.

Introduction: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely used to treat benign thyroid nodules. While pre-ablation cancer screenings can produce false-negatives, tumor seeding is rare, and aggressive thyroid cancers following RFA have not been reported. We present two cases of potential track seeding after RFA.

Improved Limit on Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay of ^{100}Mo from AMoRE-I.

AMoRE searches for the neutrinoless double beta decay using 100 kg of enriched ^{100}Mo. Scintillating molybdate crystals coupled with a metallic magnetic calorimeter operate at milli-Kelvin temperatures to measure the energy of electrons emitted in the decay. AMoRE-I is a demonstrator for the full-scale AMoRE, operated at the Yangyang Underground Laboratory for over two years.

Inhibiting EZH2 complements steroid effects in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating X-linked disorder caused by dystrophin gene mutations. Despite recent advances in understanding the disease etiology and applying emerging treatment methodologies, glucocorticoid derivatives remain the only general therapeutic option that can slow disease development. However, the precise molecular mechanism of glucocorticoid action remains unclear, and there is still need for additional remedies to complement the treatment.

Health-related quality of life in adolescents with myocarditis and pericarditis after BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination: Korean national surveillance.

Aims: Concerns have been raised regarding the potential causal relationship between myocarditis and mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. In response, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency actively monitored myocarditis and pericarditis in adolescents who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in South Korea. Understanding the long-term health outcomes of these cases is essential for developing evidence-based national health policies.

Halomonas pelophila sp. nov., isolated from mud and Halomonas aquatica sp. nov., isolated from marine water.

Two Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, cream-coloured, short rod-shaped, and motile bacterial strains, designated CS7 and SSM6, were isolated from mud and marine water collected in Incheon, Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that both strains belonged to the genus Halomonas. Strain CS7 exhibited the highest 16S rRNA similarity with Halomonas urmiana TBZ3 (99.

Multitarget Natural Compounds for Ischemic Stroke Treatment: Integration of Deep Learning Prediction and Experimental Validation.

Ischemic stroke's complex pathophysiology demands therapeutic approaches targeting multiple pathways simultaneously, yet current treatments remain limited. We developed an innovative drug discovery pipeline combining a deep learning approach with experimental validation to identify natural compounds with comprehensive neuroprotective properties. Our computational framework integrated SELFormer, a transformer-based deep learning model, and multiple deep learning algorithms to predict NC bioactivity against seven crucial stroke-related targets (, and ).

A randomized controlled trial comparing liquid skin adhesives and staplers for surgical wound management.

Purpose: Despite the widespread use of liquid skin adhesives (LSA), concerns persist regarding the increase in wound care costs. This study aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of LSA for surgical wound management.

Methods: In this prospective, open-label, single-center randomized controlled trial, adults aged 19 years and older who were scheduled for elective minimally invasive colorectal surgeries were included.

Safety and effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants in fragile patients with venous thromboembolism: a retrospective cohort observational study.

Purpose: The use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is challenging in fragile patients, including those with cancer, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and old age. We aimed to compare the safety of DOACs in terms of bleeding complications in these patients.

Methods: Using hospital data from 2013 to 2019, we compared the risk of bleeding and major bleeding, including intracranial bleeding, any bleeding requiring transfusion, and all-cause bleeding, in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) who were naïve to DOAC (n = 12,369) and warfarin (n = 4,123).

7-nm Mn ZnFeO superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION): a high-performance theranostic for MRI and hyperthermia applications.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are promising contrast agents for imaging-guided cancer therapies. However, challenges such as the requirement for a high alternating magnetic field (AMF), dosage limitations, and suboptimal imaging contrast have hindered their practical applications. First, the optimal doping ratio of Mn and Zn in MnZnFeO nanoparticles synthesized using a modified high-temperature thermal decomposition method (mHTTD) was determined.

The effect of Gyrokinesis exercise on fatigue and sleep quality in female office workers.

Fatigue is a state of difficulty maintaining voluntary activity. Cortisol, which is essential for stress regulation, can cause tissue damage when elevated for long periods of time, which is a common problem for office workers in stressful environments. Sleep quality is important for health and cognitive function, while sleep deprivation increases the risk of physical and mental health disorders.

Life course exposure to work strain and cognitive disparities by race and ethnicity.

There is a well-documented association between exposure to occupational strain and adverse older adult cognition. However, limited research examines differences in this association by race and ethnicity despite considerable disparities in older adult cognition and occupational segregation in the U.S.

Association between diastolic blood viscosity and functional outcomes after acute ischemic stroke.

Background: While blood viscosity is recognized as a contributing factor in cerebrovascular disease pathophysiology, the specific role of diastolic blood viscosity (DBV) in functional outcomes after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains unclear. This study investigates the relationship between admission DBV levels and 3-month functional outcomes in patients with AIS.

Methods: We analyzed 413 AIS patients admitted within 7 days of symptom onset.

Analysis of lymph node metastasis based on consolidation tumor ratio and maximum standardized uptake value in clinical stage IA non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Sublobar resection has been established as an acceptable treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As a result, preoperative prediction of lymph node (LN) metastasis is becoming an important factor in determining surgical strategy. This study aimed to investigate the predictive accuracy of the consolidation tumor ratio (CTR) and the maximum standardized uptake value (maxSUV) of the primary tumor for LN metastasis in patients with clinical stage IA NSCLC.

COVID-19 infection and pulmonary sarcoidosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of morbidity, severity and mortality.

Background: The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) influenced millions of lives, not only healthy subjects but also patients with various comorbidities. Of those, interstitial lung disease (ILD) is known to be specifically vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2, sometimes leading to a lethal outcome. Sarcoidosis, one of the ILDs, has been suggested to be more susceptible to COVID-19, but the results of previous studies are in disagreement.

Homologous relationship between FabG involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and SDR on chromosome II in the multi-chromosome pathogen Vibrio anguillarum.

Vibrio anguillarum threatens fish and larval farming industries and human health worldwide. The identification of bacterial adaptation and responses to stress due to environmental changes is vital for establishing a response strategy for pathogenic Vibrio. Previously, short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) was identified on chromosome II of the multichromosomal V.

Plasma exchange and radiation resensitize immunotherapy-refractory melanoma: a phase I trial.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are effective for advanced melanoma. However, most develop ICI resistance. Tumor-derived soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) and other immunosuppressive factors drive resistance.

Amisulbrom induces mitochondrial dysfunction, leading apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human trophoblast and endometrial cells.

Amisulbrom, a triazole-based fungicide, is utilized in agriculture to increase agricultural production by controlling fungal infections. The long disappearance time of 50 % (DT50) and potential toxic effects of amisulbrom on nontarget organisms have been reported. However, the toxic effects on the pregnancy process remain unclear.

Novel anti-CD73-IL-2v bispecific fusion protein augments antitumor immunity by alleviating immunosuppressive adenosine pathways in CD8 T cells.

Background: Adenosine accumulated in the tumor microenvironment functions as an immune-modulating factor, exerting immunosuppressive actions via adenosine A2A/A2B receptor (A2AR/A2BR) in various immune cell types. CD73, a key enzymatic regulator responsible for adenosine production, is frequently overexpressed in diverse cancers, and its overexpression is associated with reduced responsiveness to conventional anti-cancer drug treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. Despite numerous therapeutic applications of IL-2 in cancer immunotherapy, the relationship between the CD73-adenosine axis and IL-2-based immunotherapy remains largely unexplored.

The Inhibitory Effects of ARA301 Extract on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Lung Injury .

Lung injury is a critical health concern associated with severe inflammatory responses and tissue damage that can weaken respiratory function and potentially become life-threatening in severe cases. This study aimed to establish a mouse model of lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) derived from and to evaluate whether ARA301 extract (CME) can prevent lung injury. CME was orally administered to mice for three consecutive days, followed by intranasal LPS administration.

Curcumin-PLGA NPs coated with targeting biomimetic personalized stem cell membranes for osteoarthritis therapy.

Traditional drug delivery systems for OA treatments face limitations due to rapid clearance within the joint and low biocompatibility. Moreover, the inflammation associated with OA exacerbates tissue damage and delays the regenerative capacity of therapeutics. To overcome these limitations, an OA-specific drug delivery system designated dCOL2-CM-Cur-PNPs is developed herein to target OA cartilage for anti-inflammatory and cartilage regeneration purposes.

Dual-MOF-Layered Films via Solution Shearing Approach: A Versatile Platform for Tunable Chemiresistive Sensors.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are ideal for gas sensing due to their high porosity and chemical diversity. However, their low electrical conductivity has traditionally limited their application in chemiresistive-type sensors. The recent development of electrically conductive MOFs (cMOFs) has addressed this limitation.

Patient experience of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency-associated liver disease: a qualitative study.

Purpose: To elicit the signs and/or symptoms, and impacts on daily living experienced by patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency-associated liver disease (AATD-LD).

Methods: A preliminary "concept list" of signs and/or symptoms, and impacts was developed from a targeted literature review, patient blog posts, and clinician interviews. Subsequently, one-to-one concept elicitation interviews involving English-speaking, US adults with AATD-LD and a protease inhibitor (Pi) ZZ or MZ genotype were conducted by trained interviewers following a central Institutional Review Board-approved discussion guide.