Current status of pulmonary rehabilitation and impact on prognosis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in South Korea.

Background: The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have been limited to improving dyspnea, exercise capacity, and quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the current status of PR and its effect on prognosis.

Methods: The Nationwide Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database was used in this study.

Impact of antifibrotic therapy on lung cancer incidence and mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are at risk of lung cancer development. Antifibrotic therapy could slow disease progression of IPF, but there is limited data on its effectiveness on lung cancer. Here, we aimed to investigate lung cancer incidence and the risk of mortality of patients with IPF receiving antifibrotic therapy.

Clinical Potential of Novel Microbial Therapeutic LP51 Based on Xerosis-Microbiome Index.

Xerosis, characterized by dry, rough skin, causes discomfort and aesthetic concerns, necessitating effective treatment. Traditional treatments often show limited efficacy, prompting the need for innovative therapies. This study highlights the efficacy of microbiome therapeutic LP51, derived from a healthy vaginal microbiome, in improving xerosis.

Limosilactobacillus fermentum KBL674 Alleviates Vaginal Candidiasis.

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the primary etiologic agent of vaginal candidiasis. Lactobacillus species are predominant in the vaginal microbiome; they inhibit the development of vaginal candidiasis by producing antimicrobial agents, such as lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

Deep learning-based algorithm for automatic quantification of nigrosome-1 and Parkinsonism classification using susceptibility map-weighted MRI.

Background And Purpose: To develop and validate a deep learning-based automatic quantification for nigral hyperintensity and a classification algorithm for neurodegenerative parkinsonism using susceptibility map-weighted imaging (SMwI).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively collected 450 participants (210 with idiopathic Parkinson's disease [IPD] and 240 individuals in the control group) for training data between November 2022 and May 2023, and 237 participants (168 with IPD, 58 with essential tremor, and 11 with drug-induced Parkinsonism) for validation data between July 2021 and January 2022. SMwI data were reconstructed from multi-echo GRE.

State-Dependent Inhibition of Nav1.8 Sodium Channels by VX-150 and VX-548.

Nav1.8 sodium channels (Nav1.8) are an attractive therapeutic target for pain because they are prominent in primary pain-sensing neurons with little expression in most other kinds of neurons.

Automated Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Diagnosis via Artificial Intelligence-Based 3D T1 MRI Volumetric Analysis.

Background And Purpose: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is reversible dementia that is underdiagnosed. The purpose of this study was to develop an automated diagnostic method for iNPH using artificial intelligence techniques with a T1-weighted MRI scan.

Materials And Methods: We quantified iNPH, Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, and healthy controls on T1-weighted 3D brain MRI scans using 452 scans for training and 110 scans for testing.

Lipo-pam™ adjuvanted herpes zoster vaccine induces potent gE-specific cellular and humoral immune responses.

Herpes zoster (HZ), also known as shingles, is caused by the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Decreased VZV-specific T-cell immune responses significantly contribute to the development of HZ. Shingrix is a recombinant zoster vaccine that is currently used to prevent HZ.

Deep Learning Model Using Stool Pictures for Predicting Endoscopic Mucosal Inflammation in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

Introduction: Stool characteristics may change depending on the endoscopic activity of ulcerative colitis (UC). We developed a deep learning model using stool photographs of patients with UC (DLSUC) to predict endoscopic mucosal inflammation.

Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study conducted in 6 tertiary referral hospitals.

Multifunctional Nanomaterials for Advancing Neural Interfaces: Recording, Stimulation, and Beyond.

ConspectusNeurotechnology has seen dramatic improvements in the last three decades. The major focus in the field has been to design electrical communication platforms with high spatial resolution, stability, and translatability for understanding and affecting neural pathways. The deployment of nanomaterials in bioelectronics has enhanced the capabilities of conventional approaches employing microelectrode arrays (MEAs) for electrical interfaces, allowing the construction of miniaturized, high-performance neuroelectronics (Garg, R.

Effect of smoking cessation on psoriasis vulgaris, palmoplantar pustulosis and generalized pustular psoriasis.

Background: Smoking is a known risk factor for psoriasis; however, the impact of smoking cessation on psoriasis has seldom been evaluated.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the effects of smoking cessation on the development of psoriasis vulgaris (PsV), palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) and generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP).

Methods: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we retrospectively compiled a cohort of 5 784 973 participants without psoriasis, analysed their changes in smoking status from 2004 to 2007 and followed up new cases of psoriasis until 2021.

Preclinical and dose-ranging assessment of hESC-derived dopaminergic progenitors for a clinical trial on Parkinson's disease.

Human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) cell transplantation is a promising therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we present the derivation of high-purity mDA progenitors from clinical-grade hESCs on a large scale under rigorous good manufacturing practice (GMP) conditions. We also assessed the toxicity, biodistribution, and tumorigenicity of these cells in immunodeficient rats in good laboratory practice (GLP)-compliant facilities.

Structural and thermodynamic framework for PIEZO1 modulation by small molecules.

Mechanosensitive PIEZO channels constitute potential pharmacological targets for multiple clinical conditions, spurring the search for potent chemical PIEZO modulators. Among them is Yoda1, a widely used synthetic small molecule PIEZO1 activator discovered through cell-based high-throughput screening. Yoda1 is thought to bind to PIEZO1's mechanosensory arm domain, sandwiched between two transmembrane regions near the channel pore.

Clinical Benefit of Intravascular Imaging Compared With Conventional Angiography in Left Main Coronary Artery Intervention.

Background: The RENOVATE-COMPLEX-PCI (Randomized Controlled Trial of Intravascular Imaging Guidance Versus Angiography-Guidance on Clinical Outcomes After Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) demonstrated that intravascular imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improved clinical outcome compared with angiography-guided PCI for patients with complex coronary artery lesions. This study aims to assess whether the prognostic benefit of intravascular imaging-guided procedural optimization persists in patients undergoing PCI for left main coronary artery disease.

Methods: Of 1639 patients enrolled in the RENOVATE-COMPLEX-PCI, 192 patients with left main coronary artery disease were selected for the current prespecified substudy.

Randomized Trial of Prophylactic Antibiotics for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients With Biliary Obstruction.

Introduction: The incidence of postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) infections is reported to be up to 18% in patients with biliary obstruction. Antibiotic prophylaxis may reduce the risk of infectious complications after ERCP; however, the clinical value of prophylactic antibiotics in ERCP remains controversial.

Methods: We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to investigate whether the use of prophylactic antibiotics would reduce infectious complications after ERCP in patients with biliary obstruction.

Improved Resting-State Functional MRI Using Multi-Echo Echo-Planar Imaging on a Compact 3T MRI Scanner with High-Performance Gradients.

In blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD)-based resting-state functional (RS-fMRI) studies, usage of multi-echo echo-planar-imaging (ME-EPI) is limited due to unacceptable late echo times when high spatial resolution is used. Equipped with high-performance gradients, the compact 3T MRI system (C3T) enables a three-echo whole-brain ME-EPI protocol with smaller than 2.5 mm isotropic voxel and shorter than 1 s repetition time, as required in landmark fMRI studies.

Intravascular Imaging-Guided or Angiography-Guided Complex PCI.

Background: Data regarding clinical outcomes after intravascular imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for complex coronary-artery lesions, as compared with outcomes after angiography-guided PCI, are limited.

Methods: In this prospective, multicenter, open-label trial in South Korea, we randomly assigned patients with complex coronary-artery lesions in a 2:1 ratio to undergo either intravascular imaging-guided PCI or angiography-guided PCI. In the intravascular imaging group, the choice between intravascular ultrasonography and optical coherence tomography was at the operators' discretion.

Plasma Antiretinal Autoantibody Profiling and Diagnostic Efficacy in Patients With Autoimmune Retinopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate plasma antiretinal autoantibody (ARA) profiling and diagnostic efficacy for autoimmune retinopathy (AIR).

Design: A multicenter, diagnostic evaluation study.

Methods: Forty-nine patients with a clinical diagnosis of AIR, disease controls including 20 patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and 30 normal controls were included.

Phytochemicals in Cancer Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy.

The interaction of immune checkpoint molecules in the tumor microenvironment reduces the anti-tumor immune response by suppressing the recognition of T cells to tumor cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is emerging as a promising therapeutic option for cancer treatment. However, modulating the immune system with ICIs still faces obstacles with severe immunogenic side effects and a lack of response against many cancer types.

Inhibition of inflammatory pain and cough by a novel charged sodium channel blocker.

Background And Purpose: Many pain-triggering nociceptor neurons express TRPV1 or TRPA1, cation-selective channels with large pores that enable permeation of QX-314, a cationic analogue of lidocaine. Co-application of QX-314 with TRPV1 or TRPA1 activators can silence nociceptors. In this study, we describe BW-031, a novel more potent cationic sodium channel inhibitor, and test whether its application alone can inhibit pain associated with tissue inflammation and whether this strategy can also inhibit cough.