The Impact of Temperature and Pressure on the Structural Stability of Solvated Solid-State Conformations of Silk Fibroins: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

silk fibroin is a promising biopolymer with notable mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and potential for diverse biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering scaffolds, and drug delivery. These properties are intrinsically linked to the structural characteristics of silk fibroin, making it essential to understand its molecular stability under varying environmental conditions. This study employed molecular dynamics simulations to examine the structural stability of silk I and silk II conformations of silk fibroin under changes in temperature (298 K to 378 K) and pressure (0.

Screening for Lung Cancer, Overdiagnosis, and Healthcare Utilization: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Introduction: Guideline-discordant low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening may cause lung cancer (LC) overdiagnosis, but its extent and consequences are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of self-initiated, non-reimbursed LDCT screening in a predominantly non-smoking population and its impact on LC epidemiology and healthcare utilization.

Methods: This nationwide cohort study analyzed data from Korea's National Health Information Database (NHID) and eleven academic hospital screening centers (1999-2022).

Low-Dose CT Screening in East Asian Women Who Have Never Smoked: Association between Family History of Lung Cancer and Ground-Glass Nodule Prevalence and Growth.

Background Characteristics of ground-glass nodules (GGNs) in Asian women who have never smoked with family history of lung cancer (FHLC) remain unexamined. Purpose To investigate the differences in GGN progression to lung cancer at low-dose CT (LDCT) screening between Asian women who have never smoked with and without FHLC, and to examine associations between FHLC and GGN prevalence and growth. Materials and Methods This single-center retrospective study included East Asian women who had never smoked and had no personal history of lung cancer who underwent baseline LDCT for a health checkup between January 2011 and December 2015.

Discontinuation of β-blocker therapy in stabilised patients after acute myocardial infarction (SMART-DECISION): rationale and design of the randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: There is a lack of evidence to support the effectiveness of prolonged β-blocker therapy after stabilisation of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) without heart failure (HF) or left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Methods And Analysis: The SMart Angioplasty Research Team: DEcision on Medical Therapy in Patients with Coronary Artery DIsease or Structural Heart Disease Undergoing InterventiON (SMART-DECISION) trial is a multicentre, prospective, open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial designed to determine whether discontinuing β-blocker therapy after ≥1 year of maintenance in stabilised patients after AMI is non-inferior to continuing it. Patients eligible for participation are those without HF or left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction >40%) who have been continuing β-blocker therapy for ≥1 year after AMI.

Crystal structure of γ-carbonic anhydrase from the polyextremophilic bacterium Aeribacillus pallidus.

The polyextremophilic bacterium Aeribacillus pallidus produces a thermo- and alkali-stable γ-carbonic anhydrase (γ-apCA), a homotrimeric metalloenzyme containing a zinc ion in its active site that catalyzes the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide (CO). Here, we present the first crystal structure of γ-apCA at 1.7-Å resolution, revealing 2 trimers in the asymmetric unit.

Comparison of Population Attributable Fractions of Cancer Incidence and Mortality Linked to Excess Body Weight in Korea from 2015 to 2030.

Background: The increasing rate of excess body weight (EBW) in the global population has led to growing health concerns, including cancer-related EBW. We aimed to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancer incidence and deaths linked to EBW in Korean individuals from 2015 to 2030 and to compare its value with various body mass index cutoffs.

Methods: Levin's formula was used to calculate the PAF; the prevalence rates were computed using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, while the relative risks of specific cancers related to EBW were estimated based on the results of Korean cohort studies.

Normative Parameters of Olfactory Bulbs Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Olfactory Function.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is a frequently encountered sensory disorder that increases with aging, assessed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, reference quantitative values for associated anatomical structures have rarely been suggested. The aim of this study was to assess the parameters of the olfactory bulbs (OBs) and olfactory sulcus (OS) in Korean adults according to age, along with their olfactory function.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 217 consecutive patients (104 men, 113 women; mean age, 52.

Safety and Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Thrombin Injection for Pseudoaneurysms Arising after Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy of Thyroid Nodules.

Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm is a rare but potentially fatal complication of a thyroid biopsy. However, a standard management strategy has not yet been established. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided thrombin injection (TI) for thyroid pseudoaneurysms.

Synthesis of Monodisperse and Discrete Ultra-High Nickel LiNiCoMnO Octahedral Single Crystals via Single Crystal Intermediates for Li-Ion Batteries.

Micrometer-sized single crystal cathodes have garnered significant interest as promising cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries due to their ability to reduce surface area exposure to electrolytes and suppress side reactions, thereby enhancing electrochemical performance. One of the challenging issues with single crystal cathode materials is synthesizing monodisperse and discrete single crystals rather than agglomerated quasi-single crystals. However, conventional solid-state synthesis of most single crystals results in severe agglomeration and cation mixing, as it requires high temperatures to promote particle growth to several micrometers.

Development of a 3D Printing-Enabled Cost-Effective Multimodal Raman Probe with High Signal-to-noise Ratio Raman Spectrum Measurements.

Raman spectroscopy has emerged as a pivotal analytical instrument, valued for its nondestructive capabilities and its capacity to provide essential material-specific insights. However, the excessive costs associated with commercially available Raman instruments present a barrier to their accessibility for many academic institutions and broader usage. Herein, we introduce an affordable and accessible approach to constructing a versatile Raman instrument capable of accommodating both spectroscopic and microscopic analyses.

Co-Delivery of Renal Clearable Cerium Complex and Synergistic Antioxidant Iron Complex for Treating Sepsis.

The mononuclear phagocytic system clears the circulating inorganic nanomaterials from the bloodstream, which raises concerns about the chronic toxicity of the accumulated metal species. A better understanding of the behavior of each metal after systemic injection is thus required for clinical translations. This study investigates the significance of the metal-ligand interaction on the accumulation of cerium and demonstrates that only the form in which cerium is coordinated to a multidentate chelator with a strong binding affinity does not accumulate in major organs.

Loss of function in protein Z (PROZ) is associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke in the UK Biobank.

Background: The vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor protein Z (PZ), encoded by the PROZ gene, is canonically considered to have anticoagulant effects through negative regulation of factor Xa. Paradoxically, higher circulating PZ concentrations have repeatedly been associated with an elevated risk of acute ischemic stroke.

Objectives: We performed a large-scale genetic association study to examine the relationship between germline genetic variants in PROZ and the risk of ischemic stroke.

Comparison of remimazolam and midazolam for preventing intraoperative nausea and vomiting during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Preventing intraoperative nausea and vomiting (IONV) is crucial for maternal safety during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. While midazolam is known to prevent IONV, we hypothesized that remimazolam would be superior due to its minimal hemodynamic effects. We compared the effects of the two drugs on IONV.

Synthesis of N-heterocyclic compounds using ,-dimethylacetamides as an electrophilic carbon source.

In this study, N-heterocyclic compounds were synthesized using nitrogen-containing nucleophilic substrates and electrophilic carbon sources derived from ,-dimethylacetamide (DMAc). Depending on the nucleophilic groups, N-heterocyclic compounds such as 4-quinazolinones, pyrrole-quinoxalines, and dihydro-benzothiadiazine dioxides were produced. Carbon, adjacent to the nitrogen in DMAc, was activated in the presence of FeCl·6HO and di--butyl peroxide (DTBP).

Reliability of brain volume measures of accelerated 3D T1-weighted images with deep learning-based reconstruction.

Purpose: The time-intensive nature of acquiring 3D T1-weighted MRI and analyzing brain volumetry limits quantitative evaluation of brain atrophy. We explore the feasibility and reliability of deep learning-based accelerated MRI scans for brain volumetry.

Methods: This retrospective study collected 3D T1-weighted data using 3T from 42 participants for the simulated acceleration dataset and 48 for the validation dataset.

Orally Deliverable Iron-Ceria Nanotablets for Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Ceria-based nanoparticles are versatile in treating various inflammatory diseases, but their feasibility in clinical translation is undermined by safety concerns and a limited delivery system. Meanwhile, the idiopathic nature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) calls for a wider variety of therapeutics via moderation of the intestinal immune system. In this regard, the synthesis and oral formulation of iron-ceria nanoparticles (CF NPs) with enhanced nanozymic activity and lower toxicity risk than conventional ceria-based nanoparticles are reported.