Features of atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality in dialysis patients. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is used as a surrogate marker of early atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can cause vascular access failure.

Association between resuscitation time interval at the scene and neurological outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in two Asian cities.

Background And Aim: It is unclear whether the scene time interval (STI) for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is associated with outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) or not. The present study aimed to determine the association between STI and neurological outcome after OHCA using two large population-based cohorts covering two metropolitan cities in Asia.

Methods: A retrospective analysis based on two large population-based cohorts from Seoul (2008-2010) and Osaka (2007-2009) was performed for witnessed adult OHCA with presumed cardiac aetiology.

Nano-enabled delivery systems across the blood-brain barrier.

The development of drugs to treat disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) faces difficulties in achieving penetration of a drug through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and allowing the drug to reach its intended target in the brain. There have been strategies to improve drug delivery to the brain through endogenous transport pathways such as passive diffusion, endocytosis, and active transport. Among various strategies, nano-enabled delivery systems offer a promising solution to improve the uptake and targeted delivery of drugs into the brain.

The Comparative Study of Ultrasonography, Contrast-Enhanced MRI, and (18)F-FDG PET/CT for Detecting Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in T1 Breast Cancer.

Purpose: A more noninvasive evaluation of axillary lymph node in breast cancer is one of the principal challenges of breast cancer treatment. To detect axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) in T1 breast cancer, we have compared the axillary ultrasonography (AUS), contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI), and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to determine the most adequate test or a combination of tests.

Methods: Retrospectively, 349 T1 breast cancer patients who were preoperatively examined using AUS, cMRI, and PET/CT between 2008 and 2011 and whom underwent pathological evaluations of axillary lymph nodes were reviewed and analyzed.

TNF-α gene silencing using polymerized siRNA/thiolated glycol chitosan nanoparticles for rheumatoid arthritis.

Among various proinflammatory cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α plays a pivotal role in the release of other cytokines and induction of chronic inflammation. Even though siRNA has the therapeutic potential, they have a challenge to be delivered into the target cells because of their poor stability in physiological fluids. Herein, we design a nanocomplex of polymerized siRNA (poly-siRNA) targeting TNF-α with thiolated glycol chitosan (tGC) polymers for the treatment of RA.

Effect of morphology of electrodeposited Ni catalysts on the behavior of bubbles generated during the oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline water electrolysis.

We have investigated the release of active sites blocked by bubbles attached on the surface of catalysts during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline water electrolysis, via the modulation of the wetting properties of the four different morphologies of a nickel catalyst.

MR imaging of articular cartilage at 1.5T and 3.0T: comparison of IDEAL 2D FSE and 3D SPGR with fat-saturated 2D FSE and 3D SPGR in a porcine model.

Background: IDEAL technique is a robust fat-water separation method which is potentially useful in cartilage imaging with significant improvement in the cartilage signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Purpose: To identify whether iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation (IDEAL) improved diagnostic performance for IDEAL 2D fast spin echo (FSE) and 3D spoiled gradient-recalled echo (SPGR) versus fat-saturated (FS) protocols at 1.5 and 3.

Comparison of laser ablation using multidirectional and forward-firing fiber in human thyroid gland: experimental study.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences between forward-firing and multidirectional lasers and to evaluate the effects of exposure times and power on laser ablation of thyroid tissue. This is an experimental, ex vivo study. The experiments were conducted on 3 thyroid glands using 2 power levels (3 and 5 W) and exposure times (3 and 5 minutes) with forward-firing and multidirectional lasers.

Prognostic factors for patients with bone-only metastasis in breast cancer.

Purpose: Bone is the most frequent site of metastasis among breast cancer patients. We investigated prognostic factors affecting survival following bone-only metastasis in breast cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: The medical records of breast cancer patients who were treated and followed at Gangnam Severance Hospital retrospectively reviewed to identify patients with bone-only metastasis.

Effect of particle size of PtRu nanoparticles embedded in WO3 on electrocatalysis.

Size-controlled PtRu nanoparticles embedded in WO3 were prepared by simultaneous multigun sputtering on pure targets of Pt, Ru, and WO3. The mean diameter of the PtRu nanoparticles, as confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, can be varied from -2.3 to -3.

Effect of treatment on urinary kidney injury molecule-1 in IgA nephropathy.

Background: Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) is a biomarker useful for detecting early tubular damage and has been recently reported as a useful marker for evaluating kidney injury in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). We therefore investigated whether treatment decreases urinary KIM-1 excretion in IgAN.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 37 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN.

Disposable on-chip microfluidic system for buccal cell lysis, DNA purification, and polymerase chain reaction.

This paper reports the development of a disposable, integrated biochip for DNA sample preparation and PCR. The hybrid biochip (25 × 45 mm) is composed of a disposable PDMS layer with a microchannel chamber and reusable glass substrate integrated with a microheater and thermal microsensor. Lysis, purification, and PCR can be performed sequentially on this microfluidic device.

The difference in prognostic factors between early recurrence and late recurrence in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: nodal stage differently impacts early and late recurrence.

Background: Probability of recurrence in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer remains constant for long periods. We compared tumor burden impact on late versus early recurrence in our cohort with long-term follow-up.

Methods: Five hundred and ninety five patients diagnosed with ER-positive breast cancer between 1989 and 2001 were classified into three groups: early recurrence within 5 years, late recurrence after 5 years, and no recurrence.

Developing competencies for multidisciplinary hospice and palliative care professionals in Korea.

Purpose: Competency-based assessment helps to improve performance and to standardize education programs for hospice and palliative care professionals. This paper aims to report the process and results of developing the hospice and palliative care competencies by multidisciplinary experts in Korea.

Methods: The competency development task force team of Korean hospice and palliative care professionals was comprised of seven physicians, four nurses, two social workers, and two clergy.

Retropharyngeal spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma.

Spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma is an uncommon benign adipose tissue tumor most frequently arising from the subcutaneous tissue of the back, shoulder, head and neck, and extremities. The deep cervical spaces are the rarely affected locations. Herein we report on the imaging findings of spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma involving the retropharyngeal space in an elderly woman.

High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of symptomatic middle cerebral artery dissection.

Dissection of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is less frequent compared with dissection of vessels in the vertebrobasilar system or dissection of the carotid artery. High-resolution cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) has emerged as a potential technique for atherosclerotic plaque imaging in MCA. We enrolled 3 patients with MCA dissection on whom HRMRI was performed for evaluation of MCA stenosis.

Development of a DNA microarray for species identification of quarantine aphids.

Background: Aphid pests are being brought into Korea as a result of increased crop trading. Aphids exist on growth areas of plants, and thus plant growth is seriously affected by aphid pests. However, aphids are very small and have several sexual morphs and life stages, so it is difficult to identify species on the basis of morphological features.

Delay to curative surgery greater than 12 weeks is associated with increased mortality in patients with colorectal and breast cancer but not lung or thyroid cancer.

Background: Surgery for cancer is often delayed due to variety of patient-, provider-, and health system-related factors. However, impact of delayed surgery is not clear, and may vary among cancer types. We aimed to determine the impact of the delay from cancer diagnosis to potentially curative surgery on survival.

Post-resuscitation care and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a nationwide propensity score-matching analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether active post-resuscitation care (APRC) was associated with improved out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes on a nationwide level.

Methods And Results: We used a national OHCA cohort database consisting of hospital and ambulance data. We included all survivors of OHCA, excluding patients with non-cardiac etiology, younger than 15 years, and with unknown outcomes, from (2008 to 2010).

Supported core@shell electrocatalysts for fuel cells: close encounter with reality.

Core@shell electrocatalysts for fuel cells have the advantages of a high utilization of Pt and the modification of its electronic structures toward enhancement of the activities. In this study, we suggest both a theoretical background for the design of highly active and stable core@shell/C and a novel facile synthetic strategy for their preparation. Using density functional theory calculations guided by the oxygen adsorption energy and vacancy formation energy, Pd₃Cu₁@Pt/C was selected as the most suitable candidate for the oxygen reduction reaction in terms of its activity and stability.

Urinary cystatin C levels as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in patients with acute kidney injury.

Aim: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in critically ill patients and is associated with a high mortality. Clinicians have limited tools to predict the course of AKI at the time of serum creatinine increase. We evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic utility of urinary cystatin C (uCysC) in patients with AKI.

Does body fat mass define survival in patients starting peritoneal dialysis?

Background And Aims: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is characterized by a gain in fat mass. Unlike subcutaneous fat, visceral fat is associated with metabolic syndrome and survival. We prospectively examined whether visceral or subcutaneous fat could predict outcome in patients undergoing PD.

Rapid decrease of intact parathyroid hormone could be a predictor of better response to cinacalcet in hemodialysis patients.

Purpose: Cinacalcet is effective for treating refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), but little is known about the response rates and clinical factors influencing the response.

Materials And Methods: A prospective, single-arm, multi-center study was performed for 24 weeks. Cinacalcet was administered to patients with intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level greater than 300 pg/mL.

A trend in epidemiology and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by urbanization level: a nationwide observational study from 2006 to 2010 in South Korea.

Background: The goal of this study is to better understand the trend in epidemiological features and the outcomes of emergency medical service (EMS)-assessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) according to the community urbanization level: metropolitan, urban, and rural.

Methods: This study was performed within a nationwide EMS system with a single-tiered basic-to-intermediate service level and approximately 900 destination hospitals for eligible OHCA cases in South Korea (with 48 million people). A nationwide OHCA database, which included information regarding demographics, Utstein criteria, EMS, and hospital factors and outcomes, was constructed using the EMS run sheets of eligible cases who were transported by 119 EMS ambulances and followed by a medical record review from 2006 to 2010.