Fabrication of Partially Etched Polystyrene Nanoparticles.

Non-spherical polymer nanoparticles (NPs) have gained attention in various fields, but their fabrication remains challenging. In this study, we present a simple protocol for synthesizing partially etched polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles through emulsion polymerization and chemical etching. By adjusting the degree of crosslinking, we selectively dissolve the weakly crosslinked portions of the particles, resulting in partially etched PS NPs with increased surface area.

Efficacy and tolerability of desensitization in the treatment of delayed drug hypersensitivities to anti-tuberculosis medications.

Background: Delayed drug hypersensitivity to first-line anti-tuberculosis medication is a major challenge in tuberculosis treatment.

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the efficacy/tolerability of desensitization therapy in treatment of first-line anti-tuberculosis medication hypersensitivity and the usefulness of immunologic evaluation therein.

Methods: This study was conducted as a prospective, observational cohort study.

A practical scoring system for predicting cirrhosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Background/aims: The purpose of the current study was to develop a simple model for predicting cirrhosis in chronic viral hepatitis patients and to evaluate the usefulness of decision tree algorithms.

Methodology: Serum markers of fibrosis were compared with the stage of fibrosis in liver biopsy specimens prospectively obtained from 526 subjects with chronic HBV and HCV infections (estimation set, 367; validation set, 159).

Results: Univariate analysis revealed that age, bilirubin, platelet count, APRI, ALP, hyaluronic acid (HA), α2-macroglobulin, MMP-2, TIMP-1, and procollagen III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP) were significantly different between patients with (F4) and without cirrhosis (F0123).

Expression of peroxiredoxin and thioredoxin in human lung cancer and paired normal lung.

Background: Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) have been implicated in regulating many cellular processes including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. However, the pathophysiological significance of Prx proteins, especially in lung disease, has not been defined. Therefore, the authors investigated the distribution and expression of various Prx isoforms in lung cancer and compared this with normal lung from human and mouse.

Computerized physician order entry and electronic medical record systems in Korean teaching and general hospitals: results of a 2004 survey.

Objective: To determine the availability of computerized physician order entry (CPOE) and electronic medical record (EMR) systems in teaching and general hospitals in the Republic of Korea.

Design: A combined mail and telephone survey of 283 hospitals.

Measurements: The surveys assessed the availability of CPOE and EMRs in the hospitals, as well as inducement, participation, and saturation regarding CPOE use by physicians.