The minimally important difference in the six-minute walk test predicts clinical worsening in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: The minimally important difference (MID) in the 6-min walk test (6MWT) for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is estimated to be 33 m using distributional and anchor-based methods. Quality of life was used as the anchor. Here, we sought to determine whether the MID is predictive of clinical worsening.

Biomechanical Comparison of Internal Rotational Effectiveness following Medialized Glenoid and Lateralized Humerus Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty with Tendon Transfers: Isolated latissimus dorsi, Combined Latissimus dorsi/teres major, and Pectoralis major tendon transfers.

Background: The restriction of active internal rotation (IR) after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) poses a challenging problem for reconstructive shoulder surgeons, particularly in patients suffering from massive rotator cuff tears (mRCT) with subscapularis (SSC) deficiency. This study aims to evaluate the biomechanical effectiveness of different tendon transfer techniques following medialized glenoid and lateralized humerus RSA in improving internal rotation (IR) strength.

Methods: Eight cadaveric shoulder specimens were evaluated using a custom shoulder testing system designed to simulate loading conditions typical of mRCT with SSC insufficiency.

Functionalization of layered double hydroxides on bentonite for cesium and iodine retention in high-level radioactive waste disposal.

Bentonite is regarded as an adequate buffer material in deep geological repositories and its swelling properties serve to prevent the penetration of groundwater into the repository and to minimize the release of radionuclides. However, bentonite is rarely effective in removing anionic radionuclides due to its permanent negative surface charge. The aim of this study was to enhance the anion removal ability of bentonite by incorporating layered double hydroxides (LDH) with a high anion exchange capacity.

Early alterations of functional connectivity, regional brain volumes and astrocyte markers in the beta-sitosterol beta-d-glucoside (BSSG) rat model of parkinsonism.

The β-sitosterol-β-ᴅ-glucoside (BSSG) rat model of experimental parkinsonism develops pathological behaviour and motor changes that progress over time. The purpose of this study was to identify early changes in structure and function of the brain of rats treated with BSSG using both structural and resting-state functional MRI. BSSG and non-BSSG rats were fed five days a week for sixteen weeks, then underwent in vivo MRI scans and an assessment of motor performance 2 and 8 weeks later (18 and week 24 from BSSG).

CRISPR/Cas9-induced knockout of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-type I augments viral infection in zebrafish.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a pleiotropic cytokine with critical roles in inflammation, cell survival, and defense. As a member of the TNF superfamily, it exerts its effects by binding to transmembrane receptors and triggering various downstream signaling pathways. Although TNF-α's involvement in antiviral responses in mammals is well-established, its role in teleost remains poorly understood.

IK Channel Confers Fine-tuning of Rod Bipolar Cell Excitation and Synaptic Transmission in the Retina.

During retinal visual processing, rod bipolar cells (RBC) transfer scotopic signals from rods to AII amacrine cells as second-order neurons. Elucidation of the RBC's excitation/inhibition is essential for understanding the visual signal transmission. Excitation mechanisms via mGluR6 and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in the RBCs and GABAergic inhibitory synaptic inputs have been studied in previous studies.

Tobacco susceptibility and use among rural adolescents: The role of tobacco marketing exposure and screen media use.

Introduction: Tobacco marketing has been found to increase pro-tobacco attitudes and susceptibilities; yet its impact on rural adolescents lacks research. We aim to examine the association between tobacco marketing exposure, screen use, and susceptibility and use of tobacco among a rural youth sample.

Methods: Youth (N = 697) enrolled in grades 9-11 that resided in rural counties in Virginia were recruited to participate in a survey in September 2022.

Complete or incomplete revascularization in patients with left main culprit lesion acute myocardial infarction with multivessel disease: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Complete revascularization has demonstrated better outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and multivessel disease. However, in the case of left main (LM) culprit lesion AMI with multivessel disease, there is limited evidence to suggest that complete revascularization is better.

Methods: We reviewed 16,831 patients in the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry who were treated from July 2016 to June 2020, and 399 patients were enrolled with LM culprit lesion AMI treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Factors Associated With Self-management in Adults With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-sectional, Correlational Study.

Background: Poor self-management in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes (T2DM) leads to increased diabetes complications. Factors associated with self-management in T1DM and T2DM may differ due to the different methods for controlling blood glucose.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the associations of modifiable physical, cognitive, and psychosocial factors and the nonmodifiable factor of age with overall self-management, diet, exercise, blood glucose testing (BGT), foot care, and smoking in adults with T1DM or T2DM.

Characteristic visual phenotypes in Korean wild mice (KWM/Hym).

Background: In the last few decades, numerous efforts have been made to develop a better mouse model to overcome the current limitations of laboratory inbred mouse models such as have a weaker and simpler immune status. As part of these efforts, in Korea, the Hallym university medical genetics research team has been developing a new inbred strain of Korean wild mouse KWM/Hym. It was suggested that this strain, which is derived from wild mice, might be useful for genetic research and may become a valuable tool for overcoming some limitations seen in inbred mice that are currently used in the laboratory.

Real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic segmental volume analysis: a quantitative and objective tool for assessing regional left ventricle wall motion in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Background: Evaluation of regional left ventricle function using two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) in patients with ischemic heart disease has limitations due to its low objectivity and qualitative nature. In addition, 2DE is limited because multiple acoustic windows are used to obtain the image, whereas three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) uses a single window. This study aims to demonstrate the clinical utility of 3DE segmental volume analysis for evaluating regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA).

Validity and reliability of the integrated palliative care outcome scale (IPOS) in Korea: a multicenter study of terminally ill cancer patients.

Background: The Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) is a key tool for assessing the quality of palliative care using patient-reported outcomes. This study aimed to culturally adapt and translate the IPOS to Korean and verify its psychometric properties for use in palliative care settings.

Methods: The IPOS was translated and culturally adapted, followed by validation in 119 terminally ill cancer patients and 28 healthcare providers across six Hospice and Palliative Care Units from September 2023 to January 2024.

Association of timed up and go test results with future injurious falls among older adults by sex: a population-based cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to determine whether sex-specific timed up and go (TUG) test results are associated with injurious fall occurrence in older adults and to identify risk factors for injurious falls based on TUG test results.

Methods: Data were obtained from an older adult cohort database provided by the National Health Insurance Service, which included 34,030 individuals aged 66 years or older who underwent life-transition health examinations in 2007 and 2008 and were followed up until 2019. To identify the risk factors for injurious falls, this study performed a Cox proportional hazard regression analysis by sex, with individual characteristics, including TUG test results, as independent variables.

Association of Weight-Bearing Activity and Prognosis of Plantar Melanoma: An Unanticipated Perspective.

Background: In the development of plantar melanoma, it is suspected that mechanical stress caused by weight-bearing activities, such as walking, rather than ultraviolet exposure, may play a significant role, showing a concentrated prevalence in areas of the foot where weight-bearing actions are prevalent. However, research investigating whether such mechanical stress influences disease prognosis has been limited. This study was designed to investigate the association between weight-bearing activity and the oncologic outcomes of patients with plantar melanoma.

Inhibition of thioredoxin reductase 1 sensitizes glucose-starved glioblastoma cells to disulfidptosis.

Disulfidptosis is a recently identified form of cell death characterized by the aberrant accumulation of cellular disulfides. This process primarily occurs in glucose-starved cells expressing higher levels of SLC7A11 and has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for cancers with hyperactive SCL7A11. However, the potential for inducing disulfidptosis through other mechanisms in cancers remains unclear.

Modularity-based mathematical modeling of ligand inter-nanocluster connectivity for unraveling reversible stem cell regulation.

The native extracellular matrix is continuously remodeled to form complex interconnected network structures that reversibly regulate stem cell behaviors. Both regulation and understanding of its intricate dynamicity can help to modulate numerous cell behaviors. However, neither of these has yet been achieved due to the lack of designing and modeling such complex structures with dynamic controllability.

Theoretical and Electrochemical Evaluation of Cannabis Sativa L. Extracts as Corrosion Inhibitors for Mild Steel in Acidic Medium.

The corrosion of metals in acidic environments remains a significant challenge, driving the search for sustainable and eco-friendly inhibitors derived from natural sources. This study evaluates the corrosion inhibition potential of three extracts from Cannabis sativa L., namely ethanol extract (EET), hexane extract (EHX), and dichloromethane extract (EDM), for mild steel in a 1 M HCl acidic medium.

Clinical outcomes of Xen 45 gel stent implantation(Ab externo, open conjunctival approach) versus Trabeculectomy: A real world study.

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of Xen 45 gel stent implantation surgery (Ab externo, open conjunctiva) with those of trabeculectomy.

Method: We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical record of 57patients (62eyes) treated with Xen implantation surgery (ab externo, open conjunctiva approach) between April 1st, 2021 and July 31st, 2023 by the same surgeon. Preoperative clinical data including intraocular pressure, the number of glaucoma medications, visual acuity were collected from 1 day to 12 months postoperatively.

Difference of Parental Level of Concerns on Surgery according to the Perspectives and Characteristic among Pediatrics with Intermittent Exotropia.

Purpose: To evaluate the differences in the level of concerns regarding exotropia surgery according to the perspectives regarding surgery and basic characteristics of parents of pediatric patients with intermittent exotropia in Korea.

Methods: This study included the parents of pediatric patients with intermittent exotropia who underwent surgery at five hospitals, between June 2022 and February 2023. Parental perspectives, basic characteristics, and levels of concern regarding surgery were assessed using a questionnaire.

Objective Changes in the Contralateral Eye after Unilateral Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: This study evaluated the objective changes in the contralateral eye after unilateral cataract surgery.

Methods: The study was designed as retrospective observational study. It included 44 patients who underwent unilateral cataract surgery.

Adjuvant sequential chemotherapy for salivary duct carcinomas: a retrospective comparative analysis.

Introduction: This study aimed to report the efficacy and safety of adjuvant sequential chemotherapy after definitive treatment of salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) compared with the standard treatment alone (surgery with postoperative radiation therapy).

Methods: This was a retrospective study of pathologically confirmed 135 SDC patients (study period 2009 to 2022). After curative surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy, 55 of 135 patients decided to receive additional chemotherapy (OP+RT+Chemo group), while 80 opted for surgery and radiation (OP+RT group).