Publications by authors named "Sim W"

Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on legacy persistent organic pollutants like PBDEs, HBCDs, and PFAS found in sediments from five major rivers, revealing higher contamination levels in areas with industrial activity.
  • The predominant compounds detected were decaBDE for PBDEs, γ-HBCD for HBCDs, and PFOS for PFAS, with alternative substances appearing less frequently.
  • Overall, while most ecological risk assessment values were low, PBDEs and PFOS posed significant risks at certain sites, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring to protect aquatic ecosystems.
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An analytical method for nine tranquilizer compounds, including eight major natural oil components and 2-phenoxyethanol, was developed using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and validated under CODEX and National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation guidelines. Subsequently, 315 live seafood samples under Korean preference for sashimi (eight species) were monitored with sales distribution channels and place of origin. A total of 76 detection cases in 65 seafood samples contained the target tranquilizer compounds at concentrations ranging from 2.

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This study investigated the effects of on alleviating loperamide-induced constipation. To evaluate the efficacy of in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, fecal parameters, the intestinal transit rate, and changes in intestinal mucosal cells were measured through histological analysis. Additionally, serotonin levels, water absorption, tight junction-related gene expression, and the cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content were analyzed.

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Enfortumab vedotin (EV) is used as monotherapy or combined with pembrolizumab in advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC), but biomarker data associated with EV outcomes are limited. We identified 170 patients in the UNITE study who received EV monotherapy and had molecular biomarker data available. Outcomes for groups with and without a particular biomarker were compared using logistic regression (unadjusted) for the objective response rate (ORR), and a log-rank test and Cox proportional-hazard models (CPHMs) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) from EV initiation.

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1866 is a deciduous shrub native to Northeast Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan Its polyphenol-rich edible berries may aid in managing chronic diseases. Despite its importance, the mitogenome of this species remains understudied. This study assembled the complete mitogenome, consisting of 626,941 bp with 45.

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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) root or whole-plant extracts are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and other nervous system disturbances.

Aim Of The Study: We evaluated the neuroprotective and antidepressant effects of ashwagandha root extract (ARE) on corticosterone-exposed HT-22 cells and unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS)-challenged mice.

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Aim: To compare nurse work hours and nursing activities between high-staffed and low-staffed general wards to examine the effects of increased staffing on nurse workload and nursing care.

Design: A secondary analysis was conducted using cross-sectional data collected at a tertiary teaching hospital in South Korea in January 2020.

Methods: Nursing activities provided by 350 nurses were observed every 10 min during their shifts for three observation days in four high- and four low-staffed wards.

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Background: Telogen effluvium (TE) is characterized by diffuse hair loss following stressful events such as childbirth, prolonged surgery or anesthesia, and severe febrile illnesses, as well as intentional or unintentional rapid weight loss. However, literature regarding the relationship between TE and weight loss is limited.

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of TE induced by weight loss and assess their quantitative relationship.

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This study combines high-throughput screening and virtual molecular docking to identify natural compounds targeting PKC in skin aging. Go 6983, a PKC inhibitor, showed potent suppression of MMP-1 transcription. EGCG was one of the candidates that showed it could significantly lower UVB-induced MMP-1 expression in HaCaT cells, and it had a strong affinity for PKCα.

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Fine particulate matter (PM) induces a range of diseases, including skin disorders, through inflammatory responses. In this study, we investigated the novel mechanisms by which PM causes skin inflammation in human keratinocytes HaCaT. We observed increased protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in PM-treated HaCaT cells.

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The present study investigated the anti‑melanogenesis effects of Giant (GCA), a new cultivator of (CA) cataloged by the Korea Forest Service in 2022, and compared its efficacy with that of traditional CA. GCA has a high yield per unit area and enhanced antioxidant properties. The anti‑melanogenic effects of GCA were investigated using B16F10 melanoma cells and a 3D human skin‑equivalent model.

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Importance: Little is known about the impact of different anesthetic agents used for routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sedation on pulmonary function in children.

Objective: To compare the incidence of pulmonary atelectasis after MRI sedation with propofol vs propofol-ketamine.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This double-masked randomized clinical trial screened 117 consecutive pediatric patients aged 3 to 12 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I to II undergoing elective MRI under deep sedation from November 2, 2022, to April 28, 2023, at a tertiary referral center.

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Background: The frequent occurrence of pressure injuries despite their preventability raises important questions about our understanding of the barriers to care. This study explores the lived experience of nurses and caregivers in Singapore to establish a conceptual framework for better understanding of pressure injuries arising in the community.

Methods: A multicenter qualitative study was conducted utilizing semistructured interviews and focused group discussions of nurses and caregivers of patients with pressure injuries.

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Neutrophils are critical mediators of both the initiation and resolution of inflammation after myocardial infarction (MI). Overexuberant neutrophil signaling after MI exacerbates cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac remodeling while neutrophil apoptosis at the injury site promotes macrophage polarization toward a pro-resolving phenotype. Here, we describe a nanoparticle that provides spatiotemporal control over neutrophil fate to both stymie MI pathogenesis and promote healing.

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Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a commonly used technique to measure neural activation. Its application has been particularly important in identifying underlying neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Autism. Recent analysis of fMRI data models the brain as a graph and extracts features by graph neural networks (GNNs).

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The heterogeneous anatomy of the left atrial appendage (LAA) necessitates preprocedural imaging essential for planning of percutaneous LAA occlusion (LAAO) procedures. While transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) remains the gold standard, cardiac computed tomography (CT) is becoming increasingly popular. To address the lack of consensus on the optimal imaging modality, we compared the outcomes of preprocedural TOE versus CT for LAAO procedure planning.

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Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) have displayed promising therapeutic potential. Nonetheless, no United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved MSC product exists due largely to the absence of a reliable potency assay based on the mechanisms of action to ensure consistent efficacy. MSCs are now thought to exert their effects primarily by releasing small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) of 50-200 nm.

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Introduction: Alcohol flushing syndrome (AFS) is experienced by up to 46% of East Asians. This study aimed to review the risk of cancers in AFS patients, elucidate an exposure-response relationship, and understand risk associated with alcohol intake and cancer.

Method: An electronic database search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines.

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Unlabelled: Oligosaccharides have been widely used as prebiotics in the food industry, however their properties have been examined in vitro, without considering hydrolysis in the human digestive tract, especially in the small intestine. Here, we hypothesized that the prebiotic effects and utilization efficiency of ingested oligosaccharides would be altered in the colon, as their structures are partially hydrolyzed during digestion. Different types of oligosaccharides were partially degraded during simulated digestion, and digestible monosaccharides were released from the initial substrates.

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Among the graft options for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), hamstring autografts are widely regarded as the preferred choice for primary ACLR among orthopedic surgeons worldwide. However, concerns persist regarding postoperative knee flexor weakness. We aimed to compare knee extensor and flexor strengths between hamstring autograft and tibialis anterior allograft groups in ACLR patients, who were propensity score-matched based on baseline characteristics.

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Background: Reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) results in herpes zoster (HZ), which is a painful unilateral rash with a typical dermatomal distribution. HZ may be followed by postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), vasculopathy, myelopathy, retinal necrosis, and cerebellitis. Vasculopathy can cause ischemic stroke, aneurysms, arterial dissection, transient ischemic attack, and rarely, peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

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Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell-derived small extracellular vesicles (MSC-sEVs) are promising therapeutic agents. In this study, we investigated how the administration route of MSC-sEVs affects their therapeutic efficacy in a mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced skin scleroderma (SSc). We evaluated the impact of topical (TOP), subcutaneous (SC), and intraperitoneal (IP) administration of MSC-sEVs on dermal fibrosis, collagen density, and thickness.

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Background: Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) is a clinically heterogeneous disease. The ability to identify subgroups of patients with shared traits (subphenotypes) is an unmet need to allow patient stratification for clinical management and research. We aimed to test the hypothesis that clinically relevant subphenotypes can be reproducibly identified among patients with SAB.

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Background: Remimazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine newly approved for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. Remimazolam emerges as an ideal drug for the neurosurgical population due to its rapid emergence, enabling early neurological assessment, and its ability to maintain perfusion pressure, which is crucial for preventing cerebral ischemia. However, the use of benzodiazepine has been associated with an increased risk of postoperative delirium (POD).

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