Determinants of traditional Korean medicine utilization by individuals with physical disabilities: inference of causal relationships using Korea health panel data.

Background: The demand for health management services has grown among individuals with physical disabilities. It is noteworthy that a significant proportion of this demographic has sought the services of traditional Korean medicine (TKM). Nevertheless, there is a lack of research on the characteristics of TKM utilization within this population.

Nationwide cohort study of primary open angle glaucoma risk and cardiovascular factors among in Korean glaucoma suspects.

This retrospective study investigated the risk of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) among individuals identified as glaucoma suspects and examined associated cardiovascular risk factors. We conducted a longitudinal, nationwide cohort study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS) and included 362,285 participants aged ≥ 40 years from the Korean National Health Screening Program (NHSP) without pre-existing POAG in 2009 and 2010. Of these, glaucoma suspects (n = 32,220) were defined as individuals with at least two recorded instances of the KCD code H400 for glaucoma suspect and no prior antiglaucoma medication prescriptions before health screening.

Quantifying crowding perception at large events using beacons and surveys.

Given the increasing urban population and frenetic mobility, understanding how individuals perceive crowding at large-scale events is crucial for effective crowd management and safety. This study focuses on Tokyo Big Sight in Japan exhibitions to examine participants' perceptions of peak crowding times, locations, and local density, and compare them with the actual measurements. Our methodology integrated questionnaires with beacon tag data.

Robust genome editing activity and the applications of enhanced miniature CRISPR-Cas12f1.

With recent advancements in gene editing technology using the CRISPR/Cas system, there is a demand for more effective gene editors. A key factor facilitating efficient gene editing is effective CRISPR delivery into cells, which is known to be associated with the size of the CRISPR system. Accordingly, compact CRISPR-Cas systems derived from various strains are discovered, among which Un1Cas12f1 is 2.

Coordinated representations for naturalistic memory encoding and retrieval in hippocampal neural subspaces.

Our naturalistic experiences are organized into memories through multiple processes, including novelty encoding, memory formation, and retrieval. However, the neural mechanisms coordinating these processes remain elusive. Using fMRI data acquired during movie viewing and subsequent narrative recall, we examine hippocampal neural subspaces associated with distinct memory processes and characterized their relationships.

Dexamethasone-Antibiotic Interactions in Canine Ocular Bacteria: In Vitro Susceptibility Changes in Common Corneal Infection Pathogens.

Objective: To investigate the impact of dexamethasone on the antibiotic susceptibility of common ocular pathogens in dogs and identify safe antibiotic-steroid combinations for veterinary ophthalmology.

Methods: This study utilized 30 bacterial isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Streptococcus canis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, collected from canine patients with suspected bacterial keratitis. The isolates were tested against 17 antibiotics in the presence of dexamethasone concentrations ranging from 0 to 2 mg/mL.

Efficacy and safety of home-based transcranial direct current stimulation as adjunct treatment for cognitive improvement in major depressive disorder: A double-blind, randomized, multi-site clinical trial.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). This study evaluated its antidepressant and cognitive effects as a safe, effective, home-based therapy for MDD.

Methods: This double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized trial divided participants into low-intensity (1 mA,  = 47), high-intensity (2 mA,  = 49), and sham ( = 45) groups, receiving 42 daily tDCS sessions, including weekends and holidays, targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 30 minutes.

Effect of Light Regime on Puniceispirillum marinum IMCC1322 in Nutrient-Replete Conditions.

Previous studies showed no improvement in bacterial biomass for Puniceispirillum marinum IMCC1322 under light regimes. Nevertheless, in nutrient-replete cultures with higher inoculating cell densities, strain IMCC1322 exhibited proteorhodopsin photoheterotrophy. Increasing both inoculum size and the amino acid pool can eliminate quorum sensing and starvation responses in strain IMCC1322.

Inhibition of Melanin Synthesis and Inflammation by Exosomes Derived from DB-14 Isolated from Flower.

is a lactic acid bacteria found in fermented products. In our previous study, was isolated from flowers, and its acid tolerance and antibacterial properties were thoroughly investigated. This study focuses on the inhibition of melanin synthesis and inflammation of exosomes derived from .

Effectiveness of septal swell body reduction for patients with nasal airway obstruction: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The septal swell body (SSB), a distinct anatomical structure located in the anterior nasal septum, has been recognized as a significant contributor to nasal obstruction, impacting airflow dynamics and nasal resistance. This meta-analysis evaluated the impact of septal swell body volume reduction (SSBVR).

Methods: A systematic review of studies from PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases was conducted through October 2024.

Targeted nutritional strategies in postoperative care.

Immunonutrition, which uses specific nutrients to modulate the immune response, has emerged as a vital adjunct to perioperative care. Surgery-induced stress triggers immune responses that can lead to complications, such as infections and delayed wound healing. Traditional nutritional support often overlooks the immunological needs of surgical patients.

Characterizing the microstructural transition at the gray matter-white matter interface: Implementation and demonstration of age-associated differences.

Background: The cortical gray matter-white matter interface (GWI) is a natural transition zone where the composition of brain tissue abruptly changes and is a location for pathologic change in brain disorders. While diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) is a reliable and well-established technique to characterize brain microstructure, the GWI is difficult to assess with dMRI due to partial volume effects and is normally excluded from such studies.

Methods: In this study, we introduce an approach to characterize the dMRI microstructural profile across the GWI and to assess the sharpness of the microstructural transition from cortical gray matter (GM) to white matter (WM).

Role of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibition in the antiobesity effect of J2H-1702 on adipocytes and a high-fat diet-induced NASH model.

Obesity due to excessive body fat accumulation remains a global problem. Patients with obesity have high cortisol levels, and its dysregulation is caused by increased 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) levels. The effects and mechanism of J2H-1702, an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were explored.

Feasibility of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging to predict biliary complications in living donor liver transplantation: A pilot study.

Backgrounds/aims: Liver transplantation (LT) is now a critical, life-saving treatment for patients with liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite its significant benefits, biliary complications (BCs) continue to be a major cause of postoperative morbidity. This study evaluates the fluorescence intensity (FI) of the common bile duct (CBD) utilizing near-infrared indocyanine green (ICG) imaging, and examines its association with the incidence of BCs within three months post-LT.

When Leaders Don't Walk the Walk: A National Survey of Academic Nurse Leader Perceptions of Staff Burnout.

Aim: This survey explored nurse leaders' impressions of burnout on college/school of nursing (CON/SON) administrative staff and leadership-facilitated strategies used to promote resilience building/mitigate burnout.

Background: Administrative staff are foundational to the success of a university's CON/SON, yet few studies have explored the impact of burnout in this group.

Method: Cross-sectional survey distributed to associate dean and business officer attendees of the 2022 American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Business Officers of Nursing Schools meeting (summer 2022) (n = 64).

Association of Right Bundle Branch Block with Ischemic Stroke Incidence: A UK Biobank Cohort Study.

Introduction: Right bundle branch block (RBBB) is often considered benign; however, its association with ischemic stroke (IS) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between RBBB and the incidence of IS.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the UK Biobank database (2004-2021), which included 3,634 participants with new-onset RBBB and 3,643 matched controls.

Predictive impact of clinical factors on chemosensitivity in advanced high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma according to chemotherapy response score.

The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) as a first-line therapy for advanced high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) has increased. However, several studies have reported NAC-induced platinum resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive impact of clinical factors on chemotherapy response score (CRS) and to select patients who would respond well to NAC.

Basal metabolic rate by FAO/WHO/UNU as a prognostic factor for survival in patients with gastric cancer: A cohort study.

The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is a crucial indicator of the body's energy expenditure at rest and is essential for understanding metabolic needs. This retrospective study evaluated the prognostic significance of BMR in 521 predominantly Asian patients with stage I-III gastric cancer who underwent curative-intent resection. BMR was calculated using the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization/United Nations University (FWU BMR) equation.

Clinical characteristics and autonomic balance in patients with burning mouth syndrome: A retrospective chart review.

This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) according to the low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio in the heart rate variability test and to evaluate the potential of the LF/HF ratio as an indicator for the diagnostic or predictive assessment of patients with BMS. A total of 469 patients with BMS who visited the Oral Diseases Clinic of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022, were included in the study. The patients were asked to rate their tongue pain on a visual analog scale before and after treatment.

Effects of shared decision-making on the prognosis of peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients face critical decisions in choosing kidney replacement therapy such as hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD), which significantly affect their quality of life and health outcomes. Recent studies highlight the importance of shared decision-making (SDM) in helping patients understand their treatment options and make informed choices. SDM not only improves patient satisfaction and autonomy but also emphasizes the need for comprehensive pre-dialysis education to support optimal treatment selection.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between conventional and underwater endoscopic mucosal resection for duodenal neuroendocrine tumors.

Duodenal neuroendocrine tumors are relatively rare subepithelial tumors that arise from cells of the neuroendocrine system. Small duodenal neuroendocrine tumors can be treated endoscopically because of their low potential for metastasis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of conventional and underwater endoscopic mucosal resection for duodenal neuroendocrine tumors.

3D Vertical Ferroelectric Capacitors with Excellent Scalability.

Three-dimensional vertically stacked memory is more cost-effective than two-dimensional stacked memory. Vertically stacked memory using ferroelectric materials has great potential not only in high-density memory but also in neuromorphic fields because it secures low voltage and fast operation speed. This paper presents the implementation of a ferroelectric capacitor comprising a vertical two-layer stacked structure composed of a titanium nitride (TiN)/aluminum-doped hafnium oxide/TiN configuration.

Long-term oncologic outcomes of robot-assisted versus conventional open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: Propensity-score matched anaylsis.

Background: This study aimed to compare the long-term oncologic outcomes of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) with those of conventional open esophagectomy (OE) for esophageal cancer.

Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2021, 1745 consecutive patients underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer at Asan Medical Center, Korea. Among them, we retrieved 1133 patients (mean age 63.