Nano-organization of synapses defines synaptic release properties at cortical neuron dendritic spines.

Visualization of the submicron organization of excitatory synapses has revealed an unexpectedly ordered architecture consisting of nanocolumns of synaptic proteins that group into nanomodules which scale in number as spine size increases. How these features are related to synaptic function has remained unclear. Here, using super-resolution followed by live-cell line-scan imaging, we find that the size of the smallest miniature calcium and glutamate events are the same, regardless of whether spines have one or two nanopuncta of PSD-95, and that miniature synaptic response in all spines are best fit by a three term Poisson.

Improved Hematology Analysis Based on Microfluidic Impedance Spectroscopy: Erythrocyte Orientation and Anisotropic Dielectric Properties of Flowing Blood.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has great potential for laboratory blood tests. The overall aim of this study is to develop a microfluidic sensor for determining the physical properties and hematological parameters of blood based on its dielectric spectra. Impedance was measured in flowing blood to prevent aggregation and sedimentation at frequencies between 40 Hz and 110 MHz.

Therapy-related myeloid neoplasms in Korean patients with ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer treated with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors.

Background: Prior prospective studies have demonstrated the efficacy of poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) in various cancers with mutations in the breast cancer gene (), such as ovarian and breast cancers. However, PARPi have also been associated with an increased incidence of therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MNs). This study aimed to investigate the incidence of t-MNs following PARPi therapy in patients with ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer in Korea and to identify related risk factors.

Ferromagnetic Nickel as a Sustainable Reducing Agent for Tin-Lead Mixed Perovskite in Single-Junction and Tandem Solar Cells.

Narrow-bandgap (NBG) Sn-Pb mixed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) represent a promising solution for surpassing the radiative efficiency of single-junction solar cells. The unique bandgap tunability of halide perovskites enables optimal tandem configurations of wide-bandgap (WBG) and NBG subcells. However, these devices are limited by the susceptibility of Sn in the NBG bottom cell to being oxidized to Sn, creating detrimental Sn vacancies.

The collagen-augmented chondrogenesis technique demonstrates superior cartilage repair compared to microfracture for cartilage defects of the knee joint, regardless of age.

Purpose: This study investigated whether age affects clinical outcomes and cartilage repair quality in patients who underwent collagen-augmented chondrogenesis.

Methods: The study included patients who underwent either the collagen-augmented chondrogenesis technique or microfracture for cartilage defects of the knee joint of International Cartilage Repair Society grade 3 or 4. Patients were categorised according to an age threshold of 50 years and the treatment method, whether collagen-augmented chondrogenesis technique or microfracture.

Rapid bone destruction caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa septic arthritis: A case report.

Rationale: Infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa are strongly associated with poor outcomes, including prolonged hospitalization and an increased risk of mortality. Antimicrobial options for the treatment of severe infections due to MDR P aeruginosa are quite limited, and treatment remains challenging.

Patient Concerns: A 65-year-old woman presented to our orthopedic clinic with a 3-month history of progressive pain and stiffness in her left knee.

Mitigated toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics in combination exposure with copper ions by transformation into copper (I) oxide: Inhibits the oxidative potential of nanoplastics.

The combined impact of trace metals and polystyrene (PS) microplastics is extremely concerning for human health because PS microplastics can serve as a vehicle for other contaminants. Herein, we investigated the combined effect of copper ions (Cu) on the toxicity of PS nanoplastics in vivo and in vitro. The pristine PS (PPS) and ultraviolet irradiated oxidized PS (OPS) nanoplastics with 50 nm-size were conjugated with Cu (13-27 mg/g) for 4 days to get four types of samples: PPS, OPS, PPS/Cu, and OPS/Cu.

Ipsilateral dual cannulation is associated with wound complications following veno-arterial ECMO decannulation.

Background: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is a well-established treatment for severe cardio-pulmonary failure. The use of large bore cannulas in the femoral vessels for an extended period has been associated with significant wound complications. There is a lack of data analyzing risk factors that can mitigate such complications.

Effects of ultraviolet rays and particulate matter on hair porosity in damaged hair.

Background: With growing interest in hair health, researchers are exploring aspects beyond the surface qualities of hair, such as its porous inner structure. While previous studies have focused on the effects of treatments such as perming and hair dying on hair porosity, less emphasis has been paid to the effects of harmful environmental factors such as ultraviolet (UV) rays and particulate matter on the porous nature of hair.

Aims: The aim of this study was to bridge this gap by investigating how UV rays and particulate matter affect hair porosity in different ways.

Programmable Retention Characteristics in MoS-Based Atomristors for Neuromorphic and Reservoir Computing Systems.

In this study, we investigate the coexistence of short- and long-term memory effects owing to the programmable retention characteristics of a two-dimensional Au/MoS/Au atomristor device and determine the impact of these effects on synaptic properties. This device is constructed using bilayer MoS in a crossbar structure. The presence of both short- and long-term memory characteristics is proposed by using a filament model within the bilayer transition-metal dichalcogenide.

Secondary hematological malignancies in patients with sarcoma: A single‑center retrospective study.

The present retrospective study investigated the clinical features and prognosis of secondary hematological malignancies (SHMs) in patients with sarcoma at Korea Cancer Center Hospital (Seoul, South Korea). Patients who had been diagnosed with SHMs after having received treatment for sarcoma between January 2000 and May 2023 were enrolled. Clinical data were collected from the patients' medical records.

One-Step Detection of Vancomycin in Whole Blood Using the Lateral Flow Immunoassay.

Vancomycin (VAN) is an effective antibiotic against Gram-positive bacteria and the first-line therapy to prevent and treat methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and severe infections. However, low concentrations of VAN can result in resistant strains. High doses of VAN can cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity; thus, VAN is a representative drug for which drug monitoring is recommended.

Volatile and Nonvolatile Resistive Switching Coexistence in Conductive Point Hexagonal Boron Nitride Monolayer.

Recently, we demonstrated the nonvolatile resistive switching effects of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) atomristor structures based on two-dimensional (2D) monolayers. However, there are many remaining combinations between 2D monolayers and metal electrodes; hence, there is a need to further explore 2D resistance switching devices from material selections to future perspectives. This study investigated the volatile and nonvolatile switching coexistence of monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) atomristors using top and bottom silver (Ag) metal electrodes.

The efficacy of newly proposed gastric open peroral endoscopic myotomy (GO-POEM) in preventing post-endoscopic submucosal dissection stenosis: A comparison with non-GO-POEM group.

Extensive endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric adenoma or early cancer can lead to post-ESD stenosis. This may cause a decrease in quality of life and an increase in medical issues. Therefore, this study examined the safety and effectiveness of gastric open peroral endoscopic myotomy (GO-POEM) in preventing stenosis following ESD.

TAAR1 agonist ulotaront modulates striatal and hippocampal glutamate function in a state-dependent manner.

Aberrant dopaminergic and glutamatergic function, particularly within the striatum and hippocampus, has repeatedly been associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Supported by preclinical and recent clinical data, trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonism has emerged as a potential new treatment approach for schizophrenia. While current evidence implicates TAAR1-mediated regulation of dopaminergic tone as the primary circuit mechanism, little is known about the effects of TAAR1 agonists on the glutamatergic system and excitation-inhibition balance.

A Phase II Study of I-rituximab for Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Marginal Zone Lymphoma.

Background: Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is a rare treatment option for relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). We investigated the safety and efficacy of I-rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphomas.

Methods: Patients with pathologically confirmed marginal zone lymphoma who relapsed or were resistant to prior therapy were enrolled.

Treatment of Soft Tissue Defects after Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis in Fractures of the Distal Tibia: Clinical Results after Reverse Sural Artery Flap.

: Distal tibial fractures make up approximately 3% to 10% of all tibial fractures or about 1% of lower extremity fractures. MIPO is an appropriate procedure and method to achieve stable metal plate fixation and osseointegration by minimizing soft tissue damage and vascular integrity at the fracture site. MIPO to the medial tibia during distal tibial fractures induces skin irritation due to the thickness of the metal plate, which causes discomfort and pain on the medial side of the distal leg, and if severe, complications such as infection and skin defect may occur.

Assessing Health and Economic Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Cardiovascular Disease in the Republic of Korea.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of mortality worldwide and imposes a significant social burden on many countries.

Methods: This study assessed the health and economic benefits of omega-3 associated with CVD. The meta-analysis estimated the risk ratio (RR) and absolute risk reduction (ARR), and the economic impact was calculated using direct and indirect costs related to CVD treatments in Korean adults.

Size- and oxidative potential-dependent toxicity of environmentally relevant expanded polystyrene styrofoam microplastics to macrophages.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS), also known as Styrofoam, is a widespread global pollutant, and its lightweight floating property increases its chances of weathering by abrasion and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, resulting in microplastics. Herein, we investigated the effects of particle size ((1 µm versus 10 µm), UV irradiation (pristine versus UV oxidation), and origin (secondary versus primary) on the toxicity of Styrofoam microplastics. The target cells used in this study were selected based on human exposure-relevant cell lines: differentiated THP-1 cells for macrophages, Caco-2 for enterocytes, HepG2 for hepatocytes, and A549 for alveolar epithelial cells.

P Glutamine isosteres in the design of inhibitors of 3C/3CL protease of human viruses of the class.

Viral infections are one of the leading causes of acute morbidity in humans and much endeavour has been made by the synthetic community for the development of drugs to treat associated diseases. Peptide-based enzyme inhibitors, usually short sequences of three or four residues, are one of the classes of compounds currently under development for enhancement of their activity and pharmaceutical properties. This review reports the advances made in the design of inhibitors targeting the family of highly conserved viral proteases 3C/3CL, which play a key role in viral replication and present minimal homology with mammalian proteases.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and changes in brain cortical thickness and an Alzheimer's disease-specific marker for cortical atrophy in adults: A longitudinal neuroimaging study of the EPINEF cohort.

Although several epidemiological studies have suggested that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may induce brain atrophy, no longitudinal study has investigated the effect of PAH exposure on brain structural changes. This study examined the longitudinal associations between urinary PAH metabolites and brain cortical thickness. We obtained urinary concentrations of PAH metabolites and brain magnetic resonance images from 327 adults (≥50 years of age) without dementia at baseline and 3-year follow-up.

Cell-type specific defects in PTEN-mutant cortical organoids converge on abnormal circuit activity.

De novo heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) are strongly associated with autism spectrum disorders; however, it is unclear how heterozygous mutations in this gene affect different cell types during human brain development and how these effects vary across individuals. Here, we used human cortical organoids from different donors to identify cell-type specific developmental events that are affected by heterozygous mutations in PTEN. We profiled individual organoids by single-cell RNA-seq, proteomics and spatial transcriptomics and revealed abnormalities in developmental timing in human outer radial glia progenitors and deep-layer cortical projection neurons, which varied with the donor genetic background.

Rapid generation of aged tire-wear particles using dry-, wet-, and cryo-milling for ecotoxicity testing.

Strict environmental laws have been enacted to regulate the emission of exhaust particulate matter (PM), which is one of the most hazardous pollutants that reduce air quality and pose a serious risk to the human health. In addition, non-exhaust PM, such as road wear, tire wear, and brake wear debris, is a significant source of airborne pollutants. Road dust less than 100 μm in size may include tire wear particles (TWPs), which are broken down into finer particles with sizes on the order of tens of micrometers because of weathering.

Comparative Study between Sulfurized MoS from Molybdenum and Molybdenum Trioxide Precursors for Thin-Film Device Applications.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have been studied as an emerging class of nanomaterials owing to their attractive properties in nearly every field of science and technology. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS) is one of the more promising candidates of these atomically thin 2D materials for its technological potential. The facile synthesis of MoS remains a matter of broad interest.

A Prospective Analysis of the SVS WIfI Classification System to Stratify Immediate and 1-Year Patient Outcomes.

The purpose of this study was to prospectively enroll patients that presented to the emergency department with a lower extremity infection, stratify risk and record outcomes. Risk stratification was performed based on the Society of Vascular Surgery Wound, foot Infection, and Ischemia (WIfI) classification system. This study aimed to establish the efficacy and validity of this classification in predicting patient outcomes during immediate hospitalization and throughout a 1 year follow up.