Pediatric cerebrospinal fluid immune profiling distinguishes pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis from other pediatric-onset acute neurological disorders.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) provides a unique glimpse into the central nervous system (CNS) compartment and offers insights into immune processes associated with both healthy immune surveillance as well as inflammatory disorders of the CNS. The latter include demyelinating disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), that warrant different therapeutic approaches yet are not always straightforward to distinguish on clinical and imaging grounds alone. Here, we establish a comprehensive phenotypic landscape of the pediatric CSF immune compartment across a range of non-inflammatory and inflammatory neurological disorders, with a focus on better elucidating CNS-associated immune mechanisms potentially involved in, and discriminating between, pediatric-onset MS (MS) and other pediatric-onset suspected neuroimmune disorders, including MOGAD.

Revisiting Phryma leptostachya L.: phylogenetic relationships and biogeographical patterns from complete plastome.

Background: Phryma leptostachya L. is a notable example of a species with a disjunct distribution, found in both East Asia and Eastern North America. Despite the striking morphological similarities between these geographically isolated populations, molecular evidence suggests that they may have diverged sufficiently to be considered distinct taxa.

Molecular Mosaics: Unveiling Heterogeneity in Synchronous Colorectal Cancers.

Purpose: Molecular characteristics of synchronous colorectal cancers (SCRCs) remain incompletely elucidated, despite their importance in targeted therapy selection. We compared the molecular characteristics and somatic mutations between SCRCs.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study (2012-2014) included 98 consecutive patients with surgically resected SCRCs.

Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit Neural Network for Fault Diagnosis and Rapid Maintenance in Medium-Voltage Direct Current Systems.

With the growing penetration of renewable energy sources, ensuring the stability and reliability of Medium-Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) systems has become more critical than ever. A single fault in MVDC systems can cause significant disturbances, necessitating rapid and precise diagnostics to prevent equipment damage and maintain continuous power supply. In this work, we present a Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (Bi-GRU) model that both classifies and locates MVDC faults.

Appendiceal Neuroendocrine Tumor: Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Six Cases and Review of the Literature.

Background/aim: Appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors (ANETs) are the most prevalent type of appendiceal neoplasm and the fifth most common neuroendocrine tumor in the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we described the clinicopathological features of patients with ANET.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed the clinicopathological findings and histopathological reports of six patients diagnosed with ANET between January 2014 and December 2023 at Korea University Medical Center, Anam Hospital.

Prognostic models for progression-free survival in atypical meningioma: Comparison of machine learning-based approach and the COX model in an Asian multicenter study.

Background And Purpose: Atypical meningiomas are prevalent intracranial tumors with varied prognoses and recurrence rates. The role of adjuvant radiotherapy (ART) in atypical meningiomas remains debated. This study aimed to develop and validate a prognostic model incorporating machine learning techniques and clinical factors to predict progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with atypical meningiomas and assess the impact of ART.

Quality of life outcomes in terminal cancer patients attending regional cancer centers in South Korea: protocol for a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Patients with cancer experience physical, mental, and social pain that affects themselves and their families. The increasing cancer incidence and advances in treatment have increased the number of cancer survivors in Korea, and there is an influx of patients in Seoul and other metropolitan areas, leading to shortages of continuous care and comprehensive life support facilities. Patients must travel long distances for treatment, which poses logistical and quality-of-life challenges.

Experimental observation of spin Hall effect of light using compact weak measurements.

The spin Hall effect of light, a phenomenon characterized by the transverse and spin dependent splitting of light at an optical interface, is highly promising for collecting precise quantitative data from interfaces and stands as an appealing option for improving precision metrology. This high level of precision is attributed to the principles of weak measurement. Since its conceptual introduction, the spin Hall effect of light has been empirically observed through weak measurement techniques, adhering closely to the initially proposed experimental configuration.

Complete chloroplast genomes of three Polygala species and indel marker development for identification of authentic polygalae radix (Polygala tenuifolia).

Background: In Korea, only Polygala tenuifolia is registered as Polygalae Radix in the pharmacopoeia, while in China, both P. tenuifolia and P. sibirica are used equally.

Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infection mimicking lymphoma in an adult without diagnosed immunodeficiency: A case report.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) rarely manifest with lymphoma-like symptoms in immunocompetent adults. We report the case of a 70-year-old male with a disseminated infection. Computed tomography revealed the presence of multiple lymph nodes in various areas.

Routine Elastic Staining Helps Detection of Vascular Invasion in Colorectal Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis of T3 or Higher Tumors Without Lymph Node Metastasis.

Background/aim: Vascular invasion (VI) in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is an independent prognostic feature and a high-risk indicator for adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II CRC. This study evaluated the effect of elastic staining on VI detection.

Patients And Methods: The VI was assessed using elastic staining in 154 patients with CRC.

Stage Evaluation of Cystic Duct Cancer.

Purpose: Cystic duct cancers (CDCs) have been classified as extrahepatic bile duct cancers or gallbladder cancers (GBCs); however, it is unclear whether their clinical behavior is similar to that of distal extrahepatic bile duct cancers (DBDCs) or GBCs.

Materials And Methods: T category of the CDCs was classified using current T category scheme of the GBCs and DBDCs, and clinicopathological factors were compared among 38 CDCs, 345 GBCs, and 349 DBDCs. We modified Nakata's classifications (type 1, confined within cystic duct (CD); combined types 2-4, extension beyond CD) and compared them.

Ten-year trends of antibiotics used for patients with pneumonia at long-term care hospitals in the Republic of Korea: An analysis based on national health insurance claims data.

Aim: To determine the trends in the usage of antimicrobial drugs by patients with pneumonia with prescriptions from long-term care (LTC) hospitals in the Republic of Korea.

Method: This retrospective study was conducted from 2011 to 2022 using the National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claim data in Korea. We calculated antibiotic usage expressed as a daily defined dose (DDD) per 1000 patients per day (DID).

Facemask acne attenuation through modulation of indirect microbiome interactions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, facemasks played a pivotal role in preventing person-person droplet transmission of viral particles. However, prolonged facemask wearing causes skin irritations colloquially referred to as 'maskne' (mask + acne), which manifests as acne and contact dermatitis and is mostly caused by pathogenic skin microbes. Previous studies revealed that the putative causal microbes were anaerobic bacteria, but the pathogenesis of facemask-associated skin conditions remains poorly defined.

Disparities in cause-specific mortality by health insurance type and premium: evidence from Korean NHIS-HEALS cohort study, 2002-2019.

Background: Although one's socioeconomic status affects health outcomes, limited research explored how South Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI) system affects mortality rates. This study investigated whether health insurance type and insurance premiums are associated with mortality.

Methods: Based on the National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening cohort, 246,172 men and 206,534 women aged ≥ 40 years at baseline (2002-2003) were included and followed until 2019.

Polarization-independent edge detection based on the spin-orbit interaction of light.

In previous edge detection schemes based on the spin-orbit interaction of light, the direction and intensity of the edge-enhanced images are influenced by the incident polarization state. In this study, we develop an edge detection strategy that is insensitive to changes in both the incident polarization and the incident angle. The output intensity and transfer function remain entirely impervious to changes in incident polarization, being explicitly formulated as functions of the incident angle, specifically in terms of ⁡ and ⁡ , respectively.

Higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased vertebral osteoporotic fracture, but reduced hip fracture in men based on the National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort.

Background Context: Lipids are currently known to play an important role in bone metabolism.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) on osteoporotic fractures beyond its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.

Study Design/setting: This was a retrospective, observational study that used data from the National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening cohort database.

EGFR, HER2, and MET gene amplification and protein expression profiles in biliary tract cancer and their prognostic significance.

Background: There are limited conventional chemotherapy options for biliary tract cancers (BTCs), a heterogenous group of lethal, rare malignancies. The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) is closely associated with the progression of human malignancies through the regulation of cell cycle. Overexpression or amplification of RTKs has been investigated as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in BTC; herein, we investigate the value of such interventions.

The potential bone regeneration effects of leptin- and osteolectin-coated 3D-printed PCL scaffolds: anstudy.

This study investigated the effectiveness of bone regeneration upon the application of leptin and osteolectin to a three-dimensional (3D) printed poly(-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffold. A fused deposition modeling 3D bioprinter was used to fabricate scaffolds with a diameter of 4.5 mm, a height of 0.

Self-Powered Water Splitting of NiFeN@FeN Bifunctional Catalyst Improved Catalytic Activity and Durability by Forming FeN on Catalyst Surface via the Kirkendall Effect.

Highly efficient water splitting electrocatalyst for producing hydrogen as a renewable energy source offers potential to achieve net-zero. However, it has significant challenges in using transition metal electrocatalysts as alternatives to noble metals due to their low efficiency and durability, furthermore, the reliance on electricity generation for electrocatalysts from fossil fuels leads to unavoidable carbon emissions. Here, a highly efficient self-powered water splitting system integrated is designed with triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and NiFeN@FeN catalyst with improved catalytic activity and durability.

Reduced Alcohol Consumption and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events Among Individuals With Previously High Alcohol Consumption.

Importance: Cardiovascular benefits of mild to moderate alcohol consumption need to be validated in the context of behavioral changes. The benefits of reduced alcohol consumption among people who drink heavily across different subtypes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are unclear.

Objective: To investigate the association between reduced alcohol consumption and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in individuals who drink heavily across different CVD subtypes.

Modeling the Synergistic Impact of Yttrium 90 Radioembolization and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors on Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The impact of yttrium 90 radioembolization (Y90-RE) in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has recently gained attention. However, it is unclear how sequencing and dosage affect therapeutic efficacy. The purpose of this study was to develop a mathematical model to simulate the synergistic effects of Y90-RE and ICI combination therapy and find the optimal treatment sequences and dosages.

Pharmacokinetic Comparison Between a Fixed-Dose Combination of Atorvastatin/Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters and the Corresponding Loose Combination in Healthy Korean Male Subjects.

Purpose: Statins are widely used in combination with omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of patients with dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of atorvastatin and omega-3-acid ethyl esters between fixed-dose combination (FDC) and loose combination in healthy subjects.

Methods: A randomized, open-label, single-dose, 2-sequence, 2-treatment, 4-period replicated crossover study was performed.

Dual-wavelength metalens enables Epi-fluorescence detection from single molecules.

Single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy is at the heart of molecular biophysics research and the most sensitive biosensing assays. The growing demand for precision medicine and environmental monitoring requires the creation of miniaturized and portable sensing platforms. However, the need for highly sophisticated objective lenses has precluded the development of single molecule detection systems for truly portable devices.

A leptin-loaded poly--caprolactone 3D printing scaffold for odontoblastic differentiation in human dental pulp cells.

This study investigated the effects on odontoblast differentiation of a 3D-printed poly--caprolactone (PCL) scaffold that incorporated leptin. Material extrusion-type 3D printing with a 43 000-molecular weight PCL material was used to fabricate a PCL scaffold with a 6 mm diameter, 1 mm height, and 270-340 µm pore size. The experimental groups were PCL scaffolds (control group), PCL scaffolds with aminated surfaces (group A), and PCL scaffolds with leptin on the aminated surface (group L).