Role of P × receptor during focused ultrasound induced blood brain barrier modulation.

Although low-intensity focused ultrasound (LiFUS) with microbubbles is used to temporally open the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. This study aimed to analyze BBB-related alterations in the brain microenvironment after LiFUS, with a focus on the involvement of the purinergic P ×  receptor. Sprague-Dawley rats were sonicated with LiFUS at 0.

Comparative evaluation of hyaluronic acid-based dressing versus hydrocolloid dressing in rat dermal wound healing.

Background: Wound healing is a complex process influenced by a variety of environmental factors. Dressing materials play a critical role in creating barriers against contaminants, maintaining optimal moisture levels, and absorbing wound exudate. Therefore, selecting materials tailored to wound characteristics is crucial for enhancing outcomes.

Inhibition of miRNA associated with a disease-specific signature and secreted via extracellular vesicles of systemic lupus erythematosus patients suppresses target organ inflammation in a humanized mouse model.

Introduction: Distinct, disease-associated intracellular miRNA (miR) expression profiles have been observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) patients. Additionally, we have identified novel estrogenic responses in PBMCs from SLE patients and demonstrated that estrogen upregulates toll-like receptor (TLR)7 and TLR8 expression. TLR7 and TLR8 bind viral-derived single-stranded RNA to stimulate innate inflammatory responses, but recent studies have shown that miR-21, mir-29a, and miR-29b can also bind and activate these receptors when packaged and secreted in extracellular vesicles (EVs).

Motives matter more with age: Adult age differences in response to sociomoral violations.

Moral judgments and emotional reactions to sociomoral violations are heavily impacted by a perpetrator's intentions and desires, which pose a threat to social harmony. Given that older adults are more motivated to maintain interpersonal harmony relative to younger adults, older adults may be more reactive to malicious desires. In three studies, we investigated adult age differences in moral judgments and emotional reactions to sociomoral violations.

Fixing hair using a hair-fixing sheet: better than hairpins?

Identifying tumors or wounds on the scalp is difficult because hair blocks the vision during surgery and suturing. In the meantime, we have commonly used hairpins to hold the hair for a clearer view; however, we would like to suggest a new method, a "hair-fixing sheet," consisting of hook-like surface. We applied the two methods, hair-fixing sheets and hairpins, assuming several situations.

Evaluation of changes in the clinical benefits of oncology drugs over time following reimbursement using the ASCO-VF and the ESMO-MCBS.

Purpose: This study aims to estimate changes in the value of oncology drugs over time from initial data of the reimbursement decisions to subsequent publications in Korea, using two value frameworks.

Methods: We retrieved primary publications assessed for reimbursement between 2007 and July 2021 from the decision documents of Health Insurance Review and Assessment and subsequent publications made available following reimbursement decision from ClinicalTrials.Gov and PubMed databases.

Extended Time Window (>6 Hour) Mechanical Thrombectomy; Good Clinical Outcome in the Younger Age Population in Thrombectomy Cases: Relationship between Age and Prognosis.

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become increasingly common in recent years, as studies have shown that it can be an effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO). However, the efficacy of MT in the extended time window (6 to 24 h) is still uncertain. Our study aims to evaluate the outcomes of MT in the extended time window for AIS patients.

Antigen-driven T cell-macrophage interactions mediate the interface between innate and adaptive immunity in histidyl-tRNA synthetase-induced myositis.

Introduction: Previous work in humans has demonstrated that both innate and adaptive immune signaling pathways contribute to the pathogenesis of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM), a systemic autoimmune disease targeting muscle as well as extra-muscular organs. To better define interactive signaling networks in IIM, we characterized the cellular phenotype and transcriptomic profiles of muscle-infiltrating cells in our established murine model of histidyl-tRNA synthetase (HRS)-induced myositis.

Methods: Myositis was induced in wild type (WT) and various congenic/mutant strains of C57BL/6 mice through intramuscular immunization with recombinant HRS.

Navigation Guided Biopsy Is as Effective as Frame-Based Stereotactic Biopsy.

Background: Stereotactic biopsy is a standard procedure for brain biopsy. However, with advances in technology, navigation-guided brain biopsy has become a well-established alternative. Previous studies have shown that frameless stereotactic brain biopsy is as effective and safe as frame-based stereotactic brain biopsy is.

Long-lasting restoration of memory function and hippocampal synaptic plasticity by focused ultrasound in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a medical technology that non-invasively stimulates the brain and has been applied in thermal ablation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening, and neuromodulation. In recent years, numerous experiences and indications for the use of FUS in clinical and preclinical studies have rapidly expanded. Focused ultrasound-mediated BBB opening induces cognitive enhancement and neurogenesis; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated.

Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Perception of Paresthesia during Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery for Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become a well-established treatment for the management of Parkinson's disease (PD). The most common method of lead targeting utilizes microelectrode recording (MER) and intraoperative macrostimulation to confirm accurate placement of the lead. This has been significantly aided by the use of dexmedetomidine (DEX) sedation during the procedure.

Supratotal Resection of Glioblastoma: Better Survival Outcome than Gross Total Resection.

Objective: Supratotal resection (SupTR) of glioblastoma allows for a superior long-term disease control and increases overall survival. On the other hand, aggressive conventional approaches, including gross total resections (GTR), are limited by the impairment risk of adjacent eloquent areas, which may cause severe postoperative functional morbidity. This study aimed to analyze institutional cases with respect to the potential survival benefits of additional resection, including lobectomy, as a paradigm for SupTR in patients of glioblastoma.

Endogenous Neural Stem Cell Activation after Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Modulation.

Endogenous neural stem cells (eNSCs) in the adult brain, which have the potential to self-renew and differentiate into functional, tissue-appropriate cell types, have raised new expectations for neurological disease therapy. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUS)-induced blood-brain barrier modulation has been reported to promote neurogenesis. Although these studies have reported improved behavioral performance and enhanced expression of brain biomarkers after LIFUS, indicating increased neurogenesis, the precise mechanism remains unclear.

Aromatase-Inhibitor-Induced Musculoskeletal Inflammation Is Observed Independent of Oophorectomy in a Novel Mouse Model.

Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) block estrogen production and improve survival in patients with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. However, half of patients develop aromatase-inhibitor-induced arthralgia (AIIA), which is characterized by inflammation of the joints and the surrounding musculoskeletal tissue. To create a platform for future interventional strategies, our objective was to characterize a novel animal model of AIIA.

Comparison of Concordance between Chuna Manual Therapy Diagnostic Methods (Palpation, X-ray, Artificial Intelligence Program) in Lumbar Spine: An Exploratory, Cross-Sectional Clinical Study.

Before Chuna manual therapy (CMT), a manual therapy applied in Korean medicine, CMT spinal diagnosis using palpation or X-ray is performed. However, studies on the inter-rater concordance of CMT diagnostic methods, concordance among diagnostic methods, and standard CMT diagnostic methods are scarce. Moreover, no clinical studies have used artificial intelligence (AI) programs for X-ray image-based CMT diagnosis.

Direct Visualization of UV-Light on Polymer Composite Films Consisting of Light Emitting Organic Micro Rods and Polydimethylsiloxane.

We experimentally demonstrate the direct visualization of ultraviolet (UV) light using flexible polymer composite films consisting of crystalline organic tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3) micro-rods and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The representative organic mono-molecule Alq3, which is a core material of organic light-emitting diodes, was used to detect light in the invisible UV region and visualize photoluminescence (PL). Alq3 shows absorption in the UV region and light-emitting characteristics in the green region, making it an optimal material for UV visualization because of its large Stokes transition.

Factors Associated with Energy Efficiency of Focused Ultrasound Through the Skull: A Study of 3D-Printed Skull Phantoms and Its Comparison with Clinical Experiences.

While focused ultrasound (FUS) is non-invasive, the ultrasound energy is attenuated by the skull which results in differences in energy efficiency among patients. In this study, we investigated the effect of skull variables on the energy efficiency of FUS. The thickness and density of the skull and proportion of the trabecular bone were selected as factors that could affect ultrasound energy transmittance.

Comparison of concordance between chuna manual therapy diagnosis methods (palpation, X-ray, artificial intelligence program) in lumbar spine: An exploratory, cross-sectional, prospective observational study protocol.

Introduction: Chuna manual therapy (CMT) is a type of manual medicine practiced by Korean medical doctors in South Korea. Spinal diagnosis in CMT uses a system that applies manual diagnostic and X-ray tests to detect specific vertebral malpositions, based on the relative alignment across vertebral bodies. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) programs have been developed to assist in the radiological diagnosis of CMT using X-ray images.

Long-term outcomes of photodynamic therapy for a positive resection margin after conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3.

Background: Positive resection margins after conization or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (conization/LEEP) are associated with increased risks of recurrence or residual cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Herein, we investigated the long-term outcomes of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for incomplete excision of CIN3.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 73 patients treated with PDT between 2000 and 2011.

Droplet epitaxy of InAs/InP quantum dots via MOVPE by using an InGaAs interlayer.

InAs quantum dots (QDs) are grown on an InGaAs interlayer and embedded in an InP(100) matrix. They are fabricated via droplet epitaxy (DE) in a metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) reactor. Formation of metallic indium droplets on the InGaAs lattice-matched layer and their crystallization into QDs is demonstrated for the first time in MOVPE.

Early medial reconstruction combined with severely injured medial collateral ligaments can decrease residual medial laxity in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Introduction: This study aimed to describe an anatomic medial knee reconstruction technique for combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and grade III medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries and to assess knee function and stability restoration in patients who underwent primary MCL reconstruction compared with primary repair.

Methods: A total of 105 patients who had undergone anatomic ACL reconstruction between 2008 and 2017 were enrolled in this retrospective study and divided into two groups according to concomitant MCL ruptures. Group A included patients with isolated ACL ruptures without MCL injuries.