Therapeutic delivery of oxygen using artificial oxygen carriers demonstrates the possibility of treating a wide range of diseases.

Artificial oxygen carriers have emerged as potential substitutes for red blood cells in situations of major blood loss, including accidents, surgical procedures, trauma, childbirth, stomach ulcers, hemorrhagic shock, and blood vessel ruptures which can lead to sudden reduction in blood volume. The therapeutic delivery of oxygen utilizing artificial oxygen carriers as red blood cell substitutes presents a promising avenue for treating a spectrum of disease models. Apart from that, the recent advancement of artificial oxygen carriers intended to supplant conventional blood transfusions draws significant attention due to the exigencies of warfare and the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cost burden of productivity loss due to sickness presenteeism among nurses in South Korea: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: This study aimed to estimate the annual cost burden of productivity loss due to sickness presenteeism among hospital nurses in South Korea.

Background: Despite nurses being potentially more vulnerable to presenteeism, few studies have analyzed nurses' productivity losses due to sickness presenteeism.

Methods: This cross-sectional study employed an online survey in January 2023 with 607 nurses working in general/tertiary hospitals in South Korea.

Conversion Therapy for Stage IV Gastric Cancer: Report From the Expert Consensus Meeting at KINGCA WEEK 2024.

Conversion therapy is a treatment strategy that shifts from palliative systemic therapy to curative surgical treatment for primary and/or metastatic stage IV gastric cancer (GC). To address its clinical statements, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association aims to present a consensus on conversion therapy among experts attending KINGCA WEEK 2024. The KINGCA Scientific Committee and Development Working Group for Korean Practice Guidelines prepared preformulated topics and 9 clinical statements for conversion therapy.

Korean Gastric Cancer Association-Led Nationwide Survey on Surgically Treated Gastric Cancers in 2023.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023.

Materials And Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form.

Optofluidic paper-based analytical device for discriminative detection of organic substances via digital color coding.

Developing a portable yet affordable method for the discrimination of chemical substances with good sensitivity and selectivity is essential for on-site visual detection of unknown substances. Herein, we propose an optofluidic paper-based analytical device (PAD) that consists of a macromolecule-driven flow (MDF) gate and photonic crystal (PhC) coding units, enabling portable and scalable detection and discrimination of various organic chemical, mimicking the olfactory system. The MDF gate is designed for precise flow control of liquid analytes, which depends on intermolecular interactions between the polymer at the MDF gate and the liquid analytes.

Computational Insights into "Lone Pair-Lone Pair Interaction-Controlled" Isomerization in the Asymmetric Total Syntheses of (+)-3-()-Laureatin and (+)-3-()-Isolaureatin.

Described herein is our computational study to rationalize the stereoselective epimerization of α,α'--disubstituted oxolane and oxetane ketones and to the corresponding α,α'- ketones and reported in our previous total syntheses of (+)-3-()-isolaureatin () and (+)-3-()-laureatin (). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations using appropriately truncated models revealed that the α,α'- ketones are more stable than the α,α'- ketones, in very good agreement with experimental results. The computational results showed that the isomer with a longer interatomic distance between the two ring oxygen atoms was lower in energy, which suggested the presence of repulsive interactions between those oxygen atoms.

A novel machine learning model for screening the risk of obstructive sleep apnea using craniofacial photography with questionnaires.

Study Objectives: Undiagnosed or untreated moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases cardiovascular risks and mortality. Early and efficient detection is critical, given its high prevalence. We aimed to develop a practical and efficient approach for obstructive sleep apnea screening, using simple facial photography and sleep questionnaires.

Comprehensive genome-scale CRISPR knockout screening of CHO cells.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells play a pivotal role in the production of recombinant therapeutics. In the present study, we conducted a genome-scale pooled CRISPR knockout (KO) screening using a virus-free, recombinase-mediated cassette exchange-based platform in CHO-K1 host and CHO-K1 derived recombinant cells. Genome-wide guide RNA (gRNA) amplicon sequencing data were generated from cell libraries, as well as short- and long-term KO libraries, and validated through phenotypic assessment and gRNA read count distribution.

GDF15 inhibits early-stage adipocyte differentiation by enhancing HOP2 expression and suppressing C/EBPα expression.

Excessive adipocyte differentiation and accumulation contribute to the development of metabolic disorders. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) plays an essential role in energy homeostasis and is considered an anti-obesity factor; however, elevated serum levels of endogenous GDF15 have been reported in certain individuals with obesity. In this study, to gain a better understanding of this complex relationship between GDF15 levels and obesity, we investigated GDF15 expression and function during adipogenesis.

Intraoperative Facet Joint Block Reduces Pain After Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) results in less tissue damage than in other surgeries, but immediate postoperative pain occurs. Notably, facet joint widening occurs in the vertebral body after OLIF. We hypothesized that the application of a facet joint block to the area of widening would relieve facet joint pain.

Optimized synthesis of biphasic calcium phosphate: enhancing bone regeneration with a tailored β-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite ratio.

Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) is a bioceramic widely used in hard tissue engineering for bone replacement. BCP consists of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) - a highly soluble and resorbable phase - and hydroxyapatite (HA) - a highly stable phase, creating a balance between solubility and resorption, optimally supporting cell interactions and tissue growth. The β-TCP/HA ratio significantly affects the resorption, solubility, and cellular response, with a higher β-TCP ratio increasing resorption due to its solubility.

Cd99l2 regulates excitatory synapse development and restrains immediate-early gene activation.

Cd99 molecule-like 2 (Cd99l2) is a type I transmembrane protein that plays a role in the transmigration of leukocytes across vascular endothelial cells. Despite its high expression in the brain, the role of Cd99l2 remains elusive. We find that Cd99l2 is expressed primarily in neurons and positively regulates neurite outgrowth and the development of excitatory synapses.

Single-cell transcriptomics in a child with coenzyme Q10 nephropathy: potential of single-cell RNA sequencing in pediatric kidney disease.

Background: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) nephropathy is a well-known cause of hereditary steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, primarily impacting podocytes. This study aimed to elucidate variations in individual cell-level gene expression in CoQ10 nephropathy using single-cell transcriptomics.

Methods: We conducted single-cell sequencing of a kidney biopsy specimen from a 5-year-old boy diagnosed with a CoQ10 nephropathy caused by a compound heterozygous COQ2 mutation complicated with immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis.

Communication needs regarding heart failure trajectory and palliative care between patients and healthcare providers: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition with an unpredictable trajectory, making effective communication between patients and healthcare providers crucial for optimizing outcomes. This study aims to investigate and compare the communication needs regarding HF trajectory and palliative care between patients and healthcare providers and to identify factors associated with the communication needs of patients with HF.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 100 patients with HF and 35 healthcare providers.

Establishing a Three-Dimensional Coculture Module of Epithelial Cells Using Nanofibrous Membranes.

Technical hurdles in a culture of epithelial cells include dedifferentiation and loss of function. Biomimetic three-dimensional (3D) cell culture methods can enhance cell culture efficiency. This study introduces an advanced two-layered culture system intended to cultivate epithelial cells as tissue-like layers with the culture of fibroblasts within a 3D environment.

National validation of laparoscopic approach for locally advanced gastric cancer: Comparison of a randomized controlled trial and real-world practice results.

Objective: The laparoscopic approach for locally advanced gastric cancer has recently been adopted based on the results of several randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, findings from RCTs have not been examined at the national level. This study aimed to investigate the external validity of the Korean Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study-02 (KLASS-02) trial involving 13 tertiary hospitals, using data from the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA)-led nationwide survey involving 68 tertiary or general hospitals.

Sphingosylphosphorylcholine Promotes Th9 Cell Differentiation Through Regulation of Smad3, STAT5, and β-Catenin Pathways.

Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) is one of sphingomyelin-derived sphingolipids. SPC levels are increased in ascitic fluids of ovarian cancer patients and stratum corneum of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. SPC has antitumor activity against several cancer cells by reducing proliferation and migration and increasing apoptosis .

Relationships between Chronic Cough and Asthma Control and Quality-of-Life in Patients with Severe Asthma: A 6-Month Longitudinal Analysis.

Background: The prevalence and clinical implications of chronic cough (CC) in patients with severe asthma receiving asthma treatment remain relatively unknown.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between CC and asthma control and quality-of-life (QoL) in patients with severe asthma through longitudinal analysis.

Methods: Baseline and 6-month follow-up data from the Korean Severe Asthma Registry were analyzed.

Korean Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Interstitial Lung Diseases: Connective Tissue Disease Associated Interstitial Lung Disease.

Connective tissue disease (CTD) comprising a various range of autoimmune disorders is often accompanied by lung involvement, which can lead to life-threatening complications. The main types of CTDs that can present as interstitial lung disease (ILD) include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, and systemic lupus erythematosus. CTD-ILD poses a significant challenge in clinical diagnosis and management due to its heterogeneous nature and variable prognosis.

AntiT2DMP-Pred: Leveraging feature fusion and optimization for superior machine learning prediction of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Pancreatic α-amylase breaks down starch into isomaltose and maltose, which are further hydrolyzed by α-glucosidase in the intestine into monosaccharides, rapidly raising blood sugar levels and contributing to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Synthetic inhibitors of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes are used to manage T2DM but may harm organ function over time. Bioactive peptides offer a safer alternative, avoiding such adverse effects.

Rapid and receptor-free Prussian blue electrochemical sensor for the detection of pathogenic bacteria in blood.

Bloodstream bacterial infections, a major health concern due to rising sepsis rates, require prompt, cost-effective diagnostics. Conventional methods, like CO-based transduction, face challenges such as volatile metabolites, delayed gas-phase signaling, and the need for additional instruments, whereas electrochemical sensors provide rapid, sensitive, and efficient real-time detection. In this study, we developed a bioreceptor-free Prussian blue (PB) sensor platform for real-time bacterial growth monitoring in blood culture.

Channel-Hopping Sequence and Searching Algorithm for Rendezvous of Spectrum Sensing.

In this paper, we propose a method for applying the -ary m-sequence as a channel-searching pattern for rendezvous in the asymmetric channel model of cognitive radio. We mathematically analyzed and calculated the ETTR when the m-sequence is applied to the conventional scheme, and our simulation results demonstrated that the ETTR performance is significantly better than that of the JS algorithm. Furthermore, we introduced a new channel-searching scheme that maximizes the benefits of the m-sequence and proposed a method to adapt the generation of the m-sequence for use in the newly proposed scheme.