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.

Genome-Wide Association Study to Identify Genetic Factors Linked to HBV Reactivation Following Liver Transplantation in HBV-Infected Patients.

This study utilized a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to investigate the genetic variations linked to the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in patients who have undergone liver transplantation (LT), aiming to enhance understanding and improve clinical outcomes. Genotyping performed on a selected patients from the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry (KOTRY) data using high-throughput platforms with the Axiom Korea Biobank array 1.1.

Identification and validation of soft tissue sarcoma-specific transcriptomic model for predicting radioresistance.

Purpose: We aimed to identify the transcriptomic signatures of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) related to radioresistance and establish a model to predict radioresistance.

Materials And Methods: Nine STS cell lines were cultured. Adenosine triphosphate-based viability was determined 5 days after irradiation with 8 Gy of X-rays in a single fraction.

Automated quantitative pupillometry as a predictor for transtentorial brain herniation in patients with malignant acute ischemic stroke.

Brain herniation can be a life-threatening condition, resulting in poor prognosis and higher fatality rates. We examined whether quantitative characteristics of sequential pupillary light reflex (PLR) could serve as biomarkers for identifying brain herniation in fatal acute stroke cases with anterior circulation involvement admitted to neurological intensive care unit (Neuro-ICU). Automatic pupillometer assessed PLR automatically every 4-6 hours, measuring eight specific features: NPi (Neurological pupil index) score, initial resting and constriction pupil size, constriction change, constriction velocity, constriction latency, and dilation velocity.

Harnessing the Power of Machine Learning Guided Discovery of NLRP3 Inhibitors Towards the Effective Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The NLRP3 inflammasome, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by activating inflammatory cytokines such as IL1β and IL18. Targeting NLRP3 has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for RA. In this study, a multidisciplinary approach combining machine learning, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling, structure-activity landscape index (SALI), docking, molecular dynamics (MD), and molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area MM/PBSA assays was employed to identify novel NLRP3 inhibitors.

A multicenter micro-costing analysis of flexible cystoscopic procedures in Korea.

Purpose: This study aims to develop and implement an economic evaluation using a micro-costing approach to provide a precise and transparent analysis of the direct costs of cystoscopic procedures in Korean hospitals. The study seeks to identify key cost components and evaluate whether current reimbursement rates accurately reflect these direct costs.

Materials And Methods: Significant variations in cost items were identified across different studies.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of natural compounds against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): a computational approach.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths globally. Despite advancements in treatment, drug resistance and adverse side effects have spurred the search for novel therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to investigate how the can inhibit key targets involved in HCC progression.

Bioadhesives and bioactive hydrogels for wound management.

Delayed wound healing remains a major challenge in biomedical research, often leading to complications such as scarring, acute trauma, and chronic diseases. Effective wound management is crucial for enhancing treatment outcomes, preventing complications, and promoting tissue regeneration. In response to this need, a variety of polymeric biomaterials have been developed.

Immunomodulation Effects of Porcine Cartilage Acellularized Matrix (pCAM) for Osteoarthritis Treatment.

Background: Pain reduction, immunomodulation, and cartilage repair are key therapeutic goals in osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of porcine cartilage acellularized matrix (pCAM) derived from naive tissue and compared it with the synthetic material polynucleotides (PN) for OA treatment.

Methods: pCAM was produced from porcine cartilage through physicochemical processing.

Proactive Surgical Management and Outcomes of Unilateral Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures in Major Trauma Patients: A National Level I Center Experience.

Objective: Managing facial trauma in patients with severe polytrauma presents significant challenges due to competing priorities, poor systemic conditions, and delayed surgical timing. At a national level I trauma center, the authors evaluated the feasibility and outcomes of proactive surgical intervention for unilateral zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures in severe trauma patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included 81 patients with unilateral ZMC fractures treated at a regional level I trauma center between October 2019 and August 2021.

Establishment of Local Diagnostic Reference Levels for Pediatric Neck CT at Nine University Hospitals in South Korea.

Objective: To establish local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for pediatric neck CT based on age, weight, and water-equivalent diameter (WED) across multiple university hospitals in South Korea.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study analyzed pediatric neck CT examinations from nine university hospitals, involving patients aged 0-18 years. Data were categorized by age, weight, and WED, and radiation dose metrics, including volume CT dose index (CTDI) and dose length product, were recorded.

Radiofrequency Ablation for Recurrent Thyroid Cancers: 2025 Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology Guideline.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Multiomic quantification of the KRAS mutation dosage improves the preoperative prediction of survival and recurrence in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Most cancer mutation profiling studies are laboratory-based and lack direct clinical application. For clinical use, it is necessary to focus on key genes and integrate them with relevant clinical variables. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the dosage of the KRAS G12 mutation, a key pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) variant and to investigate the biological mechanism of the prognosis associated with the dosage of the KRAS G12 mutation.

Deciphering risk factors for severe postherpetic neuralgia in patients with herpes zoster: an interpretable machine learning approach.

Introduction: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common complication of herpes zoster (HZ). This study aimed to use a large real-world electronic medical records database to determine the optimal machine learning model for predicting the progression to severe PHN and to identify the associated risk factors.

Methods: We analyzed the electronic medical records of 23,326 patients diagnosed with HZ from January 2010 to June 2020.

Predictors for the Development of Hypergastrinemia in Maintenance Treatment for Mild Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Using a Half-dose Proton Pump Inhibitor.

Background/aims: Serum gastrin levels may be elevated following proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. We aim to elucidate the predictors for the development of hypergastrinemia in maintenance treatment for mild gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) using a half-dose PPI.

Methods: This study analyzed data from a prospective randomized trial to compare continuous versus on-demand maintenance treatment modalities in patients with mild GERD.