Inhibition of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore as a promising target for protecting auditory function in cisplatin-induced hearing loss.

mPTP is a multi-protein complex that opens in mitochondria during cell death. Cisplatin-induced hearing loss is also known to be caused by mPTP opening. Thus, our study evaluated the protective effect of a novel mPTP inhibitor named DBP-iPT against cisplatin-induced hearing loss.

Clinical implications of cerebral venous outflow pattern in malignant middle cerebral artery infarction.

Background: Malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction is one of the most devastating strokes. However, the role of the cerebral venous outflow pattern in malignant MCA infarction is not well established. We investigated the association between the transverse sinus (TS) shape and functional outcomes in patients with malignant MCA infarction.

DDQ-catalyzed oxidative α-allylation of isochromans under aerobic conditions.

The allylation of isochromans at the α-position aerobic DDQ (2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone) catalysis is described. This process involves the DDQ oxidation of various isochromans under mild conditions to generate oxocarbenium intermediates, which are effectively stabilized in equilibration in the presence of acid before undergoing allylation. Molecular oxygen and -butyl nitrite are employed as an environmentally benign oxidant and mediator, respectively, in the catalytic cycle.

Muscle Mass Index Decline as a Predictor of Lung Function Reduction in the General Population.

Background: This study explores the link between muscle mass decline and lung function deterioration, which can worsen respiratory health by reducing exercise capacity and quality of life. The relationship between muscle mass index (MMI) changes and lung function in the general population remains unclear, especially as muscle mass fluctuates with aging. We aimed to clarify this dynamic relationship by examining how changes in muscle mass impact pulmonary function and the development of respiratory symptoms.

Combinatorial Effects of Terpene, Chenodeoxycholic Acid, and Ursodeoxycholic Acid on Common Bile Duct Stone Recurrence and Gallbladder Stone Dissolution.

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) plus UDCA (C&U), and terpene are widely administered to prevent common bile duct (CBD) stone recurrence and dissolve gallbladder (GB) stones. We evaluated and compared the combined effects of these agents on CBD stone recurrence and GB stone resolution. This study included patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at six referral centers, retrospectively.

Changes in Gene Expression Related to Atopic Dermatitis in Mothers and Infants Following VOC Exposure.

Environmental pollutants, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are associated with various diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD). However, despite numerous studies on AD, there is a lack of research on the impact of various environmental exposures on mothers and infants. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of maternal exposure to specific VOCs (toluene, xylene, and benzene) on the expression of AD-related genes in mothers and their infants.

The Therapeutic Effects of SP-8356, a Verbenone Derivative, with Multimodal Cytoprotective Mechanisms in an Ischemic Stroke Rat Model.

An ischemic cerebral stroke results from the interruption of blood flow to the brain, triggering rapid and complex cascades of excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Current reperfusion therapies, including intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, cause further brain injury due to reperfusion-induced cytotoxicity. To date, novel cytoprotective therapies that could address these challenges have yet to be developed, likely due to the limitations of targeting a single pathologic mechanism.

Validation of Artificial Intelligence Computer-Aided Detection of Colonic Neoplasm in Colonoscopy.

Background/objectives: Controlling colonoscopic quality is important in the detection of colon polyps during colonoscopy as it reduces the overall long-term colorectal cancer risk. Artificial intelligence has recently been introduced in various medical fields. In this study, we aimed to validate a previously developed artificial intelligence (AI) computer-aided detection (CADe) algorithm called ALPHAON and compare outcomes with previous studies that showed that AI outperformed and assisted endoscopists of diverse levels of expertise in detecting colon polyps.

Validation of Artificial Intelligence Computer-Aided Detection on Gastric Neoplasm in Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Background/objectives: Gastric cancer ranks fifth for incidence and fourth in the leading causes of mortality worldwide. In this study, we aimed to validate previously developed artificial intelligence (AI) computer-aided detection (CADe) algorithm, called ALPHAON in detecting gastric neoplasm.

Methods: We used the retrospective data of 500 still images, including 5 benign gastric ulcers, 95 with gastric cancer, and 400 normal images.

Ternary Logic Transistors Using Multi-Stacked 2D Electron Gas Channels in Ultrathin Oxide Heterostructures.

2D electron gas field-effect transistors (2DEG-FETs), employing 2DEG formed at an interface of ultrathin (≈6 nm) AlO/ZnO heterostructure as the active channel, exhibit outstanding drive current (≈215 µA), subthreshold swing (≈132 mV dec), and field effect mobility (≈49.6 cm V s) with a high on/off current ratio of ≈10. It is demonstrated that the AlO upper layer in AlO/ZnO heterostructure acts as the source/drain resistance component during transistor operations, and the applied potential to the 2DEG channel is successfully modulated by AlO thickness variations so that the threshold voltage (V) is effectively tuned.

Associations of Blood Lipid-Related Polygenic Scores, Lifestyle Factors and Their Combined Effects with Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in the UK Biobank Cohort.

Circulating lipids play a crucial role in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, it is unclear whether the genetic susceptibility to hyperlipidemia may interact with lifestyle factors in CAD risk. Using UK Biobank data from 328,606 participants, we evaluated combined effects of genetic susceptibility to hyperlipidemia and lifestyle factors with risk of CAD.

Deeply Implantable, Shape-Morphing, 3D MicroLEDs for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy.

Controlled photooxidation-mediated disruption of collagens in the tumor microenvironment can reduce desmoplasia and enhance immune responsiveness. However, achieving effective light delivery to solid tumors, particularly those with dynamic volumetric changes like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), remains challenging and limits the repeated and sustained photoactivation of drugs. Here, 3D, shape-morphing, implantable photonic devices (IPDs) are introduced that enable tumor-specific and continuous light irradiation for effective metronomic photodynamic therapy (mPDT).

Development of a CT image-based virtual atelectasis simulation model and noninvasive lung nodule localization system.

Background: In the process of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung nodule resection, lung is leaded to atelectasis. However, preoperative computed tomography (CT) images are taken during inspiration, which means they differ significantly from the lung status observed during surgery. Consequently, this discrepancy can make the localization of small or subsolid nodules challenging during the operation.

Effect of Preoperative Acupuncture and Epidural Steroid Injection on Early Postoperative Infection After Lumbar Spinal Fusion.

Background: Acupuncture and epidural steroid injection (ESI) are frequently performed in patients with degenerative lumbar disease. The purpose of this study was to explore preoperative acupuncture and ESI as risk factors for postoperative infection after elective lumbar fusion.

Methods: Patients >50 years of age who underwent spinal fusion due to degenerative lumbar disease from 2010 to 2019 were identified by diagnostic and procedural codes using a nationwide database.

Epilepsy is associated with the accelerated aging of brain activity in sleep.

Objective: Although seizures are the cardinal feature, epilepsy is associated with other forms of brain dysfunction including impaired cognition, abnormal sleep, and increased risk of developing dementia. We hypothesized that, given the widespread neurologic dysfunction caused by epilepsy, accelerated brain aging would be seen. We measured the sleep-based brain age index (BAI) in a diverse group of patients with epilepsy.

Ethmoid Sinus Mucocele Penetrating the Anterior Skull Base: A Case Report.

Sinus mucoceles are nonmalignant cystic tumors lined by non-neoplastic epithelium, typically involving the frontal and ethmoid sinuses. Although it is common for these mucoceles to cause destruction of surrounding bone tissue due to their growth, cerebrospinal fluid leaks resulting from skull base penetration by an ethmoid sinus mucocele have rarely been reported. A 24-year-old male patient presented with right proptosis and right periorbital pain, who underwent bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery 12 years ago.

Prognostic Factors Related to Sleep Quality in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea After Positive Airway Pressure Therapy.

Background And Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the factors that influence deep sleep restoration in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) following positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy.

Methods: In total, 363 patients diagnosed with OSA who received PAP therapy over at least 3 months were enrolled in the study. Polysomnographic parameters, anatomical characteristics, and subjective sleep-related parameters were evaluated according to the presence of daytime sleepiness and morning headache before and after 3 months of PAP treatment.

Isolated Sphenoid Fungal Sinusitis With Mucocele Mistaken for Chordoma: A Study of Two Unique Cases.

Isolated sphenoid fungal sinusitis (ISFS) is a rare condition characterized by fungal infection of the sphenoid sinus. It often presents with non-specific symptoms, which can lead to misdiagnosis. This study presents two unique cases of ISFS with mucocele that were initially misdiagnosed as chordoma based on preoperative radiographic findings.

Rifaximin treatment in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis: A multicenter, randomized controlled, open-label, pilot trial.

Introduction And Objectives: The short-term mortality of severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) is high, but there are no effective treatments to improve short-term mortality other than corticosteroids. This study investigated the effects of adding rifaximin to standard treatment in patients with SAH.

Material And Methods: In this randomized controlled open-label trial, patients with SAH (Maddrey's discriminant function≥32) were randomized to the rifaximin or control group.

Feasibility and Safety of ArtiSential for Minimally Invasive Surgery in Early-stage Gynecologic Cancer: Results from the KGOG 4002/GYANT Study.

Objectives: The objective is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of ArtiSential for performing minimally invasive surgeries for gynecological cancers.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study at 10 Tertiary Institutional Hospitals in Korea between November 2021 and April 2022. Eligible patients were 18 years or older and planned to undergo minimally invasive surgery for gynecologic cancer.

Enhancing Oncological Surveillance Through Large Language Model-Assisted Analysis: A Comparative Study of GPT-4 and Gemini in Evaluating Oncological Issues From Serial Abdominal CT Scan Reports.

Rationale And Objectives: We aimed to compare the capabilities of two leading large language models (LLMs), GPT-4 and Gemini, in analyzing serial radiology reports, to highlight oncological issues that require further clinical attention.

Materials And Methods: This study included 205 patients, each with two consecutive radiological reports. We designed a prompt comprising a three-step task to analyze report findings using LLMs.

Timing dilemma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of short-term mortality in patients with COVID-19 undergoing tracheostomy with varied timing, including 7, 10 and 14 days.

Objective: To analyse the effects of tracheostomy timing on COVID-19 outcomes by comparing mortality rates at different time points (7, 10 and 14 days).

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scopus were searched from 31 August 2023 to 6 September 2023.

Polystyrene nanoplastics promote the blood-brain barrier dysfunction through autophagy pathway and excessive erythrophagocytosis.

There is increasing concern regarding the risks posed by plastics to human health. Nano-sized plastics enter the body through various exposure routes. Although nano-sized particles circulate through the bloodstream and access the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the harmful impacts of nano-sized plastics on BBB function including endothelial cells are not well known.

New-Onset Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Among Korean Youths During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: Whether COVID-19 contributes to youth-onset diabetes is controversial, and research in Asia is lacking.

Objective: To explore the incidence and severity of diabetes among youths during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study used claims data for January 1, 2017, through February 28, 2022, from the National Health Insurance Service database in South Korea.