Exosomes and Exosome-Mimetics for Atopic Dermatitis Therapy.

Background: Exosomes and exosome mimetics are used as alternatives to cell therapy. They have shown potential in treating skin disorders by fortifying the skin barrier, mediating angiogenesis, and regulating the immune response while minimizing side effects. Currently, numerous studies have applied exosome therapy to treat atopic dermatitis (AD) caused by a weakened skin barrier and chronic inflammation.

Acute kidney injury after non-cardiac major surgery: has it reduced?

Background: It remains unclear whether the incidence of post-operative acute kidney injury (PO-AKI) has been reduced despite the recent emphasis on its early recognition and prevention in clinical practice. We aimed to investigate the trend in the incidence of PO-AKI and to identify the associated factors affecting its changes.

Methods: We gathered clinical data from patients who underwent non-cardiac major surgeries at three referral hospitals from 2005 to 2020.

Switching to Besifovir in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Receiving Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate: A Randomized Trial.

Background/aims: Besifovir (BSV) showed comparable antiviral activity superior safety profiles to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, no data are available regarding the antiviral efficacy and safety of BSV in patients with CHB who switched from long-term TDF to BSV. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of a 48-week BSV therapy in patients with CHB who switched from long-term TDF treatment.

Association of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution with osteoporosis among cancer survivors: Results from the Korea National Health and nutrition examination survey.

Introduction: Recent studies suggest that ambient air pollution may contribute to osteoporosis; however, research focusing on populations with greater susceptibility is lacking. This study seeks to explore the association between air pollution and osteoporosis focusing on cancer survivors.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed data from 8977 individuals (2245 cancer survivors, 6732 cancer-free population) obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) during 2007-2009 and 2015-2021.

Psychosocial programs to alleviate fertility-related distress in patients with cancer: A mixed-methods systematic review.

Purpose: This mixed-methods systematic review aimed to identify the key components of psychosocial programs for fertility-related distress in patients with cancer and integrate the findings from quantitative and qualitative studies.

Methods: A search for relevant studies published between January 2012 and March 2024 was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Review Library databases. Data were synthesized using a sequential descriptive design.

Efficacy of observational learning on nursing students' learning outcomes in delirium care simulation: A parallel-group randomized trial.

Background: While the learning outcomes of observational learning in simulation-based experiences have been documented, there is a paucity of studies that have provided evidence of the efficacy of observational learning in influencing reaction, performance, and behavioral changes.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of structured observational learning on the learning outcomes of nursing students in delirium care simulations.

Methods: A parallel-group randomized trial design was employed.

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.

Attitudes and digital health literacy mediate the relationship of digital information accessibility with intention for digital healthcare service use in patients with multiple myeloma: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the serial mediating effects of attitudes toward digital healthcare services (ATDH) and digital health literacy (DHL) on the relationship between accessibility of digital information (ADI) and intention to use digital healthcare services (IUDH) among patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted with patients with MM under outpatient follow-up at the cancer center of a university-affiliated hospital in South Korea. Data were collected between September and December 2023 from a convenience sample of 139 patients.

KLASS (Korean Laparoendoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study Group) trials: a 20-year great journey in advancing surgical clinical research for gastric cancer.

The Korean Laparoendoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study Group (KLASS) trial series represents a comprehensive body of surgical clinical trials and studies focused on laparoscopic techniques in the treatment of gastric cancer. These trials, conducted and overseen by the KLASS, began with KLASS 01 in 2006 and have progressed to their 14th series as of December 2024. To date, approximately 36 papers, including pivotal publications, have been featured in high-impact journals, significantly advancing the field of gastric cancer treatment.

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.

Subcytotoxic transepidermal delivery using low intensity cold atmospheric plasma.

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been utilized in various medical devices using its oxidative nature. Recent studies have provided evidence that CAP can facilitate the delivery of large, hydrophilic molecules through the epidermis to the dermis. On the other hand, a new approach called low-intensity CAP (LICAP) has been developed, allowing the plasma level to be controlled within a subtoxic range, thereby demonstrating various biological benefits without tissue damage.

Selective fluorescent probe for Tl ions through metal-induced hydrolysis and its application for direct assay of artificial urine.

In this research, we report a simple fluorescent probe designed to detect thallium(iii) ions (Tl) in artificial urine samples. The Tl signaling probe (TP-1) was readily prepared from 2-acetyl-6-methoxynaphthalene and hydrazine. In a pH 4.

The impact of body mass index on mortality according to age in hemodialysis patients: an analysis of the Korean Renal Data System.

The impact of age on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and all-cause mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients is not clearly understood. We analyzed the association between BMI and all-cause mortality, stratified by age, in patients undergoing HD using data from the Korean Renal Data System (KORDS). We analyzed 66,129 HD patients from the 2023 KORDS database, with data collected between 2001 and 2022.

Illness attitudes and the flourishing of university students of South Korea in a pandemic: a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Since the onset of the Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2019, the virus has continued to experience periodic resurgences, and the evolution of new variants remains unpredictable. The greatest anxiety in Korean is now related to novel diseases, with a significant increase from 2.9% in 2018 to 32.

Risk of Osteoporotic Fractures among Patients with Thyroid Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: The associations between thyroid cancer and skeletal outcomes have not been thoroughly investigated. We aimed to investigate the risk of osteoporotic fractures in patients with thyroid cancer compared to that in a matched control group.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 2,514 patients with thyroid cancer and 75,420 matched controls from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC, 2006-2019).

Patient's sexual dignity discomfort in healthcare setting: A concept development.

Body touch and close physical proximity are inevitable in some healthcare procedures and can evoke feelings of shame, humiliation, and anger in patients. Given the increasing recognition of human dignity, exploring the occurrence of these negative emotional experiences and identifying mechanisms for their prevention are crucial. To develop and define the concept of "patient's sexual dignity discomfort.

Differences in immune cells and gene expression in human milk by parity on integrated scRNA sequencing.

Background: Human breast milk (HBM) is an important source of tolerogenic immune mediators that influence the infant immune system. HBM-derived immune components are affected by various factors; however, few studies have examined the relationship between parity and immune cell profiles of HBM.

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the effects of parity on HBM immune cell heterogeneity and gene expression by integrating and analyzing publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing datasets.

Severity of metabolic derangement predicts survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and the likelihood of benefiting from extracorporeal life support.

Objective: To develop a Metabolic Derangement Score (MDS) based on parameters available after initial testing and assess the score's ability to predict survival after out-of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and the likely usefulness of extracorporeal life support (ECLS).

Methods: A total of 5100 cases in the Korean Cardiac Arrest Research Consortium registry were included. Patients' mean age was 67 years, and 69% were men.

Aminoguanidine hemisulfate improves mitochondrial autophagy, oxidative stress, and muscle force in Duchenne muscular dystrophy via the AKT/FOXO1 pathway in mdx mice.

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a prevalent, fatal degenerative muscle disease with no effective treatments. Mdx mouse model of DMD exhibits impaired muscle performance, oxidative stress, and dysfunctional autophagy. Although antioxidant treatments may improve the mdx phenotype, the precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

Efficacy and safety of topical cream containing aminoacryl tRNA synthetase complex interacting 1-derived peptide in mitigating radiation dermatitis after adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer.

Purpose: Acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) is a frequent side effect experienced by breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of a topical cream containing aminoacryl tRNA synthetase complex interacting 1 (AIMP1)-derived peptide (AdP) in mitigating radiation dermatitis (RD) in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Methods: An 8-week single-center, prospective pilot study was conducted to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of an AdP-containing cream with a control cream lacking AdP for the mitigation of RD.

Human serum albumin-3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid conjugate inhibits amyloid-β aggregation and mitigates cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most commonly occurring brain disorder, characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau, subsequently leading to neurocognitive decline. 3-Amino-1-propanesulfonic acid (TPS) and its prodrug, currently under clinical trial III, serve as promising therapeutic agents targeting Aβ pathology by specifically preventing monomer-to-oligomer formation. Inspired by the potency of TPS prodrug, we hypothesized that conjugating TPS with human serum albumin (HSA) could enhance brain delivery and synergistically inhibit Aβ aggregation in mild to moderate AD.

Induced Neural Stem Cell Transplantation in Spinal Cord Injury: Present Status and Next Steps.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a significant clinical challenge, with no fully effective treatment available despite advancements in various therapeutic approaches. This review examines the emerging role of induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) as promising candidates for SCI treatment, highlighting their potential for direct neural regeneration and integration with host tissue. We explore the biology of iNSCs, their mechanisms of action, and their interactions with host tissue, including modulating inflammatory responses, promoting axonal growth, and reconstructing neural circuits.

Surgical and Neurointensive Management for Acute Spinal Cord Injury: A Narrative Review.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) following high-energy trauma often leads to lasting neurologic deficits and severe socioeconomic impact. Effective neurointensive care, particularly in the early stages post-injury, is essential for optimizing outcomes. This review discusses the role of neurointensive care in managing SCI, emphasizing early assessment, stabilization, and intervention strategies based on recent evidence-based practices.

Using Artificial Intelligence in the Comprehensive Management of Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) frequently results in persistent motor, sensory, or autonomic dysfunction, and the outcomes are largely determined by the location and severity of the injury. Despite significant technological progress, the intricate nature of the spinal cord anatomy and the difficulties associated with neuroregeneration make full recovery from SCI uncommon. This review explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), with a particular focus on machine learning, to enhance patient outcomes in SCI management.

Spinal Cord Injury From Tuberculous Spondylitis Misdiagnosed as Metastatic Spinal Tumor and Bacterial Spondylitis: A Case Report & Literature Review.

Tuberculous (TB) spondylitis, also known as Pott's disease, was first described by Percivall Pott in 1779. The diagnosis of TB spondylitis is often delayed because of the non-specific nature of the infection, which can lead to severe consequences. Differential diagnosis is especially critical in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who present with lymph node or bone metastasis.