Aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index outperforms Fibrosis-4 in 2843 Korean patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Aim: The definition of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has recently been proposed. We aim to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of noninvasive fibrosis markers in predicting liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and MASLD.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 2843 patients diagnosed with steatotic liver disease at six tertiary hospitals in South Korea.

Enhancement and evaluation for deep learning-based classification of volumetric neuroimaging with 3D-to-2D knowledge distillation.

The application of deep learning techniques for the analysis of neuroimaging has been increasing recently. The 3D Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) technology, which is commonly adopted to encode volumetric information, requires a large number of datasets. However, due to the nature of the medical domain, there are limitations in the number of data available.

A Novel Approach for Improving XML Querying over Wireless Broadcast Channels.

The querying of large XML data over wireless broadcast channels can reduce bandwidth utilization, cause significant latency, and produce inefficient energy usage. This paper proposes a scheme to improve XML querying over wireless broadcast channels in order to address the issues mentioned above. Various techniques, including partitioning, load balancing, and query routing, have been combined into one approach.

Effect of Forward and Reverse Suturing on Nerve Regeneration Following Facial Nerve Axotomy.

Background/objectives: When the facial nerve is severed and a nerve graft is required, motor nerves are typically connected in the forward direction, while sensory nerves are connected in the reverse direction. However, there is limited research on the effects of reversing this connection, and no studies have been conducted using the same facial nerve. This study aimed to investigate the effects of forward and reverse suturing on nerve regeneration following facial nerve axotomy.

Sequential Diagnostic Approach Using FIB-4 and ELF for Predicting Advanced Fibrosis in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

: Multiple non-invasive tests (NITs) for identifying advanced fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are available, but, due to the limitations of single NITs, the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) guidelines suggest a two-step strategy, combining the Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) score with the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test to improve diagnostic accuracy and minimize unnecessary liver biopsies. However, few real-world studies have used such a sequential approach. We here evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the ELF test in patients with recently established metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and assessed the clinical utility of applying a two-step strategy, including the ELF test following the FIB-4 score assessment, in patients with MASLD.

Diagnostic performance of procalcitonin for bacterial infection in severe alcoholic hepatitis compared with C-reactive protein.

Background: Severe alcoholic hepatitis is a catastrophic disease with a mortality rate of up to 35-50% at 30 days. Bacterial infection is an important prognostic factor in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, but it is difficult to detect the presence of infection immediately. Procalcitonin (PCT) is a well-known inflammatory marker that can detect bacterial infections in various diseases early.

Intensive blood pressure lowering in acute stroke with intracranial stenosis post-thrombectomy: A secondary analysis of the OPTIMAL-BP trial.

Background: Intensive blood pressure (BP) management within 24 h after successful reperfusion following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is associated with worse functional outcomes than conventional BP management in Asian randomized controlled trials. Given the high prevalence of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) in Asia, ICAS may influence these outcomes.

Aims: We aimed to assess whether ICAS affects the outcomes of intensive BP management after successful EVT.

Heavy metal exposure and its effects on APOC3, CFAI, and ZA2G.

Despite increasing heavy metal pollution, traditional epidemiology often fails to link exposure to health outcomes. This study used multi-omics to investigate associations between heavy metal exposure and health. Blood and urine samples from 294 participants in heavy metal-exposed and control areas were analyzed, revealing key biomarkers.

The Potential Effects of 2,3,4-Trihydroxybenzophenone on the Transient Cerebral Ischemic Stroke in Male Mice.

Acute ischemic stroke is a cerebrovascular disease associated with high mortality and severe aftereffects which is caused by the blockage of cerebral blood vessels by a thrombus or embolus. Treatments for this condition are extremely limited. Herein, we aimed to explore the potential of 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzophenone (THB), a drug that suppresses oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, to promote functional recovery through neurite outgrowth, and to identify its protective effects in a mouse model of ischemic stroke.

Reduction of pesticide dosage and off-target drift with enhanced control efficacy in unmanned aerial vehicle-based application using lecithin adjuvants.

Background: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly used in precision agriculture, particularly for pesticide application in rice cultivation. One challenge is off-target pesticide drift, which raises environmental concerns and reduces pesticide efficiency. Lecithin adjuvants have been suggested to enhance droplet stability, reduce drift, and improve control efficacy.

Effect of Calcium Channel Blockers on Antiplatelet Activity of Clopidogrel in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights from the PTRG-DES Consortium.

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are frequently co-administered with clopidogrel in cardiovascular disease. Although an inhibitory drug interaction exists between them, comprehensive large-scale studies for its validation are lacking. We investigated interactions between CCBs and clopidogrel using a large-scale national registry of patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Effects of different exercise modalities on pediatric and adolescent populations with developmental disorders: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Unlabelled: To investigate the impact of different types of exercise modalities on children and adolescents with developmental disorders. Data were obtained from randomized controlled trials retrieved from five databases. Following the PRISMA NMA guidelines, a Bayesian framework-based Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation was used for aggregation and analysis.

An outbreak of Clostridium perfringens infection on a training ship anchored in Busan, Korea.

Objectives: In September 2023, an outbreak of food-borne disease occurred among students on a training ship docked in Busan. This was an epidemiological investigation with the aim of improving infection prevention activities and group meal service practices on board ships.

Methods: In this study, a case was defined as an individual who experienced diarrhea more than twice a day during their training period aboard the training ship.

The Inflammatory Characteristics of Symptomatic Glioma Associated With Poor Prognosis and Chemoresistance via Tumor Necrosis Factor Signaling Pathway.

Background: Among gliomas, the most common primary malignant brain tumor, incidental gliomas account for 2.5%-5% of cases. The controversy over whether to pursue immediate treatment or adopt a wait-and-see approach remains, and more molecular and immunological evidence is needed for definitive treatment decisions.

Efficacy and safety of safinamide in Parkinson's disease patients with motor fluctuations without levodopa dosage escalation over 18 weeks: KEEP study.

This multicentre, prospective, single-arm study evaluated safinamide as add-on therapy to levodopa in Korean patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with motor fluctuations with ≥ 1.5 h of "off" time daily, who took levodopa ≥ 3 times/day (n = 199). Baseline levodopa and dopamine agonist doses were maintained without escalation during the 18-week treatment period.

Effects of establishing infection control program with core components of World Health Organization on reducing the risk of residents' infections and improving staff infection control competency in a nursing home.

Background: Nursing homes (NHs) are high-risk facilities with limited infection control resources and residents susceptible to infectious diseases. The evidence regarding World Health Organization (WHO) core components in NHs is lacking. This study evaluates the effectiveness of establishing an infection prevention and control (IPC) program with WHO's core components in an NH.

Korean Food Exchange Lists for Diabetes Meal Planning: Revised 2023.

A food exchange list is a tool developed to help diabetic patients control their energy intake and plan balanced meals. Korean food exchange lists were first developed in 1988, revised in 1995, and updated again in 2010. With rapidly changing dietary habits and increasing demand for diverse food cultures, the Korean Diabetes Association in cooperation with 4 related organizations established a Task Force Team (TFT) to revise food exchange lists in March 2022.

Longitudinal trajectories of health-related quality of life among critical care survivors: A latent class growth approach.

Objectives: This study explored the trajectories of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the factors influencing these trajectories.

Research Methodology/design: Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting: 19 intensive care units (ICUs) in South Korea.

Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Up-Regulated Factor (PAUF) Transforms Human Monocytes into Alternative M2 Macrophages with Immunosuppressive Action.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) promote immune evasion, cancer cell proliferation, and metastasis. Ongoing research is focused on finding ways to prevent tumor growth by inhibiting TAM polarization, which has shown a correlation with unfavorable prognosis in clinical studies. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma up-regulated factor (PAUF) is a protein secreted from pancreatic cancer (PC) and acts as a TME modulator that affects the TME by acting on not only cancer cells but also stromal cells and immune cells.

Optimization of Ferimzone and Tricyclazole Analysis in Rice Straw Using QuEChERS Method and Its Application in UAV-Sprayed Residue Study.

Rice straw is used as livestock feed and compost. Ferimzone and tricyclazole, common fungicides for rice blast control, can be found in high concentrations in rice straw after unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spraying, potentially affecting livestock and human health through pesticide residues. In this study, an optimized method for the analysis of the two fungicides in rice straw was developed using the improved QuEChERS method.