Where does the tether break in vertebral body tethering cases? Clinical insights from revision cases after tether breakage.

Purpose: To evaluate the sites where the tether breaks in vertebral body tethering (VBT) cases.

Methods: Intraoperative evaluation of broken tethers in patients who had anterior revision.

Inclusion Criteria: anterior revision of VBT cases with explantation of the full implant and photo documentation.

Preserved brain youthfulness: longitudinal evidence of slower brain aging in superagers.

Background: Superagers, older adults with exceptional cognitive abilities, show preserved brain structure compared to typical older adults. We investigated whether superagers have biologically younger brains based on their structural integrity.

Methods: A cohort of 153 older adults (aged 61-93) was recruited, with 63 classified as superagers based on superior episodic memory and 90 as typical older adults, of whom 64 were followed up after two years.

Acute Concurrent Exercise Improves Inhibitory Control Without Mediating the Role of Lactate: An Event-Related Potential Study.

Background: Concurrent exercise (CE), an emerging exercise modality characterized by sequential bouts of aerobic (AE) and resistance exercise (RE), has demonstrated acute benefits on executive functions (EFs) and neuroelectric P3 amplitude. However, the effect of acute CE on inhibitory control, a sub-component of EFs, and P3 amplitude remains inconclusive. Moreover, exploring the mechanisms underlying the effects of acute exercise on EFs contributes to scientific comprehension, with lactate recognized as a crucial candidate positively correlated with EFs.

Climatically Specialized Lineages of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and its Likely Asian Origins.

Chytridiomycosis is a wildlife disease that has caused significant declines in amphibian populations and species extinctions worldwide. Asia, where the causal pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and B. salamndrivorans (Bsal) originated, has not witnessed mass die-offs.

Prognosis of Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy Flap Necrosis: Predictors of Failure and Salvage.

Background: In the realm of implant-based breast reconstruction, mastectomy flap necrosis (MFN) is a prevalent yet grave complication that poses a threat to the stability of the inserted prosthesis. Although numerous investigations have scrutinized the risk factors for MFN development, few have delved into the aftermath, specifically implant failure or salvage. This study seeks to appraise the prognosis of the implanted prosthesis following MFN occurrence, as well as identify predictors of such outcomes.

Determinants of future anxiety across individual, household, and regional levels in South Korea using a social ecological model.

This study is the first to examine the determinants of future anxiety in South Korea using the Social Ecological Model (SEM). It aimed to show that, beyond individual factors, mezzo- and macro-level aspects, particularly those related to housing, may influence anxiety. Utilizing 2018 data from the Korean Health Panel Survey, we employed a three-level multilevel analysis to investigate how these factors contribute to the perception of future anxiety among Koreans.

Factors associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms in healthcare providers after performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a mixed-methods study.

The experience of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can cause post-traumatic stress symptoms that negatively impact healthcare providers and reduced their clinical competency. This two-phase mixed-methods was conducted to investigate the factors that cause post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) in healthcare providers who perform CPR. Phase 1 included a survey with a trauma screening questionnaire (TSQ).

Epigenetic modulation of social cognition: exploring the impact of methylation in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and oxytocin receptor genes across sex.

Social cognition, which ranges from recognizing social cues to intricate inferential reasoning, is influenced by environmental factors and epigenetic mechanisms. Notably, methylation variations in stress-related genes like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) are linked to distinct social cognitive functions and exhibit sex-specific differences. This study investigates how these methylation differences affect social cognition across sexes, focusing on both perceptual and inferential cognitive levels.

Multi scale multi attention network for blood vessel segmentation in fundus images.

Precise segmentation of retinal vasculature is crucial for the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of vision-threatening ailments. However, this task is challenging due to limited contextual information, variations in vessel thicknesses, the complexity of vessel structures, and the potential for confusion with lesions. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach, the MSMA Net model, which overcomes these challenges by replacing traditional convolution blocks and skip connections with an improved multi-scale squeeze and excitation block (MSSE Block) and Bottleneck residual paths (B-Res paths) with spatial attention blocks (SAB).

Long-term surgical outcomes of esotropic duane retraction syndrome type 1.

Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) is complicated to treat due to its wide spectrum of clinical presentations and the treatment of choice varies among surgeons. To provide insight into this challenging condition, we evaluated the long-term surgical outcomes of esotropic DRS type 1. The surgical motor success, defined as a horizontal deviation of 8 prism diopters (PD) or less, was found in 77.

Mechanism of stable lithium plating and stripping in a metal-interlayer-inserted anode-less solid-state lithium metal battery.

To reliably operate anode-less solid-state Li metal batteries, wherein precipitated Li acts as the anode, stabilizing the interface between the solid electrolyte and electrode is crucial. The interface can be controlled by a metal interlayer on the electrolyte to form a Li alloy buffer that facilitates stable Li plating/stripping, thereby mitigating the loss of physical contact and preventing short circuits. However, the mechanism governing stable Li plating/stripping in the metal interlayer without degrading battery materials remains unclear owing to an incomplete understanding of the dynamic and complex electrochemical reactions in the solid state.

Dissipative constraint-based multi-area power system with time-varying delays and cyber-attacks.

This work describes the dissipative constraint-based load frequency control problem for multi-area power system under load disturbances. Particularly, a new model incorporating time-varying delays and cyber-attacks are widespread in communication networks, significantly impacting control and stability. Consequently, the state-space equations of the addressed model are formulated and analyzed under the impact of false data injection attacks, and time-varying delays.

Synergistic antimicrobial efficacy of phage cocktails and essential oils against Escherichia coli.

This study was designed to evaluate the combined antimicrobial activity of selected phage cocktail (MS2+T7 phages) and essential oils (cinnamon, clove, oregano, and thymol) against Escherichia coli ATCC 15597. To select most effective phages, the lytic abilities of individual phages (MS2, phiX174, and T7) and their phage combinations were assessed using the phage spot test and plaque assay at various multiplicity of infections (MOIs) ranging from 0.01 to 100.

Preoperative Medication for Ovarian Endometrioma Reduces Cyst Size and PainBut Not rASRM score.

Study Subject: To investigate the impact of preoperative hormonal medication, including combined oral contraceptives (COCs) or dienogest, on operative findings in ovarian endometrioma surgery.

Design: A single-center, retrospective study.

Setting: Department of Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Republic of Korea.

Prediction of the Serial Alignment Change after Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy Based on Coronal Plane Alignment of the Knee Using Machine Learning Algorithm.

Categorization of alignment into phenotypes can be useful for predicting and analyzing postoperative alignment changes after opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO). The purposes of this study were (1) to develop a machine learning model for the predicting the Coronal Plane Alignment of the Knee (CPAK) phenotypes of final alignment after OWHTO, and (2) to analyze predictive factors for final alignment phenotypes. Data were retrospectively collected from 163 knees that underwent OWHTO between March 2014 and December 2019.

Advances in lacrimal gland organoid development: Techniques and therapeutic applications.

The human lacrimal gland (LG), located above the outer orbital region within the frontal bone socket, is essential in maintaining eye surface health and lubrication. It is firmly anchored to the orbital periosteum by the connective tissue, and it is vital for protecting and lubricating the eye by secreting lacrimal fluid. Disruption in the production, composition, or secretion of lacrimal fluid can lead to dry eye syndrome, a condition characterized by ocular discomfort and potential eye surface damage.

Identification and quantification of soybean 11S and 7S globulins using RP-UPLC.

Variations in the proportions of the two major soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed globulins, glycinin (11S) and β-conglycinin (7S), significantly affect the nutritional and functional properties of soy-based products, but comprehensive methods for the identification and quantification of individual subunits of these proteins are currently lacking.

Class-Wise Combination of Mixture-Based Data Augmentation for Class Imbalance Learning of Focal Liver Lesions in Abdominal CT Images.

In this paper, we propose a method to address the class imbalance learning in the classification of focal liver lesions (FLLs) from abdominal CT images. Class imbalance is a significant challenge in medical image analysis, making it difficult for machine learning models to learn to classify them accurately. To overcome this, we propose a class-wise combination of mixture-based data augmentation (CCDA) method that uses two mixture-based data augmentation techniques, MixUp and AugMix.

Genomic Epidemiology of Strains That Caused the Fire Blight Outbreak in Korea.

Fire blight, a devastating bacterial disease affecting rosaceous plants such as apples and pears, is caused by . The disease, known for its rapid spread and destructive potential, can lead to severe symptoms and often result in the death of infected plants. In Korea, the observation of was first recorded in 2015, and subsequent dissemination has been noted across the peninsula.

Analyzing the channels of information dissemination: Investigating abrupt transitions in resource investment.

Investment in resources is essential for facilitating information dissemination in real-world contexts, and comprehending the influence of resource allocation on information dissemination is, thus, crucial for the efficacy of collaborative networks. Nonetheless, current studies on information dissemination frequently fail to clarify the complex interplay between information distribution and resources in network contexts. In this work, we establish a resource-based information dissemination model to identify the complex interplay by examining the propagation threshold and equilibriums.

Exploring the Psychological and Physiological Insights Through Digital Phenotyping by Analyzing the Discrepancies Between Subjective Insomnia Severity and Activity-Based Objective Sleep Measures: Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder affecting millions worldwide, with significant impacts on daily functioning and quality of life. While traditionally assessed through subjective measures such as the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the advent of wearable technology has enabled continuous, objective sleep monitoring in natural environments. However, the relationship between subjective insomnia severity and objective sleep parameters remains unclear.

Correlates of Cetuximab Efficacy in Recurrent and Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Previously Treated With Immunotherapy.

Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are now first-line therapy for most patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC), and cetuximab is most often used as subsequent therapy. However, data describing cetuximab efficacy in the post-ICI setting are limited.

Methods: We performed a single-institution retrospective analysis of patients with R/M HNSCC treated with cetuximab, either as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy, after receiving an ICI.