The association between acute transverse myelitis and COVID-19 vaccination in Korea: Self-controlled case series study.

Background: Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) has been reported as a potential association between COVID-19 vaccination. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the COVID-19 vaccination and ATM.

Methods: A self-controlled case series study was performed using a large database that combine the COVID-19 vaccine registry and the national claims database.

Impact of Routine Follow-Ups After Curative Gastrectomy in Elderly Patients with Early Gastric Cancer.

Introduction: Elderly patients with early gastric cancer exhibit a relatively shorter life expectancy and lower recurrence risk, prompting consideration of whether the regular follow-up strategy should apply to this demographic. This study was designed to determine the effect of routine postoperative follow-up on the elderly patients, specifically those pathologically diagnosed with stage I gastric cancer.

Methods And Materials: This retrospective analysis was conducted at a single tertiary center and enrolled patients aged ≥ 75 years who underwent curative gastrectomy for stage I gastric cancer between January of 2007 and December of 2016.

A network dynamic nomogram for predicting overall survival and cancer-specific survival in patients with breast cancer liver metastases: an analysis based on the SEER database.

The liver stands out as one of the most frequent sites for distant metastasis in breast cancer cases. However, effective risk stratification tools for patients with breast cancer liver metastases (BCLM) are still lacking. We identified BCLM patients from the SEER database spanning from 2010 to 2016.

Comprehensive genomic and phenotypic characterization of thermophilic bacterium Sinimarinibacterium thermocellulolyticum sp. nov. HSW-8, a cellulase-producing bacterium isolated from hot spring water in South Korea.

A thermophilic cellulase-producing bacterium, strain HSW-8, isolated from hot spring waters in South Korea, was subjected to a taxonomic analysis. Cells of strain HSW-8 were gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped, with optimum growth at 45 °C, pH 7.0, in the presence of 0% (w/v) NaCl.

Tenuigenin inhibits osteosarcoma growth via CIP2A/PP2A/NF-κB axis.

Background: Polygala tenuifolia and its active components have been revealed to possess anti-tumor activities. However, the role of Tenuigenin (TEN), a bioactive ingredient from Polygala tenuifolia, in tumors such as osteosarcoma (OS) remains unclear. The present research intended to explore the efficacy and underlying mechanism of TEN on OS.

Biotechnological advances in plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria for sustainable agriculture.

The rhizosphere, the soil zone surrounding plant roots, serves as a reservoir for numerous beneficial microorganisms that enhance plant productivity and crop yield, with substantial potential for application as biofertilizers. These microbes play critical roles in ecological processes such as nutrient recycling, organic matter decomposition, and mineralization. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) represent a promising tool for sustainable agriculture, enabling green management of crop health and growth, being eco-friendly alternatives to replace chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Causes and consequences of divorce in a long-lived socially monogamous bird.

In socially monogamous species, sexual selection not only depends on initial mate choice but also mate switching. To date, studies lack assessment of (1) differences between passive (widowhood) and active (divorce) mate switching, (2) longer term fitness consequences (beyond the season post-divorce) and (3) how age masks reproductive costs and benefits of divorce. We investigated causes and short- and long-term consequences of mate switching and their age dependence using longitudinal data on Seychelles warblers (Acrocephalus sechellensis).

Environmental influence on single methylation variation sites (SMVs) in the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea): identification and correlation analysis.

Background: Larimichthys crocea is an important aquaculture species along the southeastern coast of China, with diverse environment and farming practices since artificial breeding, these different aquatic habitats are subject to significant variations in environmental factors that may involve modulation of gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms to enable species to survive and reproduce.

Methods And Results: This study aimed to identify methylation variation sites (SMVs) in different sequence contexts (CG, CHG, and CHH) within populations of L. crocea in different habitats.

Multilayer network analysis in patients with end-stage kidney disease.

This study aimed to investigate alterations in a multilayer network combining structural and functional layers in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) compared with healthy controls. In all, 38 ESKD patients and 43 healthy participants were prospectively enrolled. They exhibited normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without any structural lesions.

Strontium isoscape of sub-Saharan Africa allows tracing origins of victims of the transatlantic slave trade.

Strontium isotope (Sr/Sr) analysis with reference to strontium isotope landscapes (Sr isoscapes) allows reconstructing mobility and migration in archaeology, ecology, and forensics. However, despite the vast potential of research involving Sr/Sr analysis particularly in Africa, Sr isoscapes remain unavailable for the largest parts of the continent. Here, we measure the Sr/Sr ratios in 778 environmental samples from 24 African countries and combine this data with published data to model a bioavailable Sr isoscape for sub-Saharan Africa using random forest regression.

Strained two-dimensional tungsten diselenide for mechanically tunable exciton transport.

Tightly bound electron-hole pairs (excitons) hosted in atomically-thin semiconductors have emerged as prospective elements in optoelectronic devices for ultrafast and secured information transfer. The controlled exciton transport in such excitonic devices requires manipulating potential energy gradient of charge-neutral excitons, while electrical gating or nanoscale straining have shown limited efficiency of exciton transport at room temperature. Here, we report strain gradient induced exciton transport in monolayer tungsten diselenide (WSe) across microns at room temperature via steady-state pump-probe measurement.

Ultrahigh concentration exfoliation and aqueous dispersion of few-layer graphene by excluded volume effect.

Colloidal properties of nanoparticles are intricately linked to their morphology. Traditionally, achieving high-concentration dispersions of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets has proven challenging as they tend to agglomerate or re-stack under increased surface contact and Van der Waals attraction. Here, we unveil an excluded volume effect enabled by 2D morphology, which can be coupled with electrostatic repulsion to synthesize high-concentration aqueous graphene dispersions.

Epidemiological insights into chronic urticaria, vitiligo, alopecia areata, and herpes zoster following COVID-19 infection: A nationwide population-based study.

The long-term complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continue to cause global concern. This study aimed to estimate the incidence and risk of chronic urticaria, vitiligo, alopecia areata, and herpes zoster following COVID-19 infection. Only participants confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests to have COVID-19 were enrolled in the COVID-19 group.

Environmental Conditions Modulate Warming Effects on Plant Litter Decomposition Globally.

Empirical studies worldwide show that warming has variable effects on plant litter decomposition, leaving the overall impact of climate change on decomposition uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis of 109 experimental warming studies across seven continents, using natural and standardised plant material, to assess the overarching effect of warming on litter decomposition and identify potential moderating factors. We determined that at least 5.

Neural correlates of basketball proficiency: An MRI study across skill levels.

Background: Basketball is an attractive sport required both cooperative and antagonistic motor skills. However, the neural mechanism of basketball proficiency remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the brain functional and structural substrates underlying varying levels of basketball capacity.

Clinical Relevance of Elevated Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis/Mycosis: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis/mycosis (ABPA/M) is a complex non-infectious pulmonary benign disease characterized by an immune response against aspergillus/fungus. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), typically recognized as a tumor marker, also elevated in certain benign diseases. Few studies on ABPA/M cases presenting with elevated serum CEA levels have been reported.

The Impact of Psychological Insulin Resistance and Dyadic Coping on Insulin Medication Adherence in Elderly Diabetes Patients and Their Spouses: A Latent Profile Analysis.

Aim: To investigate the characteristics of psychological insulin resistance and dyadic coping in elderly diabetic patients and their spouses, and their association with insulin medication adherence.

Design: Observational, cross-sectional study.

Methods: A convenience sampling method selected 300 elderly diabetic patient-spouse pairs from a community.

Evaluation of an assistive exosuit for alleviating neck and shoulder muscle fatigue during prolonged flexed neck posture.

Introduction: Neck pain affects 203 million people globally and is prevalent in various settings due to factors like poor posture, lack of exercise, and occupational hazards. Therefore, addressing ergonomic issues with solutions like a wearable robotic device is crucial. This research presents a novel assistive exosuit, characterized by its slim and lightweight structure and intuitive control without the use of hands, designed to mitigate muscle fatigue in the neck and shoulders during prolonged flexed neck posture.

Clinical significance of various pathogens identified in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD: a multi-center study in South Korea.

Background: Respiratory infection is a major cause of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). We investigated the presence of bacterial and viral pathogens and clinical features in patients with AECOPD.

Methods: This retrospective study included 1,186 patients diagnosed with AECOPD from 28 hospitals in South Korea between 2015-2018.

A low pathogenic avian influenza A/Mallard/South Korea/KNU2019-34/2019 (H1N1) virus has the potential to increase the mammalian pathogenicity.

Influenza, a highly contagious respiratory infectious disease caused by an influenza virus, is a threat to public health worldwide. Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have the potential to cause the next pandemic by crossing the species barrier through mutation of viral genome. Here, we investigated the pathogenicity of AIVs obtained from South Korea and Mongolia during 2018-2019 by measuring viral titers in the lungs and extrapulmonary organs of mouse models.

Emission characteristics analysis on microplastics by inorganic sludge discharged from recycling processes of agricultural waste vinyl in Korea.

Globally, various policies are being implemented to phase out plastic, and South Korea has set targets to reduce waste and increase recycling rates by 2030. Concerns about managing microplastic pollution are growing. Most advanced research has primarily focused on aquatic ecosystems.