National scale evaluation of nutrient purification capacity in marine sediments along the coast of South Korea: A mesocosm study based in situ assessment.

The ecosystem regulating services from tidal flats, such as removal of organic pollutants, provided by natural tidal flats are being increasingly recognized, yet quantitative evaluation remains limited. Here we evaluated a nationwide capacity of natural purification in tidal flats. Using in situ sediments from five along the Korean coast (Incheon, Gunsan, Sinan, Gwangyang, and Busan), we applied a mesocosm system informed by 18 years of riverine monitoring data from national surveys.

Incidence and characteristics of sudden sensorineural hearing loss during pregnancy and the postpartum period: A nationwide population-based study using customized cohort data.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the incidence and characteristics of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in pregnant and non-pregnant women using the Korean National Health Insurance Service customized cohort data.

Materials And Methods: We defined the delivery group as women aged 15-49 years with International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes O80-O84 indicating delivery between January 2013 and December 2019. The control group was selected from individuals in the same age range without a history of delivery during the same period.

Leptospirosis, melioidosis, and rickettsioses in the vicious circle of neglect.

The global priorities in the field of infectious diseases are constantly changing. While emerging viral infections have regularly dominated public health attention, which has only intensified after the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous bacterial diseases have previously caused, and continue to cause, significant morbidity and mortality-deserving equal attention. Three potentially life-threatening endemic bacterial diseases (leptospirosis, melioidosis, and rickettsioses) are a huge public health concern especially in low- and middle-income countries.

A Novel Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Digital Network for Prehospital Emergency Support: Community Intervention Study.

Background: Efficient emergency patient transport systems, which are crucial for delivering timely medical care to individuals in critical situations, face certain challenges. To address this, CONNECT-AI (CONnected Network for EMS Comprehensive Technical-Support using Artificial Intelligence), a novel digital platform, was introduced. This artificial intelligence (AI)-based network provides comprehensive technical support for the real-time sharing of medical information at the prehospital stage.

High-Throughput Chemotherapeutic Drug Screening System for Gastric Cancer (Cure-GA).

Background: Three dimensional (3D) cell cultures can be effectively used for drug discovery and development but there are still challenges in their general application to high-throughput screening. In this study, we developed a novel high-throughput chemotherapeutic 3D drug screening system for gastric cancer, named 'Cure-GA', to discover clinically applicable anticancer drugs and predict therapeutic responses.

Methods: Primary cancer cells were isolated from 143 fresh surgical specimens by enzymatic treatment.

Crystallographic Spin Torque Conductivity Tensor of Epitaxial IrO Thin Films for Oxide Spintronics.

Unconventional spin-orbit torques arising from electric-field-generated spin currents in anisotropic materials have promising potential for spintronic applications, including for perpendicular magnetic switching in high-density memory applications. Here, all the independent elements of the spin torque conductivity tensor allowed by bulk crystal symmetries for the tetragonal conductor IrO are determined via measurements of conventional (in-plane) anti-damping torques for IrO thin films in the high-symmetry (001) and (100) orientations. It is then tested whether rotational transformations of this same tensor can predict both the conventional and unconventional anti-damping torques for IrO thin films in the lower-symmetry (101), (110), and (111) orientations, finding good agreement.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Isolated from Food Animal Carcasses During 2010-2023 in South Korea.

Antimicrobial-resistant bacterial contamination of meat poses a significant global public health risk. We aimed to determine antimicrobial resistance profiles and trends of recovered from carcasses of healthy food-producing animals in South Korea during 2010-2023. In total, 4748 isolates obtained from cattle ( = 1582), pigs ( = 1572), and chickens ( = 1594) were assessed for susceptibility to 12 antimicrobials.

Single-Step Production of Doubly Re-entrant Microstructures Through Reaction-Diffusion Photolithography for Omniphobic Surfaces.

Omniphobic surfaces, which repel virtually any liquid regardless of its wettability, have been developed using doubly re-entrant microstructures. Although various microfabrication techniques have been explored, these often require multiple complex steps. In this study, reaction-diffusion photolithography (RDP) is used to fabricate micropost arrays with doubly re-entrant geometries through a single-step ultraviolet (UV) exposure process.

Reproductive and Hormonal Factors and Thyroid Cancer Risk: Pooled Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies in the Asia Cohort Consortium.

Given the female predominance of thyroid cancer (TC), particularly in the reproductive age range, female sex hormones have been proposed as an aetiology; however, previous epidemiological studies have shown conflicting results. We conducted a pooled analysis using individual data from 9 prospective cohorts in the Asia Cohort Consortium, to explore the association between 10 female reproductive and hormonal factors and TC risk. Using Cox proportional hazards models, cohort-specific hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated and then pooled using a random-effects model.

Improving complex health systems and lived environments for maternal and perinatal well-being in urban sub-Saharan Africa: the UrbanBirth Collective.

While maternal mortality decreased during the Millennium Development Goals era, it remains unacceptably high, with stagnation in reductions possible due to shocks such as COVID-19. Most women in low- and middle-income countries already receive antenatal care and over half give birth in health facilities. In cities, use of health facilities for childbirth is near universal (>90%).

Exosomes Derived from Apelin-Pretreated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Dysfunction by Alleviating Cardiomyocyte Pyroptosis via Delivery of miR-34a-5p.

Background: Exosomes sourced from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-EXOs) have become a promising therapeutic tool for sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SMD). Our previous study demonstrated that Apelin pretreatment enhanced the therapeutic benefit of MSCs in myocardial infarction by improving their paracrine effects. This study aimed to determine whether EXOs sourced from Apelin-pretreated MSCs (Apelin-MSC-EXOs) would have potent cardioprotective effects against SMD and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Global burden of pneumoconiosis attributable to occupational particulate matter, gasses, and fumes from 1990~2021 and forecasting the future trends: a population-based study.

Background: This study aimed to quantify the global impact of pneumoconiosis resulting from occupational exposure to particulate matter, gasses, and fumes from 1990 to 2021, utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Method: The analysis evaluated the global, regional, and national burden of pneumoconiosis attributable to workplace exposure to particulate matter, gasses, and fumes. It explored variations in disease impact across different demographics, including age and gender, and analyzed the relationship between disease burden and the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI).

Exploring the Cardioprotective Mechanisms of in Myocardial Infarction Through Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation.

Background: Myocardial infarction represents a coronary artery ailment with the highest incidence and fatality rates among cardiovascular conditions. However, effective pharmacological interventions remain elusive. This study seeks to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of on myocardial infarction through network pharmacology and experimental validation.

A novel sensitizer reduces EGFR-TKI resistance by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and autophagy.

Background: The incidence and mortality of lung cancer are high, and treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) is the preferred first-line treatment for patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations. However, EGFR-TKI resistance leads to treatment failure. Yifei-Sanjie pill (YFSJ) is a novel type of Chinese patent medicine for lung cancer.

Decision Regret About Treatment Amongst Women With Early Breast Cancer: An Integrative Review.

Aims: To synthesise evidence on decision regret about treatment amongst women with early breast cancer, including (1) the type of treatment related to decision regret, (2) the level of decision regret, and (3) factors associated with decision regret.

Design: Integrative review.

Methods: Studies published between January 2000 and December 2023 were searched from five online databases to provide up-to-date evidence.

Bridging Experience and Practice: A Grounded Theory Study of Nurses' Hospitalisation Experiences as Patients or Family Members.

Aims: This study aimed to develop a grounded theory that explains how nurses' experiences as patients or family members influence their provision of patient-centred care.

Design: A grounded theory approach.

Methods: Twenty clinical nurses in South Korea participated; nine had experiences as patients and 11 as family members during hospitalisation.

Cancer incidence and the influence of immunosuppressive agents in Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: To investigate cancer incidence and the potential influence of immunosuppressive agents in Korean systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis utilizing data from the Korea Healthcare Bigdata Linked Platform, which integrated the National Central Cancer Registry and National Health Insurance Service databases covering the period 2008-2017. Incidence rates (IRs) per 10,000 person-years (PYs) for site-specific cancers of SLE patients were calculated using ICD-O-3 codes.

Use of extracorporeal shockwave therapy combined with standard rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most common sports injuries, accounting for approximately 50% of knee-related injuries. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), in the form of the radial (R-SWT) or focused shockwave (F-SWT), has been shown effective in treating various orthopaedic conditions. Recently, studies have investigated whether ESWT combined with standard rehabilitation may improve outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

The impact of regular physical activity on vertebral fractures: Korean nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: Vertebral fractures are a common medical issue. Physical activity helps improve bone health and manage the risk of fractures. However, much controversy exists about the association between physical activity and vertebral fractures.

Multimodal treatments and the risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema: insights from a nationally representative cohort in South Korea.

Background: As the roles of chemotherapy (Chemo) and radiation therapy (Radio) in the definitive treatment of breast cancer have expanded, a broader understanding of the factors associated with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) has become increasingly essential. Therefore, we investigated the association between multimodality treatment and the risk of BCRL.

Methods: In this retrospective study conducted using National Health Insurance data and the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database (2006-2017), 114,638 participants who underwent Surgery (Surg) or Chemo within 6 months after breast cancer diagnosis were enrolled, and the effect of multimodality treatment on the risk of BCRL was analyzed using the Cox proportional-hazards model.

Clioquinol 3% Cream Improves Clinical Symptoms and Restores the Skin Microbiome in Interdigital Tinea Pedis.

Background: Interdigital tinea pedis is a common type of tinea pedis that occurs between toes and is easy to recur. Recently, the skin microbiome analysis of interdigital tinea pedis showed changes in bacterial microbiome in addition to fungal infection.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of clioquinol 3% cream in treating interdigital tinea pedis as well as characterize changes in the skin microbiome during treatment.

Genomics yields biological and phenotypic insights into bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease. Despite high heritability (60-80%), the majority of the underlying genetic determinants remain unknown. We analysed data from participants of European, East Asian, African American and Latino ancestries (n = 158,036 cases with bipolar disorder, 2.

Regional and institutional trends in assessment for academic promotion.

The assessment of research performance is widely seen as a vital tool in upholding the highest standards of quality, with selection and competition believed to drive progress. Academic institutions need to take critical decisions on hiring and promotion, while facing external pressure by also being subject to research assessment. Here we present an outlook on research assessment for career progression with specific focus on promotion to full professorship, based on 314 policies from 190 academic institutions and 218 policies from 58 government agencies, covering 32 countries in the Global North and 89 countries in the Global South.

Efficient optical parametric amplification in the thin film lithium niobate waveguides.

Prominent platforms based on thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) are superior integrated-photonics platforms for efficient optical parametric amplification (OPA), however, previously few studies have been systematically reported the gain-boosting performance of TFLN waveguides compared to bulk LN waveguides. Here, we optimize two TFLN waveguides with dispersion engineering for high-efficiency and ultra-broadband gain of OPA, then report comparative results about the efficient ultra-broadband OPA of TFLN waveguides in the case of low loss, optimized waveguide length and pump power. Note that the efficient ultra-broadband OPA of TFLN waveguides is represented by the peak gain (71.