Developing Topics.

Background: Previous studies have reported various prodromal symptoms and comorbidities that precede the development of dementia. In this study, we comprehensively investigate the impact of genetic predispositions to multiple comorbidities on the risk of incident dementia.

Methods: Our study included 377,653 participants of European descent from the UK Biobank, comprising 370,183 controls and 7,470 cases of incident dementia.

A Novel Point-of-Care Prediction Model for Steatotic Liver Disease: Expected Role of Mass Screening in the Global Obesity Crisis.

Background/aims: The incidence of steatotic liver disease (SLD) is increasing across all age groups as the incidence of obesity increases worldwide. The existing noninvasive prediction models for SLD require laboratory tests or imaging and perform poorly in the early diagnosis of infrequently screened populations such as young adults and individuals with healthcare disparities. We developed a machine learning-based point-of-care prediction model for SLD that is readily available to the broader population with the aim of facilitating early detection and timely intervention and ultimately reducing the burden of SLD.

Uncovering potential causal genes for undiagnosed congenital anomalies using an in-house pipeline for trio-based whole-genome sequencing.

Background: Congenital anomalies (CAs) encompass a wide spectrum of structural and functional abnormalities during fetal development, commonly presenting at birth. Identifying the cause of CA is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Using a target-gene approach, genetic variants could be found in certain CA patients.

Improved Glycemic Control in Insulin-Treated Individuals With Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes Through Combined Structured Education With Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring.

Background: We evaluated the efficacy of structured individualized education combined with real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rt-CGM, Dexcom G6) in improving glycemic outcomes in insulin-treated adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: This multicenter, 16-week, single-arm study included 66 adults with T2D (multiple daily insulin [MDI]: 33; basal insulin: 33) with a ≥7.8%.

Association between genetically predicted leisure and social activities and cardiovascular disease and other health outcomes.

Participation in leisure and social activities (LSA) is associated with better health outcomes and lower mortality. Previous observational studies demonstrated a relationship between engagement in LSA and both mental and physical health. Although several studies examined the association between LSA and health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, their possible causal relationship has not been studied.

LINC02257 regulates malignant phenotypes of colorectal cancer via interacting with miR-1273g-3p and YB1.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Emerging evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the progression of various types of cancer. In this study, we aimed to identify potential causal lncRNAs in CRC through comprehensive multilevel bioinformatics analyses, coupled with functional validation.

Long-Chain Polysaturated Fatty Acid in Atrial Fibrillation-Associated Stroke: Lipidomic-GWAS Study.

Background and Purpose This study aimed to explore the relationship between lipidomic domains, particularly free fatty acids (FFAs), and the presence of AF in patients with acute stroke, and to identify mechanisms of AF-associated stroke through genetic studies. Methods A total of 483 patients of stroke in patients without AF (n = 391) and with AF (n = 92) were selected from a prospectively collected stroke registry. Lipidomic profiling was conducted and the lipid components associated with AF were explored using fold-change analyses and clustering.

HDAC6 mediates NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a major blindness cause in developed countries, is intricately linked to diabetes management and its duration. Here, we demonstrate that HDAC6 mediates NLRP3 inflammasome activation under diabetic conditions, leading to retinal inflammation and degeneration.

Methods: This study demonstrated the therapeutic effects of HDAC6 genetic ablation, pharmacological inhibition, and HDAC6-deficient bone marrow transplantation in a diabetes model induced by streptozotocin and a high-fat diet.

Interaction of DDB1 with NBS1 in a DNA Damage Checkpoint Pathway.

Various DNA damage checkpoint control mechanisms in eukaryotic cells help maintain genomic integrity. Among these, NBS1, a key component of the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex, is an essential protein involved in the DNA damage response (DDR). In this study, we discovered that DNA damage-binding protein 1 (DDB1) interacts with NBS1.

Ocular Adverse Events Following Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection: A Self-controlled Case Series Study from the Entire Korean Population.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the risk of ocular adverse events, including retinal artery occlusion (RAO), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), noninfectious uveitis (NIU), noninfectious scleritis (NIS), optic neuritis (ON), ischemic optic neuropathy (ION), and ocular motor cranial nerve palsy (OMCNP), after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Design: Population-based self-controlled case series (SCCS).

Participants: The study included patients from the entire Korean population of 52 million who experienced incident RAO, RVO, anterior NIU, nonanterior NIU, NIS, ON, ION, or OMCNP between January 1, 2021, and October 29, 2022.

Predictive Accuracy of Intraocular Lens Formulas Calculated by Biometers with Multiple Refractive Indices According to Axial Length.

This study aimed to analyze the accuracy of the SRK/T, Haigis, Barrett Universal II (BUII), Kane, and EVO intraocular lens (IOL) formulas for normal and long axial length (AL) groups using an ARGOS (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX, USA), which uses the specific refractive indices. We performed a review of patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery with the implantation of an Acrysof IQ SN60WF IOL (Alcon, Inc.) between January 2020 and December 2021.

Addressing knowledge and attitude barriers to lung cancer screening: Development and evaluation of web-based decision aid.

Objective: Low-dose computed tomography screening reduces lung cancer and overall mortality, but the participation rate remains low. The objective of this study was to develop a decision aid (DA) that addresses the overabundance of healthcare options and barriers to participation in lung cancer screening (LCS) among the general population aged 40-79 years in Korea.

Materials And Methods: The DA was developed by following the International Patient Decision Aid Standards process.

Metagenomic Analysis Identifies Sex-Related Gut Microbial Functions and Bacterial Taxa Associated With Skeletal Muscle Mass.

Background: This study aimed to explore the association between gut microbiota functional profiles and skeletal muscle mass, focusing on sex-specific differences in a population under 65 years of age.

Methods: Stool samples from participants were analysed using metagenomic shotgun sequencing. Skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were quantified (SMI [%] = total appendage muscle mass [kg]/body weight [kg] × 100) using bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Effect of Biological Therapy for Psoriasis on the Development of Psoriatic Arthritis: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Evidence comparing the impact of various biologics for psoriasis on the progression to psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is limited. We therefore assessed the risk of PsA associated with interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitor, IL-17 inhibitor, or IL-12/23 inhibitor use compared with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor use among patients with psoriasis.

Methods: This population-based cohort study used the nationwide claims database from South Korea (2007-2023).

3D keloid spheroid model: Development and application for personalized drug response prediction.

Research on keloid is limited by the lack of proper in vitro and animal model reflecting in vivo status. Based on heterogeneity of keloid and important role of endothelial cells in its pathogenesis, a novel 3D in vitro keloid spheroid prepared with keloid fibroblasts and endothelial cells was evaluated in this study. Commercial cell lines of keloid fibroblasts and endothelial cells were used at various cellular ratios to generate keloid spheroids to determine the optimal condition.

Assessment of Nonmass Lesions Detected with Screening Breast US Based on Mammographic Findings.

Background Breast nonmass lesions (NMLs) are observed at screening and diagnostic US. However, knowledge is limited on imaging features of NMLs at screening US. Purpose To identify features of NMLs at screening US that are suspicious for malignancy based on mammographic findings.

Connectome-based Predictive Models of General and Specific Cognitive Control.

Cognitive control, the ability to adapt thoughts and actions to shifting contexts and goals, is composed primarily of three distinct yet interrelated components: Inhibition, Shifting, and Updating. While prior research has examined the nature of different cognitive components as well as their inter-relationships, fewer studies examined whole-brain connectivity to predict individual differences for the three cognitive components and associated tasks. Here, using the Connectome-based Predictive Modelling (CPM) approach and open-access data from the Human Connectome Project, we built brain network models to successfully predict individual performance differences on the Flanker task, the Dimensional Change Card Sort task, and the 2-Back task, each putatively corresponding to Inhibition, Shifting, and Updating.

Patient-Reported Adverse Events Among Elderly Patients Receiving Novel Oral COVID-19 Antivirals: A Nationwide Sampled Survey in Korea.

Background: There is a dearth of research on the factors linked with adverse events (AEs) associated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMVr) and molnupiravir (MOL), particularly in the elderly. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate self-reported AEs and identify factors associated with the occurrence of AEs following NMVr or MOL treatment among survey participants aged 60 years or older in South Korea.

Methods: This nationwide survey was conducted through in-person interviews using structured questionnaires, from July 24 to August 31, 2023.