A rhodamine-conjugated fluorescent and colorimetric receptor for the detection of Cu ions: environmental utility and smartphone integration.

A new rhodamine based turn on florescent probe ()-3',6'-bis(ethylamino)-2-(((6-methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinolin-3-yl)methylene)amino)-2',7'-dimethylspiro[isoindoline-1,9'-xanthen]-3-one (RME) was efficiently synthesized through a simple condensation reaction of 2-amino-3',6'-bis(ethylamino)-2',7'-dimethylspiro[isoindoline-1,9'-xanthen]-3-one and 6-methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde. The receptor RME is highly non-fluorescent and when copper ions (Cu ions) are added in DMF/water (1 : 2, v/v) medium, the receptor RME exhibits a specific "turn-on" colorimetric and fluorometric response. Moreover, RME binding with Cu ions produced a remarkable color variation that was perceptible to the human eye, changing from colorless to pink.

Modulation of PRL-1 within placental MSCs instigates the transition between EMT and MET subsequent to hepatic fibrosis.

Background/aims: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in hepatic fibrogenesis and liver repair in chronic liver disease. Our research highlights the antifibrotic potential of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PD-MSCs) and the role of phosphatase of regenerating liver-1 (PRL-1) in promoting liver regeneration.

Methods: We evaluated the efficacy of PD-MSCs overexpressing PRL-1 (PD-MSCsPRL-1) in a bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced rat injury model, focusing on their ability to regulate EMT.

Effect of nationwide postoperative rehabilitation at home program after lower extremity surgeries in older and younger people.

Background: A nationwide Rehabilitation at Home Care Pilot Program for patients undergoing lower extremity orthopedic surgeries has been ongoing since 2020. The program was designed to improve clinical outcomes through early mobilization and rehabilitation after discharge. This study aimed to analyze the interim data to assess its effectiveness and suggest improvements, particularly for older patients who are more vulnerable compared to younger patients.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography training using a silicone simulator fabricated using a 3D printing technique (with videos).

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) training remains challenging. This study used 3D printing techniques to develop and optimize a portable ERCP training simulator and to implement basic and advanced practical techniques. Subsequently, we aimed to determine whether endoscopy trainees acquired proficiency in ERCP techniques and assess any improvements in their skill levels from using this model.

Optimizing the graft size in the Evans osteotomy to minimize the calcaneocuboid joint pressure by highly realistic in-silico analysis.

This contribution details a new high-fidelity finite element analysis (FEA) methodology for the investigation of the effect of the graft size on the pressure distribution developing at the calcaneocuboid joint after the Evans osteotomy procedure. The FEA model includes all 28 bones of the foot up to the distal end of fibula and tibia as well as soft tissues, tendons, and muscles. The developed FEA model was validated by comparing the in-vivo pressure distribution on the foot plantar with the in-silico results, resulting in a low deviation equal to 7.

Comparison of body composition change, measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis, between singleton and twin pregnancy: A prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To determine the difference of body composition change measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) between singleton and twin pregnancy.

Study Design: A prospective study was performed in pregnant women admitted to maternal-fetal intensive care unit in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from June to August 2023. Twenty one patients were enrolled (9 singleton and 12 twin pregnancies) and underwent BIA at the admission.

Perforator-Based Propeller Flap Application in Pressure Ulcer Reconstruction: A Comparative Analysis With Advancement Flaps.

Background: Pressure ulcers are a prevalent and debilitating condition, often necessitating surgical reconstruction. Various flap techniques, such as Advancement Flaps (AF) and Perforator-based Propeller Flaps (PBPF), are commonly used for pressure sore reconstruction. While both techniques have proven effective, there is limited research comparing their outcomes in different clinical scenarios.

Thermoelectrochemical formation of a solid electrolyte interphase on a silicon negative electrode to enhance the durability of silicon-enriched lithium-ion batteries by compositional modification.

The SiO electrode interface is passivated with a SiO layer, which hinders the deposition of an inorganic solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) due to its high surface work function and low exchange current density of electrolyte decomposition. Consequently, a thermally vulnerable, organic-based SEI formed on the SiO electrode, leading to poor cycling performance at elevated temperatures. To address this issue, the SEI formation process is thermoelectrochemically activated.

Risk Factors for Progressive Disease After Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: This study analyzed the clinical features of patients with recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), who developed progressive disease (PD) after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 256 patients with R/M HNSCC treated with ICIs at 11 medical centers. Associations between the treatment outcomes-best response, overall survival, and progression-free survival-and various clinical factors were analyzed.

Prognostic Value of Ambulatory Status at Transplant in Older Heart Transplant Recipients: Implications for Organ Allocation Policy.

Background: Shortage of organ donors in the Republic of Korea has become a major problem. To address this, it has been questioned whether heart transplant (HTx) allocation should be modified to reduce priority of older patients. We aimed to evaluate post-HTx outcomes according to recipient age and specific pre-HTx conditions using a nationwide prospective cohort.

Enhancing RT-PCR Throughput and Sensitivity through Large-Scale Sample Pooling Using a Nano-Hybrid Membrane.

During the pandemic surge, including SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, pooling samples emerged as an efficient strategy to identify infected individuals in large groups. While pooling enhances RT-PCR throughput, reducing costs and resources, it dilutes positive samples with negative ones, lowering sensitivity and increasing false negatives. This study proposes a new method to address the trade-off between pool sizes and RT-PCR accuracy.

Visual impairment prevention by early detection of diabetic retinopathy based on stacked auto-encoder.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) presents a significant concern among diabetic patients, often leading to vision impairment or blindness if left untreated. Traditional diagnosis methods are prone to human error, necessitating accurate alternatives. While various computer-aided systems have been developed to assist in DR detection, there remains a need for accurate and efficient methods to classify its stages.

Lung cancer organoid-based drug evaluation models and new drug development application trends.

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality rates in both men and women worldwide. Although anticancer drugs are prescribed to treat lung cancer patients, individual responses to these drugs vary, making it crucial to identify the most suitable treatment for each patient. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an anticancer drug efficacy prediction model that can analyze drug efficacy before patient treatment and establish personalized treatment strategies.

Enhancement of Thermal, Mechanical, and Oxidative Properties of Polypropylene Composites with Exfoliated Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanosheets.

This study investigates the enhancement of polypropylene (PP) composites through the incorporation of exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets. The preparation process involved exfoliating h-BN in a liquid phase using a high-pressure homogenizer, followed by the coating of PP pellets with the exfoliated nanosheets using an acoustic mixer. Melt extrusion was then employed to fabricate h-BN-reinforced PP composite films.

Performance and clinical implications of machine learning models for detecting cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: a systematic review.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a significant spinal condition that can lead to severe neurological deficits. Recent advancements in machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) have led to the development of promising tools for the early detection and diagnosis of OPLL. This systematic review evaluated the diagnostic performance of ML and DL models and clinical implications in OPLL detection.

Diabetes Fact Sheets in Korea 2024.

Backgruound: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, management, and comorbidities of diabetes mellitus among Korean adults.

Methods: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019-2022) were analyzed to assess the prevalence, treatment, risk factors, and comorbidities of diabetes. Comparisons between young and older adults with diabetes were emphasized.

Big Data Research for Diabetes-Related Diseases Using the Korean National Health Information Database.

The Korean National Health Information Database (NHID), which contains nationwide real-world claims data including sociodemographic data, health care utilization data, health screening data, and healthcare provider information, is a powerful resource to test various hypotheses. It is also longitudinal in nature due to the recommended health checkup every 2 years and is appropriate for long-term follow-up study as well as evaluating the relationships between health outcomes and changes in parameters such as lifestyle factors, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory results. However, because these data are not collected for research purposes, precise operational definitions of diseases are required to facilitate big data analysis using the Korean NHID.

Spontaneous Nystagmus Violating the Alexander's Law: Neural Substrates and Mechanisms.

Alexander's law states that spontaneous nystagmus increases when looking in the direction of fast-phase and decreases during gaze in slow-phase direction. Disobedience to Alexander's law is occasionally observed in central nystagmus, but the underlying neural circuit mechanisms are poorly understood. In a retrospective analysis of 2,652 patients with posterior circulations stroke, we found a violation of Alexander's law in one or both directions of lateral gaze in 17 patients with lesions of unilateral lateral medulla affecting the vestibular nucleus.

Isoxazole-based molecules restore NK cell immune surveillance in hepatocarcinogenesis by targeting TM4SF5 and SLAMF7 linkage.

Dynamic communication between hepatocytes and the environment is critical in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Clinical immunotherapy against HCC is currently unsatisfactory and needs more systemic considerations, including the identification of new biomarkers and immune checkpoints. Transmembrane 4 L six family member 5 (TM4SF5) is known to promote HCC, but it remains unclear how cancerous hepatocytes avoid immune surveillance and whether avoidance can be blocked.

Predicting distant metastatic sites of cancer using perturbed correlations of miRNAs with competing endogenous RNAs.

Cancer metastasis is the dissemination of tumor cells from the primary tumor site to other parts of the body via the lymph system or bloodstream. Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer associated death. Despite the significant advances in cancer research and treatment over the past decades, metastasis is not fully understood and difficult to predict in advance.

Interconnectedness of borderline personality pathology and affective temperaments in patients with mood disorders: a network analysis.

Purpose: Mood disorders frequently coexist with borderline personality pathology (BPP), presenting considerable clinical challenges. Affective temperaments (AT) play a role in modulating mood disorders and influence the manifestation of illness. BPP and AT share common characteristics, such as emotional instability, impulsivity, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.

Advancements in Frank's sign Identification using deep learning on 3D brain MRI.

Frank's sign (FS) is a diagnostic marker associated with aging and various health conditions. Despite its clinical significance, there lacks a standardized method for its identification. This study aimed to develop a deep learning model for automated FS detection in 3D facial images derived from MRI scans.

Effect of Fasting Status on Association between Exposure to Phthalate and Phenolics, and Thyroid Hormones in Adult Women of Reproductive Age.

Diet is one of the important exposure sources for many urinary chemicals that have been investigated in association studies for thyroid hormone outcomes. For these chemicals, the fasting status of the study population can substantially affect the results of urinary biomonitoring. Such variability presents challenges for cross-sectional association studies, particularly when the substances of concern have short excretion half-lives.

Vitamin D deficiency may accelerate cognitive decline in female apolipoprotein E ε4 non-carriers.

Background & Aims: The impact of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) on cognition remains controversial. Evidences suggest that variability based on apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status and gender, given APOE ε4's influence on vitamin D metabolism and women's heightened vitamin D sensitivity. We investigated the interplay between APOE ε4, gender, and VDD in cognitive decline among older adults.