Development and Effects of a Smartphone Application to Improve Self-Management in Workers Who Underwent Thyroid Cancer Surgery.

Background: Although the survival rate for thyroid cancer is high, a nursing intervention that enhances autonomous motivation is needed for patients with jobs to improve their long-term self-management abilities in the early postoperative period.

Objectives: This study aims to develop a mobile application (app) based on the Self-Determination Theory for patients returning to work after thyroid cancer surgery and to verify its effectiveness.

Methods: We developed an app to promote self-management and verify its effectiveness after 12 weeks in early outpatients who underwent thyroid cancer surgery through a randomized controlled trial design.

Similar but Different Three Major Traditional Medicines in East Asia: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Objective: Traditional medicine (TM) has played a key role in the health care system of East Asian countries, including China, Japan and South Korea. This bibliometric study analyzes the recent research status of these three TMs, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), traditional Korean medicine (TKM), and Kampo medicine (KM).

Methods: Research topics of studies published for recent 10 years (2014 to 2023), through a search on MEDLINE via PubMed, was analyzed.

Integrating LC-MS/MS and In Silico Methods to Uncover Bioactive Compounds with Lipase Inhibitory Potential in the Antarctic Moss Warnstorfia fontinaliopsis.

Antarctic organisms are known for producing unique secondary metabolites, and this study specifically focuses on the less-explored metabolites of the moss Warnstorfia fontinaliopsis. To evaluate their potential bioactivity, we extracted secondary metabolites using four different solvents and identified significant lipase inhibitory activity in the methanol extract. Non-targeted metabolomic analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on this extract predicted the presence of 12 compounds, including several not previously reported in mosses.

A Five-Year Analysis of Market Share and Sales Growth for Original Drugs after Patent Expiration in Korea.

Introduction: The sales patterns of original drugs after patent expiration in Korea show a relatively high market share and continuous sales growth differently from those in the U.S. and European countries.

Microsurgical clipping remains a viable option for the treatment of coilable ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms in the endovascular era.

Although many institutions increasingly perform endovascular coiling instead of microsurgical clipping as the primary treatment for ruptured aneurysms, there remains ongoing debate regarding the optimal treatment strategy for ruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. Therefore, we compared the outcomes of clipping and coiling for treating ruptured MCA aneurysms. A total of 155 ruptured MCA aneurysms that were deemed eligible for both clipping and coiling were retrospectively reviewed.

Accuracy and feasibility of continuous glucose monitoring system in pancreatectomy patients.

Purpose: Pancreatectomy patients often experience challenging fluctuations in blood glucose levels; therefore, they require a reliable monitoring system. This study aimed to determine the accuracy and acceptability of a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system compared with the intermittent capillary glucose test in patients who have undergone pancreatectomy.

Methods: Thirty non-diabetic pancreatectomy patients participated.

Digital Profiling of Tumor Extracellular Vesicle-Associated RNAs Directly from Unprocessed Blood Plasma.

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicle (tEV)-associated RNAs hold promise as diagnostic biomarkers, but their clinical use is hindered by the rarity of tEVs among nontumor EVs. Here, we present EV-CLIP, a highly sensitive droplet-based digital method for profiling EV RNA. EV-CLIP utilizes the fusion of EVs with charged liposomes (CLIPs) in a microfluidic chip.

Efficacy and Safety of Secondary Surgical Treatment for Refractory Recurrent Corneal Erosion.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and safety of secondary surgical intervention of combined phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) with alcohol delamination and peripheral anterior stromal puncture (ASP) for refractory recurrent corneal erosion (RCE).

Methods: This retrospective comparative study defined refractory RCE as cases persisting for more than 6 months after primary surgical intervention. A total of 115 eyes from 115 patients with refractory RCE, treated either with (n = 92) or without (n = 23) the secondary surgical treatment combining PTK and ASP between January 2021 and January 2023, were included.

Seltorexant for major depressive disorder.

Introduction: Preclinical and clinical pharmacologic evidence indicate that orexin systems are relevant to sleep-wake cycle regulation and dimensions of reward and cognition, providing the basis to hypothesizing that they may be effective as therapeutics in mental disorders. Due to the limited efficacy and tolerability profiles of existing treatments for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), investigational compounds in novel treatment classes are needed; seltorexant, an orexin receptor antagonist, is a potential new treatment currently under investigation.

Areas Covered: Mechanisms implicated in MDD, including reward and sleep are first overviewed.

Temperature Dependence of Optical Properties of MoS and WS Heterostructures Assessed by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry.

We report the complex dielectric function = + of MoS/WS and WS/MoS heterostructures and their constituent monolayers MoS and WS for an energy range from 1.5 to 6.0 eV and temperatures from 39 to 300 K.

Tin(IV)Porphyrin-Based Porous Coordination Polymers as Efficient Visible Light Photocatalyst for Wastewater Remediation.

Two porphyrin-based polymeric frameworks, SnP-BTC and SnP-BTB, as visible light photocatalysts for wastewater remediation were prepared by the solvothermal reaction of -dihydroxo-[5,15,10,20-tetrakis(phenyl)porphyrinato]tin(IV) (SnP) with 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (HBTC) and 1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene (HBTB), respectively. The strong bond between the carboxylic acid group of HBTC and HBTB with the axial hydroxyl moiety of SnP leads to the formation of highly stable polymeric architectures. Incorporating the carboxylic acid group onto the surface of SnP changes the conformational frameworks as well as produces rigid structural transformation that includes permanent porosity, good thermodynamic stability, interesting morphology, and excellent photocatalytic degradation activity against AM dye and TC antibiotic under visible light irradiation.

Utilizing Indonesian Empty Palm Fruit Bunches: Biochar Synthesis via Temperatures Dependent Pyrolysis.

Biomass, though a major energy source, remains underutilized. Biochar from biomass pyrolysis, with its high porosity and surface area, is especially useful as catalyst support, enhancing catalytic activity and reducing electron recombination in photocatalysis. Indonesia, the world's top palm oil producer, generated around 12 million tons of empty fruit bunches (EFBs) in 2023, making EFBs a promising biochar source.

Solar Light-Driven Efficient Degradation of Organic Pollutants Mediated by S-Scheme MoS@TiO-Layered Structures.

This study focuses on achieving high photocatalytic activity using MoS/TiO heterostructures (MOT). To this end, MoS and TiO were synthesized by employing hydrothermal synthesis techniques, and then MoS/TiO heterostructures were synthesized by using 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 ratios of MoS and TiO, respectively. While the structural and electronic changes for the 1:2 and 1:3 ratios were relatively minor, significant modifications in bandgaps and morphology were observed for the 1:1 and 1:4 ratios.

Electrical Characteristics of Solution-Based Thin-Film Transistors with a Zinc-Tin Oxide/Carbon Nanotube Stacked Nanocomposite Active Layer.

A stacked nanocomposite zinc-tin oxide/single-walled carbon nanotubes (ZTO/SWNTs) active layer was fabricated for thin-film transistors (TFTs) as an alternative to the conventional single-layer structure of mixed ZTO and SWNTs. The stacked nanocomposite of the solution-processed TFTs was prepared using UV/O treatment and multiple annealing steps for each layer. The electrical properties of the stacked device were superior to those of the single-layer TFT.

Formation of Wrinkled Nanostructures via Surface-Bulk Curing Disparity in Ethyl Cyanoacrylate: Toward Superhydrophobic Surface Applications.

Superhydrophobic surfaces, known for their exceptional water-repellent properties with contact angles exceeding 150°, are highly regarded for their effectiveness in applications including self-cleaning, antifouling, and ice prevention. However, the structural fragility and weak durability of conventional coating limit their long-term use. In this research, a new approach is proposed for the fabrication of long-lasting superhydrophobic surfaces using ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA) and a primer.

Pre-Melting-Assisted Impurity Control of β-GaO Single Crystals in Edge-Defined Film-Fed Growth.

This study reveals the significant role of the pre-melting process in growing high-quality (100) β-GaO single crystals from 4N powder (99.995% purity) using the edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) method. Among various bulk melt growth methods, the EFG method boasts a fast growth rate and the capability of growing multiple crystals simultaneously, thus offering high productivity.

Harnessing the Power of Machine Learning Guided Discovery of NLRP3 Inhibitors Towards the Effective Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The NLRP3 inflammasome, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by activating inflammatory cytokines such as IL1β and IL18. Targeting NLRP3 has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for RA. In this study, a multidisciplinary approach combining machine learning, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling, structure-activity landscape index (SALI), docking, molecular dynamics (MD), and molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area MM/PBSA assays was employed to identify novel NLRP3 inhibitors.

Induction of SUSD2 by STAT3 Activation Is Associated with Tumor Recurrence in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.

Sushi domain-containing protein 2 (SUSD2), a transmembrane protein containing a sushi motif, has been reported to have tumor-promoting functions in various types of cancer, including breast cancer. However, the regulatory mechanism of SUSD2 and its function in HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer have not been fully identified as yet. In this study, we explored the potential of targeting SUSD2 to overcome trastuzumab (TRZ) resistance in HER2+ breast cancer.

Hair Regeneration Methods Using Cells Derived from Human Hair Follicles and Challenges to Overcome.

The hair follicle is a complex of mesenchymal and epithelial cells acquiring different properties and characteristics responsible for fulfilling its inductive and regenerative role. The epidermal and dermal crosstalk induces morphogenesis and maintains hair follicle cycling properties. The hair follicle is enriched with pluripotent stem cells, where dermal papilla (DP) cells and dermal sheath (DS) cells constitute the dermal compartment and the epithelial stem cells existing in the bulge region exert their regenerative role by mediating the epithelial-mesenchymal interaction (EMI).

Increased Risk of End-Stage Kidney Disease After Traumatic Amputation: Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Amputation confers disabilities upon patients and is associated with substantial cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity and mortality. We aimed to compare the incidence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) between individuals with amputation and the general population.

Methods: A population-based retrospective cohort study was performed using the Nationwide Health Insurance Service database for the period between 2010 and 2018.

The Effect of Home-Based Robotic Rehabilitation on Individuals with Disabilities in Community Settings: A Pilot Study.

With South Korea's growing aging population, the demand for accessible rehabilitation solutions is increasing. Home-based robotic rehabilitation presents a feasible alternative to conventional in-clinic rehabilitation. This study explores the impact of the Rebless robotic rehabilitation device in a home-based setting for people with physical disabilities and their caregivers.

Perspective on Leisure Sports Participation Among Older Adults in a Super-Aging Society: Focusing on Health Concern, Athletic Passion, Leisure Satisfaction, and Intent to Continue Participating in Leisure Sports.

Today, society has a growing interest in healthy aging. This study analyzed health concerns, leisure satisfaction, athletic passion, and intention to continue participating in leisure sports of various age groups as well as the elderly, and we empirically analyzed the differences. : This study conducted a survey of 306 adult men and women who regularly participated in leisure sports.

A Study on Adolescent Smoking Prevention and Cessation Policies: Based on the Propensity Score Matching-Difference-in-Differences Method.

: Adolescent smoking can lead to various health problems including atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, making it more difficult to quit smoking during adulthood. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the ordinance by assessing adolescents' smoking cessation behaviors and environmental conditions, according to the "Ordinance for the Prevention of Child and Adolescent Smoking and Support for Smoking Cessation", which was enacted in 2019 in Gwangju City, South Korea, for the first time in the country. : The data for the analysis were obtained from the 2018 and 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

Correlation Study Between TV Viewing Variables and Cognitive Level, Depression Level, and Activities of Daily Living in Older Individuals Living Alone.

Although there are studies on TV viewing and the health status of elderly, they do not present direct associations with specific variables. The aim of this study was to determine correlations between TV viewing variables and elderly health variables in older adults living alone. Data were collected from 50 elderly individuals with an average age of 82.

A multicenter micro-costing analysis of flexible cystoscopic procedures in Korea.

Purpose: This study aims to develop and implement an economic evaluation using a micro-costing approach to provide a precise and transparent analysis of the direct costs of cystoscopic procedures in Korean hospitals. The study seeks to identify key cost components and evaluate whether current reimbursement rates accurately reflect these direct costs.

Materials And Methods: Significant variations in cost items were identified across different studies.