Migration characteristics and toxic effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorobutane sulfonate in tobacco.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and its new substitute, perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), are increasing in concentration in the environment annually, and their toxicity cannot be ignored. With an increasing amount of PFOS and PFBS entering the environment, especially into farmland soil, it is very likely to pollute tobacco-planting soil. Therefore, we chose tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.

Evaluation of RMplex system for differentiating father-son pairs using Y-STRs in a Korean population.

Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) at rapidly mutating (RM) loci have been suggested as tools for differentiating paternally related males. RMplex is a recently developed system that incorporates 26 RM loci and four fast-mutating (FM) loci, targeting 44 male-specific loci. Here, we evaluated the RMplex by estimating Y-STR mutation rates and the overall differentiation rates for 542 Korean father-son pairs, as well as the genetic population values for 409 unrelated males.

Nomogram-based Approach for Predicting Complication Risks Following Prepectoral Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Despite the recent steep rise in the use of prepectoral direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction, concerns remain regarding the potentially risk of complications, resulting in the selective application of the technique; however, the selection process was empirically based on the operator's decision. Using patient and operation-related factors, this study aimed to develop a nomogram for predicting postoperative complications following prepectoral DTI reconstruction.

Methods: Between August 2019 and March 2023, immediate prepectoral DTI was performed for all patients deemed suitable for one-stage implant-based reconstruction.

Consolidation of the Anteromedial Aspect of the Tibia is Inferior to The Other Areas in the Reconstruction of Critical-Sized Bone Defect of the Tibial Shaft using the Induced Membrane Technique: An Analysis of 111 Serial Computed Tomography of 37 patients.

Objectives: To compare the consolidation quality between the anteromedial aspect of regenerated bone (AMRB) and other areas of regenerated bone (TORB) following the induced membrane technique (IMT) for managing critical-sized tibial shaft bone defects, and determine the factors affecting consolidation quality in the AMRB.

Methods: Design: Retrospective comparative study.

Setting: Academic Level I trauma center.

Optimizing Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia for Cancer Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Adjusted Background Infusion Rates.

Purpose: Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) has been considered for managing cancer pain; however, limited research has been conducted on optimizing continuous infusion rates with PCA. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a method that optimizes background infusion (BI) alongside PCA for titrating intravenous (IV) morphine in managing cancer-related pain.

Methods: Forty-four patients with solid tumors who could not manage pain with oral or transdermal opioid analgesics were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive IV morphine through PCA or the conventional method.

Prediction of cccDNA dynamics in hepatitis B patients by a combination of serum surrogate markers.

Quantification of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is a key for evaluating an elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in infected patients. However, quantifying cccDNA requires invasive methods such as a liver biopsy, which makes it impractical to access the dynamics of cccDNA in patients. Although HBV RNA and HBV core-related antigens (HBcrAg) have been proposed as surrogate markers for evaluating cccDNA activity, they do not necessarily estimate the amount of cccDNA.

Fluorine-rich poly(arylene amine) membranes for the separation of liquid aliphatic compounds.

We explored the potential for membrane materials to reduce energy and carbon requirements for the separation of aliphatic hydrocarbon feedstocks and products. We developed a series of fluorine-rich poly(arylene amine) polymer membranes that feature rigid polymer backbones with segregated perfluoroalkyl side chains. This combination imbues the polymers with resistance to dilation induced by hydrocarbon immersion without the loss of solution-based membrane fabrication techniques.

Superstable lipid vacuoles endow cartilage with its shape and biomechanics.

Conventionally, the size, shape, and biomechanics of cartilages are determined by their voluminous extracellular matrix. By contrast, we found that multiple murine cartilages consist of lipid-filled cells called lipochondrocytes. Despite resembling adipocytes, lipochondrocytes were molecularly distinct and produced lipids exclusively through de novo lipogenesis.

The impact of recognition, fairness, and leadership on employee outcomes: A large-scale multi-group analysis.

In the dynamic field of organizational behavior, comprehending the determinants of employee engagement, burnout, and job satisfaction is pivotal. This research investigates the influence of various workplace factors, such as recognition, fairness, leadership, and workload, on these key employee outcomes. Utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for analysis, the study examines data from 25,285 employees.

An exploratory study on the perception of the over-the-top (OTT) industry among film and media production major university students: Utilizing the Q methodology.

This study investigates the perceptions of university students majoring in film and media production (FMP) regarding the over-the-top (OTT) industry. We used the Q methodology to achieve this study's purpose, with 33 Q sets and 22 university students majoring in FMP. The study revealed three perception structures of FMP major university students regarding the OTT industry.

Topographic changes in macula and its association with visual outcomes in idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery.

Purpose: We investigated changes in macular topography and their association with visual acuity and metamorphopsia in the idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM).

Methods: Twenty-four eyes that underwent vitrectomy and ERM removal with internal limiting membrane peeling were included in this study. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and horizontal/vertical metamorphopsia scores (h and vM-scores in the M-chart) were assessed.

A META analysis and systematic review of the effects of exercise interventions on middle-aged and elderly patients with depression.

Objective: This study sought to conduct a meticulous systematic review, delving into the efficacy of exercise interventions on depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults. Additionally, we aimed to scrutinize the nuanced influence of various intervention factors on the intricate relationship between exercise and depressive symptoms within this demographic.

Methods: Our investigation involved an extensive search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, spanning from the inception of these repositories to December 2023.

Secure privacy-preserving record linkage system from re-identification attack.

Privacy-preserving record linkage (PPRL) technology, crucial for linking records across datasets while maintaining privacy, is susceptible to graph-based re-identification attacks. These attacks compromise privacy and pose significant risks, such as identity theft and financial fraud. This study proposes a zero-relationship encoding scheme that minimizes the linkage between source and encoded records to enhance PPRL systems' resistance to re-identification attacks.

Deep learning model for identifying acute heart failure patients using electrocardiography in the emergency room.

Background: Acute heart failure (AHF) poses significant diagnostic challenges in the emergency room (ER) because of its varied clinical presentation and limitations of traditional diagnostic methods. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a deep-learning model using electrocardiogram (ECG) data to enhance AHF identification in the ER.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed the ECG data of 19,285 patients who visited ERs of three hospitals between 2016 and 2020; 9,119 with available left ventricular ejection fraction and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide level data and who were diagnosed with AHF were included in the study.

Effect of Glomerular Hyperfiltration on Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: The effects of glomerular hyperfiltration (GHF) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were explored.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study enrolled 1,952,053 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database between 2015 and 2016. Based on age- and sex-specific estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) percentiles, patients were classified into five groups: <5 (low filtration), 5-40, 40-60, 60-95, and >95 (GHF).

sp. nov., isolated from human epidermis.

Five pink-pigmented bacterial strains, isolated from human skin and classified within the genus , were examined. Among them, four were identified as , while strain OT10 was deemed to be a potential novel species. Strain OT10 exhibited characteristics, such as Gram-stain-negative, oxidase positive, motile, strictly aerobic and rod shaped.

Validation of the 2022 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for giant cell arteritis in Koran patients with giant cell arteritis.

Objectives: We applied the 2022 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European Alliance of Association for Rheumatology (EULAR) criteria to Korean patients previously diagnosed with giant cell arteritis (GCA) according to the 1990 ACR criteria and validated its clinical efficiency.

Methods: Nine patients with GCA were included in this study. The proportion of patients meeting each item of the 1990 ACR criteria and the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria were assessed.

Regional Trends and Spatial Gradients of Total Column Methane over India, China, and USA─Implications for Emissions from Coal Mining and Oil/Gas Exploitation.

Observation-based verification of regional/national methane (CH) emission trends is crucial for transparent monitoring and mitigation strategy planning. Although surface observations track the global and sub-hemispheric emission trends well, their sparse spatial coverage limits our ability to assess regional trends. Dense satellite observations complement surface observations, offering a valuable means to validate emission trends, especially in regions where emissions changes are substantial but debated.

Formation Cycle Control for Enhanced Structural Stability of Ni-Rich LiNiCoMnO Cathodes.

Nickel-rich NCM cathode materials promise lithium-ion batteries with a high energy density. However, an increased Ni fraction in the cathode leads to complex phase transformations with electrode-electrolyte side reactions, which cause rapid capacity fading. Here, we show that an initial formation cycle at 0.

Exploring the link between sex hormone-binding globulin levels and prostate cancer risk: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) plays a critical role in regulating androgen bioavailability and has been hypothesized to influence prostate cancer risk, though existing evidence is inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between SHBG levels and prostate cancer risk.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies published up to December 1, 2024.

Fluorescent N-Doped Carbon Dots as a Biocompatible Sensor for Thiophanate-Methyl Detection.

An eco-friendly nitrogen-passivated carbon dot (N-CDs)-based fluorescent sensor was designed for the selective and sensitive detection of thiophanate-methyl, a widely applied fungicide in agriculture. The synthesized N-CDs exhibited robust fluorescence and remarkable photostability, which contributed to the sensor's performance. Notably, the sensor achieved a detection limit as low as 4.

Immunomodulation Effects of Porcine Cartilage Acellularized Matrix (pCAM) for Osteoarthritis Treatment.

Background: Pain reduction, immunomodulation, and cartilage repair are key therapeutic goals in osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of porcine cartilage acellularized matrix (pCAM) derived from naive tissue and compared it with the synthetic material polynucleotides (PN) for OA treatment.

Methods: pCAM was produced from porcine cartilage through physicochemical processing.

Mild behavioral impairment in idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder and Lewy body disease continuum.

To investigate the clinical impact of mild behavioral impairment (MBI) in a predefined cohort with Lewy body disease (LBD) continuum. Eighty-four patients in the LBD continuum participated in this study, including 35 patients with video-polysomnography-confirmed idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) and 49 clinically established LBD. Evaluations included the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), neuropsychological tests, and MBI Checklist (MBI-C).

Intra-individual comparison of long-term outcomes between combined and indirect bypass surgery in adult moyamoya disease.

Purpose: Bypass surgery is regarded as the standard treatment option for symptomatic and hemodynamically unstable moyamoya disease (MMD). However, there is ongoing debate about the most effective type of bypass surgery. We aimed to analyze the long-term outcomes of combined and indirect bypasses for MMD patients through intra-individual comparisons.