Induction of Nephron-Ductal Dual Lineages via Early Retinoic Acid Signaling Establishes a Platform for Fully Patterned Kidney Organoids.

Kidney organoids are powerful tools for renal disease modeling and nephrotoxicity screening, yet their limited structural complexity-particularly the underdevelopment of ureteric bud (UB) lineages-remains a major limitation. A novel differentiation protocol is developed that short-term activation of retinoic acid (RA) signaling during the early intermediate mesoderm (IM) stage, enabling co-induction of anterior and posterior IM lineages. This eliminates the need for UB co-culture and supports the formation of kidney organoids containing complete nephron segments.

Impact of medical crisis on the critical care system in South Korea.

Background: The ongoing medical crisis in Korea has severely impacted the operational environment of intensive care units (ICU), posing significant challenges to quality care for critically ill patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the ongoing crisis on ICUs.

Methods: A survey was conducted in July 2024 among intensivists in charge of ICUs at institutions accredited by the Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine for critical care.

Use of Double Cages for Biportal Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Comparison of 3-Dimensional-Printed Titanium and Polyetheretherketone Cages.

Background: This study aimed to compare a 3-dimensional (3D)-printed titanium cage with a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage in biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (BETLIF) using a double cage construct, evaluate differences in fusion stability and subsidence between the 2 cage types, and analyze factors influencing subsidence.

Methods: We retrospectively examined 89 patients who underwent BETLIF using a double cage (3D-printed titanium, 48 levels; PEEK, 46 levels). Fusion status and subsidence were assessed using dynamic plain lateral lumbar spine radiographs and computed tomography images at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively.

Bilateral-Contralateral Endoscopic Decompression as a Fusion-Deferral Strategy in Upper Lumbar Stenosis: A Structural Rationale and Conditional Framework-A Technical Note with Cases Review.

Upper lumbar spinal stenosis presents unique challenges because vertically oriented facet joints and narrow laminae increase the risk of iatrogenic instability following decompression. Traditional decompression techniques may damage the facet joints, potentially resulting in further instability and degeneration. This study introduces a novel, facet-preserving bilateral-contralateral decompression strategy using unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) for upper lumbar stenosis, aiming to defer unnecessary spinal fusion.

High-resolution analysis of seasonal spatial variation for urban air pollution: Implications for exposure assessment.

Exposure to air pollutants is associated with significant health effects. Accurate exposure assessment remains a critical yet challenging aspect of environmental health research. Although air quality monitoring station (AQMS) data are commonly used as a surrogate for personal exposure, diverse spatial-temporal variations can lead to significant exposure misclassification.

N-terminal helix formation and dimer-monomer transition of FGF10 in specific recognition of FGFR2b.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are crucial for various cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, tissue repair, and immune responses. FGF10, part of the FGF7 subfamily, binds to the FGFR2b receptor via heparin sulfate. We determined the crystal structure of human FGF10 alone.

Importance of Target Gene Locus on the Stability of Recombinant Viruses in the Baculovirus Expression System.

In the baculovirus expression system, recombinant viruses generated via bacmids often exhibit reduced expression and genetic stability of target genes during serial passages. This instability is thought to arise from the proximity of non-essential exogenous genes to the target gene insertion site. This study investigated the impact of the target gene insertion locus on its expression and stability within the recombinant viral genome.

Intramedullary nailing using K-wires for high-energy distal humeral metaphyseal-diaphyseal fractures accompanying radial nerve palsy in a 2-year-old toddler: A case report.

Rationale: Pediatric distal humeral diaphyseal fractures are rare and challenging to manage due to anatomical and biomechanical complexities. In addition, humeral shaft fractures in adults are often accompanied by radial nerve paralysis (RNP), but there are no studies on the incidence or treatment of pediatric humeral shaft fractures accompanied by RNP in toddlers. The authors present the outcomes of closed reduction and intramedullary nailing using Kirschner wires (K-wires) for high-energy distal humeral metaphyseal-diaphyseal open fractures accompanied by RNP in a toddler.

Carboxymethyl cellulose-polylactic acid particles for inhibiting anoikis and enhancing wound healing efficacy of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Adult human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) injection into the wound site promotes angiogenesis and the wound-closing process by secreting various growth and immune-modulating factors. However, lower cell attachment sites and the hypoxic microenvironment in the wound site limit their viability and engraftment rate, leading to programmed cell death, anoikis. We synthesized carboxymethyl cellulose-coated polylactic acid (CMC-PLA) particles to prevent anoikis by providing an attachable surface for hMSCs.

Development of a New Diagnostic Tool (LUTS/BPH Score) for Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Purpose: To develop a new diagnostic tool, the LUTS/BPH score, for male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which integrates the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), prostate size, and urinary flow rate.

Materials And Methods: From an initial pool of 75,199 subjects, 12,891 patients met the inclusion criteria. For the statistical analysis used to develop the new LUTS/BPH score, data were refined through outlier removal, normalization, and the collection of relevant variables.

Differential HCC risk among HBV indeterminate types at baseline and by phase transition.

Background: Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with indeterminate phase make up a diverse cohort with likely different outcomes.

Objective: We compared the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in indeterminate CHB with different baseline types and by phase transition.

Design: This was a retrospective cohort study of 1986 (94.

Distribution, Characteristics, and Natural History of Diverse Types of Indeterminate Chronic Hepatitis B: A REAL-B Study.

Background And Aims: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with indeterminate phase comprises a heterogeneous group of patients. We determined the prevalence of indeterminate CHB overall and characterised novel types and phase transition probabilities of novel types of indeterminate CHB.

Methods: CHB patients were enrolled retrospectively from 24 centres (9 countries/regions).

Rapid and Economic Baculovirus Titer Determination Using a Novel Transgenic Sf9-QE Cell Line.

A baculovirus expression system (BES) for the production of recombinant proteins requires rapid and easy virus titer determination. In this study, a novel direct titration method was developed using a novel Sf9-QE cell line to easily and economically determine virus titers in a short time. This direct titration method can determine virus titers by directly counting the initially infected cells.

Reinforcing Stromal Cell Spheroid Through Red-Light Preconditioning for Advanced Vascularization.

Despite the promising potential of stromal cell therapy in treating myocardial infarction (MI), its effectiveness is limited by poor cell retention and engraftment in ischemic environments. This study introduces a novel strategy that combines the preconditioning of human adipose-derived stromal cells (hADSCs) using OLED-based photobiomodulation (OPBM) and culturing these cells into 3D spheroids. The preconditioned 3D spheroids (APCS group) exhibit significantly enhanced angiogenic, arterialized, and tissue remodeling capabilities compared with those of traditional 2D cultures and non-preconditioned spheroids.

Anti-fibrotic effects of Saengmaek-san, a prescription of traditional Korean medicine in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mice model.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Saengmaek-san (SMS) is a herbal prescription comprising Liriope platyphylla, Panax ginseng, and Schisandra chinensis. In traditional Korean medicine (TKM), SMS has been used to treat a condition known as the dual deficiency of qi and yin in the lungs, a syndrome characterized by the depletion of vitality and body fluids, often resulting from heat exhaustion. SMS has primarily been used to promote fluid production, alleviate dry cough, and relieve progressive dyspnea.

Guidelines for the Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer from the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery.

Objectives: Effective treatment of laryngeal cancer requires clinical decision-making that balances survival outcomes with the preservation of essential functions, such as voice and swallowing. This study, led by the Clinical Practice Guideline Committee of the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery, aims to establish evidence-based recommendations to guide surgeons in optimizing treatment decisions for patients with laryngeal cancer.

Methods: A literature search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed databases by a literature search expert and subsequently reviewed by a panel of 39 committee experts.

O-arm navigation-based transforaminal unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy for upper lumbar disc herniation: an innovative preliminary study.

Study Design: Technical case report.

Purpose: To present a novel navigation-assisted transforaminal unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) lumbar discectomy technique for managing upper lumbar disc herniation.

Overview Of Literature: Upper lumbar disc herniation is significantly less common than lower lumbar disc herniation, accounting for only 1%-2% of cases.

Loss of protein phosphatase 4 inhibitory protein leads to genomic instability and heightens vulnerability to replication stress.

Protein phosphatase 4 inhibitory protein (PP4IP) has recently emerged as a key player in cellular processes, particularly in DNA double-strand break repair and telomere maintenance, although research on its functions remains limited. To further investigate the cellular pathways involving PP4IP, we conducted transcriptomic analysis via RNA sequencing in PP4IP-knockout cells and observed an upregulation of p21 expression. This upregulation was linked to an increased population of p21-positive G1-phase cells in the absence of PP4IP.

Electroencephalography Changes During Cybersickness: Focusing on Delta and Alpha Waves.

Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive technology capable of simulating alternate realities, however, it often leads to cybersickness, causing discomfort for users. We conducted an experiment using a group of 30 participants (aged 25 ± 2.1 years) to see the alpha and delta wave changes for three conditions: Blank, Video, and Video Pause, with electroencephalography (EEG) recordings.

IGZO-Based Electronic Device Application: Advancements in Gas Sensor, Logic Circuit, Biosensor, Neuromorphic Device, and Photodetector Technologies.

Metal oxide semiconductors, such as indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), have attracted significant attention from researchers in the fields of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) for decades. This interest is driven by their high electron mobility of over ~10 cm/V·s and excellent transmittance of more than ~80%. Amorphous IGZO (a-IGZO) offers additional advantages, including compatibility with various processes and flexibility making it suitable for applications in flexible and wearable devices.

Safety and Utility of Bilateral-contralateral Decompression for Adjacent Segment Stenosis After Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy.

Study Design: Retrospective case series study.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of bilateral-contralateral decompression using unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) for treating adjacent segment disease (ASD) after lumbar interbody fusion (LIF).

Summary Of Background Data: ASD is a well-documented complication following LIF, often requiring additional surgical interventions.

Correction: HfO-based ferroelectric synaptic devices: challenges and engineering solutions.

Correction for 'HfO-based ferroelectric synaptic devices: challenges and engineering solutions' by Taegyu Kwon , , 2025, , 3061-3080, https://doi.org/10.1039/d4cc05293e.

Characteristics and exposure determinants of PM, formaldehyde, and total volatile organic compounds in residential indoor air in Korea.

Indoor air pollutant levels can be affected by both internal and external factors. However, most epidemiological studies have focused on outdoor air pollution. Here, we aimed to provide nationally representative data on residential air quality in Korea and to identify the determinants of residential air quality.

Functional Alignment Achieved a More Balanced Knee After Robotic Arm-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty than Modified Kinematic Alignment.

: The aim of this study was to evaluate the balance in extension and flexion achievable after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a modified kinematic alignment (KA) plan and the subsequent balance achievable after adjusting the component based on the functional alignment (FA) principle. : This retrospective cohort study included 100 consecutive patients who underwent primary TKA for knee osteoarthritis through an image-based robotic system in a single center between October 2021 and February 2022. Whether modified KA or FA could achieve a balanced knee was evaluated by assessing the ligament balance in the medial and lateral compartments using a robotic system at extension and 90° flexion.