Liquefied Petroleum Gas or Biomass for Cooking and Effects on Blood Pressure: Results from the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) Trial.

Background: Exposure to household air pollution from burning coal and biomass for cooking is associated with higher blood pressure and other adverse indicators of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Evidence demonstrating that switching from biomass to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will reduce blood pressure is limited.

Methods: As part of a larger trial of 3200 households, we conducted a randomized trial of 342 women aged 40 to 79 years who lived in households using biomass for cooking in rural areas of Guatemala, India, Peru, and Rwanda to assess the effects of a free LPG stove and fuel intervention.

A Comprehensive and Historical Review of Minimally Invasive Scoliosis Surgery in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Analysis of Research Trends and Hotspots.

Over the past two decades, interest in minimally invasive scoliosis surgery (MISS) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has grown substantially, driven by advancements in growth-based surgical techniques. Given the substantial advancements in MISS for AIS, investigating the bibliometric data of the scientific literature is crucial to understanding the current research trend and providing valuable insights into its future directions. However, limited information on MISS for AIS exists in the literature.

Dual-mode switching of a bidirectional self-rectifying Ti/HfO/Ti device for bipolar and electronic complementary resistive switching.

This study explores the dual-mode switching behavior of bidirectional self-rectifying Ti/HfO/Ti (THT) memristors to address the growing demand for efficient in-memory computing. The device operates in electronic bipolar resistive switching (eBRS) and electronic complementary resistive switching (eCRS) modes with bidirectional self-rectifying properties, differing from conventional unidirectional self-rectifying devices. The device achieves stable dual-mode switching by utilizing electronic trapping/detrapping at oxide layers formed at the top and bottom interfaces, while the HfO layer in the middle serves as a blocking layer.

Postoperative conventional versus hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy in cervical cancer: a prospective multicenter randomized phase III trial (POHIM_P3 trial).

Background: For patients with high-risk factors such as pelvic lymph node metastasis, positive surgical margins, or parametrial involvement, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with whole-pelvic radiotherapy significantly improves survival outcomes. Hypofractionated radiation therapy, which delivers higher radiation doses over fewer sessions, enhances tumor control but raises concerns about increased normal tissue toxicity. A recent Korean phase II study (POHIM-CCRT) evaluated the safety of hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), delivering 40 Gy in 16 fractions with weekly cisplatin following radical surgery.

Temporal Dynamics and Treatment Outcomes of Hepatitis C Virus/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection: A Multicenter Retrospective Study from South Korea.

Background/aims: Due to the very low incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in South Korea, epidemiological data on hepatitis C virus (HCV)/HIV coinfection are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with HCV/HIV coinfection in South Korea.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data from patients diagnosed with HCV/HIV coinfection at 12 academic hospitals in South Korea from 2009 to 2020.

Development and validation of a risk prediction model for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma receiving atezolizumab-bevacizumab.

Background And Aims: Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (AB) has become the standard first-line treatment for advanced HCC. However, identifying reliable prognostic biomarkers remains a critical challenge. We aimed to develop a comprehensive scoring system to predict overall survival (OS) in advanced HCC patients receiving first-line AB.

Association between Antipsychotic Drug and Survival in Patients with Lung Cancer Treated with Chemoradiotherapy: A Nationwide Korean Cohort Study.

Purpose: Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) can be used to relieve psychological symptoms in patients with cancer. We investigated the nationwide use of APDs during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for patients with lung cancer and its association with overall survival (OS).

Materials And Methods: The National Health Service database was used in this retrospective cohort study.

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Urinary Catheter Incorporated with ZnO-Carbon Nanotube.

Urinary tract infections are among the most common nosocomial infections, with the majority being catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). This study demonstrated that an antimicrobial and antibiofilm urinary catheter containing zinc oxide-carbon nanotubes (ZnO-CNT) can inhibit CAUTIs in patients. ZnO-CNT polymers were synthesized by mixing ZnO and CNT using a high-shear mixer, and the synthesized ZnO-CNT polymers were incorporated into a silicone matrix to produce a ZnO-CNT urinary catheter.

Genome-Wide Association Study to Identify Genetic Factors Linked to HBV Reactivation Following Liver Transplantation in HBV-Infected Patients.

This study utilized a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to investigate the genetic variations linked to the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in patients who have undergone liver transplantation (LT), aiming to enhance understanding and improve clinical outcomes. Genotyping performed on a selected patients from the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry (KOTRY) data using high-throughput platforms with the Axiom Korea Biobank array 1.1.

Concealable physical unclonable function generation and an in-memory encryption machine using vertical self-rectifying memristors.

The importance of hardware security increases significantly to protect the vast amounts of private data stored on edge devices. Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are gaining prominence as hardware security primitives due to their ability to generate true random digital keys by exploiting the inherent randomness of the physical devices. Traditional approaches, however, require significant data movement between memory units and PUF generation circuits to perform encryption, presenting considerable energy efficiency and security challenges.

Enhancing Uniformity, Read Voltage Margin, and Retention in Three-Dimensional and Self-Rectifying Vertical Pt/TaO/AlO/TiN Memristors.

This study introduces a TaO-based self-rectifying memristor (SRM) with an AlO interfacial layer adopted to improve switching uniformity, read voltage margin, and long-term retention. The Pt/TaO/AlO/TiN (PTAT) device exhibits a 10 rectification ratio, 10 on/off ratio, 2 × 10 endurance, and retention of 10 s at 150 °C. A 3-layer 4 × 4 vertical resistive random access memory structure exhibits uniform switching parameters.

Protein Biomarkers of Adverse Clinical Features and Events in Sarcomeric Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heterogeneous condition that can lead to atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death in many individuals but mild clinical impact in others. The mechanisms underlying this phenotypic heterogeneity are not well defined. The aim of this study was to use plasma proteomic profiling to help illuminate biomarkers that reflect or inform the heterogeneity observed in HCM.

Treatment Outcomes after Postoperative Radiotherapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Multi-Institutional Retrospective Study (KROG 17-05).

Background: We designed a multi-institutional retrospective study to investigate the previously unreported failure pattern, survivals, and prognostic factors after postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients in South Korea.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 699 patients with TNBC who underwent PORT at six institutions between 2008 and 2010. The median follow-up period was 94 months (range: 7-192 months).

In-Materia Annealing and Combinatorial Optimization Based on Vertical Memristive Array.

Due to its area and energy efficiency, a memristive crossbar array (CBA) has been extensively studied for various combinatorial optimization applications, from network problems to circuit design. However, conventional approaches include heavily burdening software fine-tuning for the annealing process. Instead, this study introduces the "in-materia annealing" method, where the inter-layer interference of vertically stacked memristive CBA is utilized as an annealing method.

Integrating Deep Learning-Based Dose Distribution Prediction with Bayesian Networks for Decision Support in Radiotherapy for Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer.

Purpose: Selecting the better techniques to harbor optimal motion management, either a stereotactic linear accelerator delivery using TrueBeam (TBX) or magnetic resonance-guided gated delivery using MRIdian (MRG), is time-consuming and costly. To address this challenge, we aimed to develop a decision-supporting algorithm based on a combination of deep learning-generated dose distributions and clinical data.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 65 patients with liver or pancreatic cancer who underwent both TBX and MRG simulations and planning process.

RECOVER-NEURO: study protocol for a multi-center, multi-arm, phase 2, randomized, active comparator trial evaluating three interventions for cognitive dysfunction in post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

Background: Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) symptoms have broad impact, and may affect individuals regardless of COVID-19 severity, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or age. A prominent PASC symptom is cognitive dysfunction, colloquially referred to as "brain fog" and characterized by declines in short-term memory, attention, and concentration. Cognitive dysfunction can severely impair quality of life by impairing daily functional skills and preventing timely return to work.

Impact of baseline kidney dysfunction on oral diuretic efficacy following hospitalization for heart failure - insights from TRANSFORM-HF.

Aim: Among patients discharged after hospitalization for heart failure (HF), a strategy of torsemide versus furosemide showed no difference in all-cause mortality or hospitalization. Clinicians have traditionally favoured torsemide in the setting of kidney dysfunction due to better oral bioavailability and longer half-life, but direct supportive evidence is lacking.

Methods And Results: The TRANSFORM-HF trial randomized patients hospitalized for HF to a long-term strategy of torsemide versus furosemide, and enrolled patients across the spectrum of renal function (without dialysis).

Anti-Microbial Activities of Mussel-Derived Recombinant Proteins against Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Many anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) and pro-apoptotic peptides are considered as novel anti-microbial agents, distinguished by their different characteristics. Nevertheless, AMPs exhibit certain limitations, including poor stability and potential toxicity, which hinder their suitability for applications in pharmaceutics and medical devices. In this study, we used recombinant mussel adhesive protein (MAP) as a robust scaffold to overcome these limitations associated with AMPs.