Antiviral Therapy Reduces Dyslipidemia and Cardiovascular Risk in Chronic Hepatitis B: TDF as the Most Effective Agent.

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) requires long-term antiviral therapy, but its broader effects on metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes remain underexplored. This nationwide retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of antiviral therapy on dyslipidemia and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in CHB patients. Using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment database, we identified 441 191 patients, of whom 48 606 received antiviral treatment and were matched 1:1 with untreated controls by propensity score.

Coffee and the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Mendelian Randomization Studies.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the potential causal link between coffee consumption and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk via Mendelian randomization (MR) studies. Five eligible MR studies that involved the use of analytical approaches such as inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median methods were included. While previous observational studies suggested a protective role of coffee, the MR-based analyses in this study did not demonstrate a statistically significant association across all methods.

Neutralizing activity against Omicron subvariants BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5 following the third SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Objectives: Despite the availability of bivalent vaccines targeting both the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain and Omicron subvariants, vaccination rates remain low in South Korea. This study aims to evaluate the neutralizing activity against Omicron subvariants following the third SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients undergoing chemotherapy, as well as to assess the need for additional vaccinations.

Methods: Between April and November 2022, the authors assessed the neutralizing activity of the third SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dose in 63 patients undergoing chemotherapy using an ELISA-based surrogate Virus Neutralization Test (sVNT).

Comparative risk of osteoporosis and fractures in chronic hepatitis B patients: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate vs. entecavir in a Korean nationwide cohort.

Background & Aims: The optimal antiviral agent for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) at risk for osteoporosis remains debated. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures between patients treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and entecavir (ETV) using a nationwide cohort in South Korea.

Method: We analyzed 40,404 patients with CHB treated with either TDF (n = 23,779) or ETV (n = 16,625).

Green Light-Driven Ultraselective Trimethylamine Detection Using InS Nanoflakes at Room Temperature for Fish Quality Monitoring.

Visible light-activated chemoresistive gas sensors offer low power consumption, room-temperature operation, minimal material degradation, and human safety. While extensive research has focused on NO detection due to its high electron affinity, detecting volatile organic compounds or amine gases by light activation remains challenging because of the high activation energy required for interactions with sensing materials. Here, we report the first demonstration of green-light-activated trimethylamine (TMA) detection using β-InS nanoflakes (NFs) corresponding to the bandgap energy of green wavelength.

Self-Powered Ultraviolet-C Imaging Using Epitaxial Gallium Oxide Membranes with Anisotropic Domain Conduction.

High efficiency of charge carrier conduction is crucial for photoelectrical performance in ultraviolet C (UVC) photodetectors (PDs) based on heteroepitaxial beta-gallium oxide (β-GaO) thin films. However, the presence of in-plane rotational domains due to anisotropic symmetry severely degraded the efficiency of charge carrier conduction by trapping and recombination of carriers in conventional lateral PD (LPD). Here, we demonstrate an approach that enables vertical conduction configuration while preserving the high crystallinity of epitaxial Si-doped β-GaO (Si:GaO) through the epilayer transfer using a hole pattern sapphire nanomembrane (HPSN) growth template.

Exploring Determinants of Foot Self-Care Behaviors Across Adherence Levels in Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcer History: A Quantile Regression Approach.

This study explored factors influencing foot self-care behaviors across adherence in patients with a diabetic foot ulcers history using quantile regression analysis. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, and 130 patients receiving outpatient treatment at a tertiary hospital in South Korea were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected between August 18, 2022, and November 4, 2022, using a structured questionnaire.

Safety of tenofovir alafenamide in the context of hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases: a nationwide analysis.

Background: Despite numerous small-scale studies, the correlation between tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) and hyperlipidemia remains still limited. This study aims to evaluate the safety of TAF regarding hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases using a nationwide cohort.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, comparing incidence rates of hyperlipidemia and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) using 1:1 propensity score matching between TAF and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) users.

Nomogram for predicting changes in cognitive function in community dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment based on Korea Longitudinal Study of Ageing Panel Data: a retrospective study.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors associated with normal cognitive reversion and progression to dementia in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) residing in the community and to develop a nomogram.

Methods: This longitudinal study used secondary data from the Korea Longitudinal Study of Ageing Panel Data (2006-2018). The study included 1,262 participants aged 60 or older, with initial Mini-Mental State Examination scores ranging from 18 to 23.

Effects of Chlorella protothecoides-derived polydeoxyribonucleotides on skin regeneration and wound healing.

The skin acts as a crucial barrier and, upon injury, initiates complex wound-healing processes involving various cell types. Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) are well-known for their efficacy in enhancing skin regeneration and wound healing. This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of PDRNs derived from Chlorella protothecoides, a sustainable and scalable microalgal source, in promoting skin regeneration and wound healing.

Comparison of hepatocellular carcinoma incidence after long-term treatment with besifovir vs. tenofovir AF.

Besifovir dipivoxil maleate (BSV) is a novel antiviral agent widely used in South Korea for treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to compare the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following long-term use of BSV versus tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF), utilizing large-scale national data. A total of 41,949 patients were analyzed, with propensity score matching (PSM) yielding 2,239 BSV and 6,717 TAF patients.

Ambient Stable CsCuI Flexible Gas Sensors for Reliable NO Detection at Room Temperature.

The advancement of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence has increased the demand for air quality monitoring to protect human health. Nitrogen dioxide (NO), a hazardous pollutant, causes inflammatory responses, even at low concentrations, necessitating sensitive gas sensors. Although metal oxide semiconductor sensors are commonly used, their high-operating temperature and reliance on additional heaters limit miniaturization and increase power consumption.

Ultrasonographic predictors of acute gangrenous cholecystitis in patients treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a single center retrospective study.

Background: Acute gangrenous cholecystitis, a severe complication of cholecystitis, carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Despite its severity, preoperative diagnosis is challenging, often only confirmed during surgery. Therefore, we analyzed various factors that could predict acute gangrenous cholecystitis in patients undergoing cholecystectomy.

The impact of atmospheric ultrafine particulate matter on IgE-mediated type 1 hypersensitivity reaction.

The effect of atmospheric ultrafine particulate matter (UPM) on respiratory allergic diseases has been investigated for decades; however, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. In this study, we used a simulated UPM (sUPM) generated via the spark discharge method to refine black carbon, a core particle that closely mimics real-world UPM, including the size (i.e.

A Potential Pneumothorax Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which target immune checkpoints in cancer cells, are increasingly used as a mainstay in anticancer treatment. The combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab is also a first-line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, ICIs can cause immune-related adverse events (IrAEs) which range from mild to severe, potentially leading to the need for discontinuing immunotherapy.

Atezolizumab-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Patient with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review.

Immune check inhibitor (ICI) colitis is one of most common and adverse side effects of ICI. However, there was no case report of ulcerative colitis (UC)-mimicking colitis after atezolizumab use in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to our knowledge. We would like to introduce the case of a patient with Stage IV HCC who complained of abdominal pain, diarrhea and rectal bleeding after two cycles of atezolizumab/bevacizumab chemotherapy and was then diagnosed with UC-mimicking colitis.

Excipient-free nanotransformation of hydrophilic macromolecules using aqueous counter collision for enhanced bioavailability.

The demand for sustainable, eco-friendly biopolymer transdermal delivery systems has increased owing to growing environmental awareness. In this study, we used aqueous counter collision (ACC), a nontoxic nanotransformation method, to convert high- and ultrahigh-molecular-weight hydrophilic macromolecules into their corresponding nanoparticles (NPs). Hyaluronic acid (HA) and crosslinked HA (CLHA) were chosen as the model compounds.

Primary Rectal Syphilis Mimicking Lymphoma: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Primary rectal syphilis is a rare disease that can be misdiagnosed as lymphoma or other rectal cancers on sigmoidoscopy or CT. Here, we report a case of primary rectal syphilis mimicking rectal malignancy in a 23-year-old male who presented with a rectal mass and multiple lymphadenopathies. In this case report and literature review, we focused on the CT findings and endoscopic observations of primary rectal syphilis.

Real-Time Tunable Gas Sensing Platform Based on SnO Nanoparticles Activated by Blue Micro-Light-Emitting Diodes.

Micro-light-emitting diodes (μLEDs) have gained significant interest as an activation source for gas sensors owing to their advantages, including room temperature operation and low power consumption. However, despite these benefits, challenges still exist such as a limited range of detectable gases and slow response. In this study, we present a blue μLED-integrated light-activated gas sensor array based on SnO nanoparticles (NPs) that exhibit excellent sensitivity, tunable selectivity, and rapid detection with micro-watt level power consumption.

IL-10 regulatory B cells mitigate atopic dermatitis by suppressing eosinophil activation.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) presents significant therapeutic challenges due to its poorly understood etiology. Eosinophilia, a hallmark of allergic inflammation, is implicated in AD pathogenesis. Interleukin-10 (IL-10)-producing regulatory B (Breg) cells exhibit potent anti-inflammatory effects.

Advanced Mechanical Transfer of Micro-LEDs Enabled by Structurally Modified Wide Sapphire Nanomembranes through Thermal Reflow of Photoresist.

Micro light-emitting diodes (micro-LEDs) are pivotal in next-generation display technologies, driven by the need for high pixel density. This study introduces a novel methodology utilizing wide sapphire nanomembranes (W-SNM) as a dual-purpose template for high-quality epitaxial growth and the mechanical lift-off of individual micro-LEDs. Micro-LEDs grow individually on W-SNM, obviating the chip singulation process.