MUTE-Seq: An Ultrasensitive Method for Detecting Low-Frequency Mutations in cfDNA With Engineered Advanced-Fidelity FnCas9.

In this study, we present the development of the Mutation tagging by CRISPR-based Ultra-precise Targeted Elimination in Sequencing (MUTE-Seq) method. We engineered a highly precise advanced-fidelity FnCas9 variant, named FnCas9-AF2, to effectively discriminate single-base mismatches at all positions of the single guide RNA (sgRNA) target sequences. FnCas9-AF2 exhibited significantly lower off-target effects compared to existing high-fidelity CRISPR-Cas9 variants.

The efficacy of immediate lymphatic reconstruction in preventing breast cancer-related lymphedema: long-term follow-up study.

Background: Immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) has emerged as an effective intervention to reduce breast cancer-related lymphedema, which affects 2-30% of patients who undergo axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Our previous research validated ILR's effectiveness over 14 months, but the duration was short and warranted further study. This study provides long-term evidence of its benefits in a well-defined patient cohort.

Synergistic Effect of Stromal Vascular Fraction and Lymph Node Transfer in a Rabbit Hindlimb Model.

Background: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) promote lymphangiogenesis, though their integration with vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) is not well-explored. Unlike ADSCs, the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) can be obtained intraoperatively without the need for cell culture, making it ideal for incorporation into VLNT in a single-stage surgical procedure. This study evaluates the impacts of combined VLNT and SVF therapy using a rabbit hindlimb model.

Relationship Between Chronicity and Severity of Tinnitus and Sleep-Related Issues.

Objectives: Growing evidence suggests a potential link between tinnitus and sleep-related disturbances. This study aimed to explore this association in a large-scale population-based data.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

The Association Between Tooth Loss and Hearing Impairment: Partial Compensation with Dental Implants.

Background: Some studies have described a relationship between hearing loss and the number of teeth. However, a connection between treatment for tooth loss and hearing improvement remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the association between hearing loss and the number of natural teeth, as well as the association between hearing improvement and dental implants.

Risk factor analysis and clinical experience of treating red breast syndrome in acellular dermal matrix and implant-based breast reconstruction.

Background: Red breast syndrome (RBS) is represented as idiopathic cutaneous erythema overlying the acellular dermal matrix (ADM) after implant-based breast reconstruction without other signs and symptoms of infection. Although a number of etiologies including lymphatic disruption, delayed hypersensitivity reaction to ADM, and residual DNA within ADM have been suggested for RBS, consensus regarding risk factors and treatment for RBS has been reached yet. Thus, the aim of this study was to find risk factors for RBS and introduce our experience of successful treatment of RBS.

Cochlear Implantation Is Associated With Reduced Incidence of Dementia in Severe Hearing Loss.

Objectives: Hearing loss is recognized as a potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia in midlife. This study aimed to investigate the association between rehabilitation methods and dementia risk in patients with severe to profound hearing loss.

Design: Using the nationwide population data from South Korea, individuals with severe to profound hearing loss were identified.

Clinical outcome of urgent thoracoscopic surgery on complicated parapneumonic infection with short-term preoperative antibiotic usage.

Background: Prompt initiation of antibiotics and drainage of infection source is essential in the management of pleural cavity infection. Although surgical drainage is considered a gold standard of treatment for unresolved parapneumonic infection, optimal timing for surgical intervention is still under debate. Thus, we seek to analyze the clinical outcomes of urgent thoracoscopic surgery for complicated parapneumonic effusion regarding the duration of preoperative antibiotic usage.

Massive Dirac magnons in the three-dimensional honeycomb magnetic oxide [Formula: see text].

Two dimensional honeycomb ferromagnets host massless Dirac magnons which are a bosonic analogue of Dirac fermions in graphene. The Dirac magnons may become massive and topological when the time reversal symmetry breaks and an energy gap opens up at the Dirac point, which was experimentally observed in [Formula: see text]-based van der Waals magnets. Here, we investigate the spin wave excitations in the 3d magnetic oxide [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] electrons ([Formula: see text]).

Revisiting Age-Related Normative Hearing Levels in Korea.

Background: Hearing level reference values based on the results of recent audiometry have not been established for the general population of South Korea. This study aimed to evaluate the mean hearing levels of each age group and to measure the annual progression of hearing loss.

Methods: We used the database of the eighth and ninth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2020 to 2022, and included participants with normal tympanic membranes and without occupational noise exposure.

Effective treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum using Er:YAG laser.

Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP), characterized by soft, yellowish plaque primarily on the eyelids, is often associated with lipid metabolism disorders. XP can cause aesthetic concerns that affect social interactions and requires careful treatment evaluations due to potential complications and associations with systemic conditions. We aimed to assess the efficacy of and recurrence rates with erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser therapy in the treatment of XP.

Association of volatile organic compound exposure and metabolic syndrome.

The cumulative toxicity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) cause many medical diseases. We analyzed the evidence of association between VOCs and risk of metabolic syndrome in the Korean population using 1771 participants from the 2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The creatinine-corrected urinary concentrations of BMA, 2-MHA, PGA, SPMA, 3-HPMA, BPMA and DHBMA were higher in the metabolic syndrome group than in the non-metabolic syndrome group.

Association Between Perceived Noise Pollution and Sleep Quality: Findings from the 2018 Community Health Survey.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between sleep quality and perceived noise.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 185,246 adults (81,854 men and 103,392 women) participating in the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) was conducted. Subjective sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), while perceived noise pollutants were categorized into two groups: perceived noise pollution (n = 43,638) and perceived non-noise pollution (n = 141,608).

Prediction of hearing recovery with deep learning algorithm in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

This study aimed to establish a deep learning-based predictive model for the prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Data from 1108 patients with SSNHL between January 2015 and May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients underwent standardized treatment protocols including high-dose steroid therapy and hearing outcomes were assessed after three months using Siegel's criteria and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) classification.

Subxiphoid Single-Port Robotic Thymectomy Using the Single-Port Robotic System versus VATS: A Multi-Institutional, Retrospective, and Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Subxiphoid thymectomy is a novel alternative to the transthoracic approach and sternotomy, with potential benefits, such as reduced postoperative pain and faster recovery. We previously reported the initial experience with subxiphoid single-port robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (SRATS) thymectomy using the single-port robotic system (SPS). However, the efficacy of this technique remains unknown.

Association between frailty and cognitive status among ambulating Korean elderly: An observational study.

We aimed to determine the association between frailty and cognitive status of the elderly population in Korea. We examined data from 9920 elders who participated in the 2020 Survey of Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of Korean Older Persons. Frailty was assessed using the Korean version of the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, and Weight Loss scale.

Physical Inactivity and Sedentariness in Older Hearing Loss patients: Restoration With Hearing Aids.

Objectives: Hearing loss causes numerous functional deficits. However, few studies have been conducted to assess the association between hearing loss and physical inactivity. This study aimed to evaluate the physical activity and sedentary behavior of hearing loss patients and their relation with the use of hearing aids.

Risk factor analysis and clinical experience of treating capsular contracture after prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction.

Background: Capsular contracture is one of the most common and severe complications after implant-based breast reconstruction. Recently, prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction using acellular dermal matrix (ADM) has become an alternative to subpectoral implant-based reconstruction. However, risk factors for capsular contracture associated with recent prepectoral reconstruction trends are not well refined yet.

Cross-sectional analysis for lymphedema epidemiology in South Korea by HIRA data: An observational study.

Lymphedema is known to affect as many as 140 to 250 million people worldwide. Approximately 99% of lymphedemas are secondary cases after lymphadenectomy, radiation, or parasite infection. There has been no accurate estimate of the lymphedema population size in South Korea.

Clinical Importance of Grading Tumor Spread through Air Spaces in Early-Stage Small-Lung Adenocarcinoma.

This study aimed to identify the clinical manifestation and implications according to the grading of tumor spread through air spaces in early-stage small (≤2 cm) pathological stage I non-mucinous lung adenocarcinomas. Medical records of patients with pathological stage I tumors sized ≤2 cm were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. The furthest distance of the spread through air spaces from the tumor margin was measured on a standard-length scale (mm).

The relationship between dementia caregivers and quality of life in South Korean populations.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between quality of life and dementia caregivers. The 2019 Korean Community Health Survey participants were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and SCD-related functional limitation, and EuroQol 5-dimension (EQ-5D). Sociodemographic and psychosocial variables were evaluated and compared between participants with dementia caregivers (n = 37,614) and non-dementia caregivers (n = 140,518).

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Bell's Palsy and Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background: This article presents a comprehensive review of data on the impact of facial palsy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The possible causes and pathophysiological mechanisms of changes in the epidemiology of facial palsy during the COVID-19 pandemic are also discussed.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 943 patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy or Ramsay Hunt syndrome.