Artificial Intelligence-Enabled ECG Screening for LVSD in LBBB: Evaluating Model Development and Transfer Learning Approaches.

Background: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a common electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormality associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Although artificial intelligence (AI)-driven ECG analysis shows promise for LVSD screening, it remains unclear if a general AI-ECG model or one tailored for LBBB patients yields better performance.

Objectives: This study evaluates 4 AI-ECG models for detecting LVSD in LBBB patients and examines the impact of training cohort definitions.

Estrogen-related receptor alpha mitigates radiation-induced bowel injury through gut enrichment of .

Radiation-induced gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity can be a major cause of morbidity in patients undergoing abdominal radiotherapy. There is an unmet need for treatments to ameliorate GI toxicity. Estrogen-related receptor alpha (ESRRA), a protein involved in the regulation of inflammation and autophagy, is widely expressed across human tissues.

Transparent and Robust Artificial Intelligence-Driven Electrocardiogram Model for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction.

Heart failure (HF) is a growing global health burden, yet early detection remains challenging due to the limitations of traditional diagnostic tools such as electrocardiograms (ECGs). Recent advances in deep learning offer new opportunities to identify left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD), a key indicator of HF, from ECG data. This study validates AiTiALVSD, our previously developed artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled ECG Software as a Medical Device, for its accuracy, transparency, and robustness in detecting LVSD.

Proposing an Optimal Occlusal Angle for Minimizing Masticatory and Cervical Muscle Activity in the Supine Position: A Resting EMG and Mixed-Effects Modeling Study.

The occlusal angle (OA), influenced by pillow height, may affect muscle tension in the head and neck. However, its optimal range for minimizing muscle activation has not been clearly defined. This study aimed to investigate the effects of OA on the resting muscle activity of masticatory and cervical muscles and to identify an optimal OA range using cluster analysis and linear mixed-effects modeling.

The 7 Muses of Neuro-Creative Cycle: How some patients with Parkinson's disease can unleash latent creativity.

Although dopamine therapy is known to enhance creativity in some artists with Parkinson's disease (PD), similar creative changes have been observed in individuals with other neurological conditions, even without such treatment. This suggests that broader neurological and psychological factors beyond dopamine alone may influence creativity in PD. In this paper, I examined these influences through the lens of the : independence, curiosity, playfulness, confidence, openness, interdependence, and passion.

Comparative and pharmacological investigation of bEVs from eight Lactobacillales strains.

Bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs) have therapeutic potential by mimicking the effects of the microbiome. Here, we characterized bEVs from eight gram-positive Lactobacillales strains, evaluating their therapeutic potential. In primary characterization, Lactobacillus paracasei produced the largest bEVs (82.

Outbreak of Severe Obesity and Metabolic Complications in Children and Adolescents Using the Korea National School Health Examination (KNSHE) From 2017 to 2021.

Background: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of obesity in school children by severity and to assess the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's impact on changes in the prevalence of obesity. In addition, the prevalence of obesity-related metabolic complications was calculated.

Methods: We used data from 390,580 school-aged children in the 2017-2021 Korea National School Health Examination to estimate the prevalence of obesity and assess secular trends in prevalence.

Association Between Vasoactive Inotropic Score and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Fulminant Myocarditis.

Background And Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) in patients with fulminant myocarditis according to the application of venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 417 patients with biopsy-proven or clinically suspected fulminant myocarditis from 7 hospitals in Korea. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death, heart transplantation, or the use of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) at 1 year.

Cancer Incidence and Prevalence in Relation to Proximity to a Nuclear Power Plant in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.

Background: Previous studies on cancer risk near nuclear power plants (NPP) have reported inconsistent results. This study aimed to estimate the standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and standardized prevalence ratios (SPR) of cancer near a NPP in Korea.

Methods: Claims data from the National Health Insurance Service (2006-2020) were used to calculate the SIRs and SPRs for all cancers and 17 radiation-related cancer types.

Loss of in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Reversed the Tumor-Promoting Effects of a High-Fat Diet.

Although it is known that High-fat diet (HFD) promotes the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), no direct link between HFD and cancer has been identified. Previously, we showed that ATP production by cancer cells depends on fatty acid oxidation (FAO); therefore, we hypothesized that blocking FAO may prevent HFD-induced promotion of PDAC growth. To determine whether FAO is increased in PDAC patients, we analyzed a tissue microarray by immunohistochemical staining to detect carnitine palmitoyl transferase I.

Significant underascertainment in Huntington's disease.

While Huntington's disease (HD), a Mendelian disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat in , is considered rare, the true prevalence could be significantly higher due to substantial underascertainment. Given inherent biases in empirically assessing disease prevalence, we performed mathematical modelling and validation analyses to estimate the frequency of expanded CAG repeats in the general population to better understand the disease prevalence. We developed an exponential decay model after confirming that the logarithmic decrease in frequency of CAG repeats extends into the pathogenic range (CAG > 35).

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Ramalin Derivatives as Multi-Target Agents for Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation, and tau protein hyperphosphorylation. In this study, we synthesized novel Ramalin derivatives and evaluated their therapeutic potential against AD, focusing on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activities. RA-2OMe, RA-4OMe, RA-2CF3, and RA-4OCF3 showed strong antioxidant effects, while RA-2OMe exhibited potent NO and NLRP3 inhibition (~20%).

Spatial transcriptional landscape of human heart failure.

Background And Aims: Heart failure (HF) remains a significant clinical challenge due to its diverse aetiologies and complex pathophysiology. The molecular alterations specific to distinct cell types and histological patterns during HF progression are still poorly characterized. This study aimed to explore cell-type- and histology-specific gene expression profiles in cardiomyopathies.

Arctic lichen Cladonia borealis-induced cell death is mediated by p53-independent activation of Caspase-9 and PARP-1 signaling in human colorectal cancer cell lines.

The anti-cancer effects of Cladonia borealis (an Arctic lichen) methanol extract (CBME) on human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells were investigated for the first time. The proliferation of the HCT116 cells treated with CBME significantly decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry results indicated that treatment with CBME resulted in significant apoptosis in the HCT116 cells.

Genetic Diversity and Structure of Korean Pacific Oyster () for Determining Selective Breeding Groups.

This study investigated the genetic diversity and structure of thirteen wild populations of in Korea. The purpose of this investigation was to provide foundational data for selecting reference populations to enhance genetic diversity. Overall, the genetic diversity of Korean was relatively low.

Dual Role of HNF4α in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma During Carcinogenesis and Metastasis.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α), a highly conserved member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors, has been identified as a promising therapeutic candidate for colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRAC). This study was to investigate the significance of HNF4α in CRAC and mechanisms governing its function. The expression patterns and clinical relevance of HNF4α were evaluated in relation to nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κb), Yes-associated protein (YAP), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers.

Disparities in Heart Transplantation Allocation and Outcomes by Blood Type in Korea (2010-2022).

Background And Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the influence of recipient blood type on heart transplant allocation dynamics in Korea, focusing on donor matching, wait times, and post-transplant survival from 2010 to 2022.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we examined 1,745 heart transplant recipients classified by blood types: A (n=631), B (n=488), AB (n=256), and O (n=370). Parameters studied encompassed donor and recipient ages, donor blood type compatibility, organ type, emergency status, waiting periods, and survival rates up to one year post-transplant.

Electrocardiographic-Driven artificial intelligence Model: A new approach to predicting One-Year mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction patients.

Background: Despite the proliferation of heart failure (HF) mortality prediction models, their practical utility is limited. Addressing this, we utilized a significant dataset to develop and validate a deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) model for predicting one-year mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. The study's focus was to assess the effectiveness of an AI algorithm, trained on an extensive collection of ECG data, in predicting one-year mortality in HFrEF patients.

Expression of antioxidant and stress-related genes in olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus exposed to high temperatures after pre-heating.

The rising sea surface temperatures driven by climate change cause thermal stress, leading to oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, and increased disease susceptibility, thereby impairing the physiological functions of fish. Therefore, understanding the adaptation mechanisms of fish to high temperatures is essential for mitigating the negative impacts of thermal stress on aquaculture productivity and fish health. In this study, Paralichthys olivaceus were subjected to high temperatures following pre-heating to evaluate the advantages of pre-stimulation prior to exposure to the critical temperature.

Novel Directly Reprogrammed Smooth Muscle Cells Promote Vascular Regeneration as Microvascular Mural Cells.

Background: Although cell therapy has emerged as a promising approach to promote neovascularization, its effects are mostly limited to capillaries. To generate larger or more stable vessels, layering of mural cells such as smooth muscle cells (SMCs) or pericytes is required. Recently, direct reprogramming approaches have been developed for generating SMCs.

Exploratory profiling of metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid using a commercially available targeted LC-MS based metabolomics kit to discriminate leptomeningeal metastasis.

Background: Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a devastating complication of cancer that is difficult to treat. Thus, early diagnosis is essential for LM patients. However, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology has low sensitivity, and imaging approaches are ineffective.

Predictive impact of clinical factors on chemosensitivity in advanced high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma according to chemotherapy response score.

The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) as a first-line therapy for advanced high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) has increased. However, several studies have reported NAC-induced platinum resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive impact of clinical factors on chemotherapy response score (CRS) and to select patients who would respond well to NAC.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute Myocarditis: An Analysis of Korean Multicenter Registry.

Background And Objectives: Data are limited on the clinical manifestations and outcomes of acute myocarditis from a large-scale registry. We investigated acute myocarditis's clinical characteristics and prognosis from a large-scale, multi-center registry in the Republic of Korea.

Methods: We collected data from seven hospitals between 2001 and 2021.

Novel Risk Scoring Model to Predict the Implementation of Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients With Acute Myocarditis.

Background: This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with the implementation of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in patients with acute myocarditis and to develop a predictive model.

Methods And Results: This retrospective study included 841 patients from 7 hospitals in Korea with biopsy-proven or clinically suspected acute myocarditis. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the clinical characteristics of patients who required VA-ECMO and to construct a scoring system to predict the implementation of VA-ECMO.