Resveratrol derivative SH-707 inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation via a sirtuin 1-dependent pathway.

The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a protein complex that plays a crucial role in initiating immune responses to harmful stimuli. However, excessive activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome can cause acute and chronic inflammation, leading to the progression of various inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and sepsis. Resveratrol (RSV) is a polyphenolic compound found in plants with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Outer nuclear layer thickness as a biomarker for photoreceptor function in pachychoroid spectrum disorders.

Objective: To determine whether the outer nuclear layer (ONL) could serve as a quantitative biomarker for photoreceptor function in pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE) and pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV). Additionally, to assess the impact of pachychoroid features, the presence of neovascularization, and a history of exudation on photoreceptor function.

Methods: One hundred and one eyes with pachychoroid features and thirty-four normal control eyes were retrospectively analyzed.

Early optical coherence tomography biomarkers for tailored frequency of intravitreal aflibercept in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections are essential for treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), but patient responses vary significantly, complicating standardized regimens. This study identifies early optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) as predictors of injection frequency in a one-year treat-and-extend (T&E) regimen to optimize individualized treatment. A retrospective analysis of treatment-naïve nAMD patients receiving intravitreal aflibercept was conducted.

Simultaneous determination of 12 novel brominated flame retardants and their potential exposure via the dietary intake of processed foods in Korea.

This study has developed an analytical method employing gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) to quantify 12 novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in processed food, aiming to evaluate the potential exposure via human dietary consumption. The proposed approach incorporates a multilayer silica gel column with additional liquid-liquid or solid-phase extraction steps for low- and high-fat food matrices respectively. This method is rigorously validated and applied to 273 samples across 39 food types.

Pharmacokinetic comparison of a fixed-dose combination of telmisartan/rosuvastatin/ezetimibe/amlodipine 80/20/10/5 mg and a loose-dose combination of ezetimibe/rosuvastatin 10/20 mg and telmisartan/amlodipine 80/5 mg in healthy male subjects.

This study aimed to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablet of telmisartan/rosuvastatin/ezetimibe/amlodipine 80/20/10/5 mg and a loose-dose combination (LDC) of two FDC tablets, ezetimibe/rosuvastatin 10/20 mg and telmisartan/amlodipine 80/5 mg, in healthy Korean male subjects. This study was conducted as a randomized, open-label, two-sequence, four-period crossover study. The subjects received the FDC or the LDC of telmisartan, rosuvastatin, ezetimibe, and amlodipine twice, with a 21-day washout in each period.

Fundus Photography-Based Distribution of Retinal Hemorrhages in Newborns: Implications for Underlying Mechanisms.

The aim of this study was to investigate the locational distribution and potential mechanisms of retinal hemorrhages in newborns using fundus photography. A retrospective analysis of 98 consecutive newborns with retinal hemorrhages in at least one eye and 30 control newborns without retinal hemorrhages after uneventful delivery was conducted. Retinal hemorrhages were diagnosed and characterized using fundus photography and indirect ophthalmoscopy.

Characteristics and sources of potentially toxic elements in road-deposited sediments at the Port of Busan, South Korea: A key contributor to port sediments pollution.

This study investigated the spatial distribution and chemical characteristics of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in road-deposited sediments (RDS) at the Port of Busan by size fraction. Enrichment factor (EF) values for Zn, Cd, and Sb in fine RDS <250 μm were 52-69, 49-78, and 46-44, respectively, indicating 'extremely high enrichment'. Various statistical analyses, including PCA and PMF models, revealed a strong correlation between pollution levels in RDS <250 μm and vehicle type, identifying non-exhaust emissions (NEE) of vehicles as a primary source of PTEs in RDS from the port.

Association Between Fatty Liver Index and Incidence of Cataract Surgery in Individuals Aged 50 Years and Older Based on the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort (NHIS-HEALS) Data: Longitudinal Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Cataract is a leading cause of vision impairment. Obesity-related risk factors, including insulin resistance, increase the risk of cataract. The fatty liver index (FLI) is a biomarker for noninvasive fat layer prediction of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

From the Beginning of the Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group to the Present and Next Steps.

The Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group (KGOG) was established in 2002 and is the only organization in Korea conducting multi-center clinical trials for gynecologic cancers. Since its re-establishment as a non-profit organization in 2021, KGOG has grown significantly, now including 207 gynecologic oncology specialists from 76 hospitals. This growth is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all those involved in the organization.

Tailoring the Thermoelectric Properties of 3D-Printed n-Type BiSbTe with Incorporated Edge-Oxidized Graphene.

Using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to fabricate BiTe-based thermoelectric (TE) generators opens a potential way to create shape-conformable devices capable of recovering waste heat from thermal energy sources with diverse surface morphologies. However, pores formed in 3D-printed BiTe-based materials by the removal of the organic ink binder result in unsatisfactory performance compared to the bulk materials, which has limited the widespread application of the ink-based 3D printing process. Furthermore, managing the volatile Se element in the n-type materials poses significant technological challenges compared to the p-type counterparts, resulting in a scarcity of research on 3D printing of n-type BiTe.

Changes in the outer nuclear layer and choroidal vascularity during the manifest and quiescent phases of acute central serous chorioretinopathy.

To investigate alteration of outer nuclear layer (ONL) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in different status of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). A retrospective review of 65 CSC eyes with subretinal fluid (manifest CSC) and 40 control eyes was conducted in a single tertiary university hospital. Differences in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ONL, and CVI were compared.

Pharmacokinetic Interactions Between the Fixed-Dose Combination of Ezetimibe/Rosuvastatin 10/20 Mg and the Fixed-Dose Combination of Telmisartan/Amlodipine 80/5 Mg in Healthy Subjects.

Background: Management of hypertension and hyperlipidemia, which are common comorbid risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, require multiple medications. The development of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) containing ezetimibe, rosuvastatin, telmisartan, and amlodipine aims to enhance patient adherence and persistence, but the potential interactions among the four medications have not been studied. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) interactions between the FDC of ezetimibe/rosuvastatin 10/20 mg (ER) and the FDC of telmisartan/amlodipine 80/5 mg (TA).

Synergistic Tailoring of Electronic and Thermal Transports in Thermoelectric Se-Free n-Type (Bi,Sb)Te.

Se-free n-type (Bi,Sb)Te thermoelectric materials, outperforming traditional n-type Bi(Te,Se), emerge as a compelling candidate for practical applications of recovering low-grade waste heat. A 100% improvement in the maximum of n-type BiSbTe is demonstrated by using melt-spinning and excess Te-assisted transient liquid phase sintering (LPS). Te-rich sintering promotes the formation of intrinsic defects (Te), elevating the carrier concentration and enhancing the electrical conductivity.

New Insights into Calcite Dissolution Mechanisms under Water, Proton, or Carbonic Acid-Dominated Conditions.

Carbonate minerals are ubiquitous in nature, and their dissolution impacts many environmentally relevant processes including preferential flow during geological carbon sequestration, pH buffering with climate-change induced ocean acidification, and organic carbon bioavailability in melting permafrost. In this study, we advance the atomic level understanding of calcite dissolution mechanisms to improve our ability to predict this complex process. We performed high pressure and temperature (1300 psi and 50 °C) batch experiments to measure transient dissolution of freshly cleaved calcite under HO, H, and HCO-dominated conditions, without and with an inhibitory anionic surfactant present.

Heat-Dissipation Design and 3D Printing of Ternary Silver Chalcogenide-Based Thermoelectric Legs for Enhancing Power Generation Performance.

Thermoelectric devices have received significant attention because of their potential for sustainable energy recovery. In these devices, a thermal design that optimizes heat transfer and dissipation is crucial for maximizing the power output. Heat dissipation generally requires external active or passive cooling devices, which often suffer from inevitable heat loss and heavy systems.

Ischemic and Inflammatory Ocular Adverse Events Following Different Types of Vaccination for COVID-19 and Their Incidence Analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the ocular adverse event (OAE) and the incidence rate that can occur after the COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods: Patients who visited with an ophthalmologic diagnosis within a month of COVID-19 vaccination were retrospectively analyzed. OAEs were categorized as ischemia and inflammation by their presumed pathogenesis and were compared by types of vaccine: messenger RNA (mRNA) and viral vector vaccine.

Severe pulmonary edema occurred during endobronchial ultrasound under monitored anesthesia care - A case report.

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is widely used to diagnose lung cancer. Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) can enhance patient comfort and procedural conditions during EBUS. EBUS under MAC is usually safe but can lead to various complications.

CHOROIDAL VASCULARITY AND VISUAL OUTCOMES IN MACULA-OFF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT.

Purpose: To investigate the association between visual outcomes and choroidal changes in patients with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed 63 eyes of patients with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who underwent vitrectomy. Their fellow eyes were analyzed as a control group.

Evaluation of vertical distribution characteristics of microplastics under 20 μm in lake and river waters in South Korea.

Following the alarming reports of microplastic pollution in the marine environment, increased attention has been given to microplastics in other environmental media. Despite the attention, there is limited research available on the depth-distribution of microplastics in freshwater. Specifically, in the case of water sources used for drinking or tap, the height of intake facilities varies, and it is highly likely that there is a correlation between the vertical distribution of microplastics and these water intake structures.

Unveiling the Role of Precursors in the Byproduct Formation of AgCl-Replicated Bimetallic Nanostructures and Their Stability-Dependent Photothermal Properties.

AgCl nanomaterials recently attracted scientific interest as useful structural building blocks for producing metallic nanomaterials owing to their facile synthesis, controllable morphology, and ease of removal under ambient conditions. However, their complex chemical reactivity has primarily been studied in association with water solubility or reducibility. This study investigates the pivotal role of precursor ligands in the photochemical synthesis of metallic cubic mesh nanostructures on the AgCl templates.

Anesthetic management of an elderly COVID-19 patient with pulmonary thromboembolism for hip surgery - A case report.

Background: COVID-19 and delayed hip surgery are well-known risk factors for thromboembolism in elderly patients.

Case: We report the case of an 88-year-old female patient with COVID-19 and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) who underwent delayed hip surgery 21 days after the injury. Heparinization and inferior vena cava filters were used to treat and prevent PTE.