Intrathecal Antibody Synthesis in Autoimmune Nodopathy.

Background: Autoimmune nodopathy (AN) is caused by autoantibodies targeting the nodes of Ranvier or paranodes. AN frequently affects cranial nerves and spinal nerve roots and may accompany central demyelination, all of which belong to the intrathecal compartment. We aimed to ascertain the frequency of intrathecal antibody synthesis and blood-CSF barrier (BCSFB) dysfunction in AN and their clinical correlates.

Development and Application of a Cell-Based Assay for Detecting Anti-Agrin Antibodies Associated With Myasthenia Gravis.

Background And Purpose: Anti-agrin antibodies (agrin Abs) have recently been identified in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), sometimes in conjunction with antibodies (Abs) to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK), or low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4. This study aimed to develop an in-house cell-based assay (CBA) for detecting agrin Abs, and to test its application to serum samples collected from individuals diagnosed with MG.

Methods: Agrin complementary DNA as cloned into a pCMV6-AC-GFP vector, which was subsequently transfected into human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells.

Temperature-Responsive Hybrid Composite with Zero Temperature Coefficient of Resistance for Wearable Thermotherapy Pads.

Carbon-based polymer composites are widely used in wearable devices due to their exceptional electrical conductivity and flexibility. However, their temperature-dependent resistance variations pose significant challenges to device safety and performance. A negative temperature coefficient (NTC) can lead to overcurrent risks, while a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) compromises accuracy.

Optimizing Stretchability and Electrical Stability in Bilayer-Structured Flexible Liquid Metal Composite Electrodes.

Gallium-based liquid metals remain in a liquid state at room temperature and exhibit excellent electrical and thermal conductivities, low viscosity, and low toxicity, making them ideal for creating highly stretchable and conductive composites suitable for flexible electronic devices. Despite these benefits, conventional single-layer liquid metal composites face challenges, such as liquid metal leakage during deformation (e.g.

Clinical Utility of Bioimpedance Analysis for Upper Limb Lymphedema with Surgical Treatment.

In lymphedema, the accumulation of subcutaneous interstitial fluid is the most characteristic feature. Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is a promising technique to measure the amount of body components using a noninvasive method. In this study, we determined the clinical significance of BIA parameters in upper limb lymphedema with surgical treatment such as lymphovenous anastomosis or vascularized lymph node transfer.

Relationship between organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides and metabolic syndrome in Korean farmers.

Background: The global use of pesticides steadily increased until the early 2010s. Pesticides play a significant role in agriculture in Korea. Metabolic syndrome is more prevalent in rural areas than in urban areas.

Stereotypic T cell receptor clonotypes in the thymus and peripheral blood of Myasthenia gravis patients.

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies frequently show hyperplastic thymi with ectopic germinal centers, where autoreactive B cells proliferate with the aid of T cells. In this study, thymus and peripheral blood (PB) samples were collected from ten AChR antibody-positive MG patients. T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires were analyzed using next-generation sequencing (NGS), and compared with that of an age and sex matched control group generated from a public database.

Reliability and Validity of Emotrics in the Assessment of Facial Palsy.

The globally accepted evaluation method for facial palsy is the House-Brackmann facial grading system; however, it does not reflect minute changes. Several methods have been attempted, but there is no universally accepted evaluation method that is non-time-consuming and quantitative. Recently, Emotrics, a two-dimensional analysis that incorporates machine-learning techniques, has been used in various clinical fields.

Plasma Myokine Profiles in Patients With AChR- and MuSK-Ab-Positive Myasthenia Gravis.

Background And Purpose: Myokines include cytokines secreted by muscle fibers, which are the final targets of myasthenia gravis (MG). This pilot study investigated whether myokine plasma concentrations are altered in patients with MG and assessed the association between the concentration of each myokine and disease severity.

Methods: We compared the plasma concentrations of 15 myokines in 63 patients with acetylcholine receptor antibody (Ab)-positive MG and 14 with muscle-specific tyrosine kinase Ab-positive MG (MuSK MG) with those in 15 healthy controls.

Assessment of Safety, Effects, and Muscle-Specific Accumulation of Dietary Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) in .

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a commonly used antioxidant added to animal/fish feed to limit lipid autoxidation and peroxidation. Although there have been reviews and reports of BHT toxicity in animals, limited information is available with respect to the toxic effects and accumulation of BHT due to oral exposure in aquaculture species. Therefore, 120 days of feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary BHT on the marine fish olive flounder .

The relevant factors of work-related fatigue for occupational vibration-exposed employees.

Background: To date, little is known about the effects of factors linked to work-related fatigue on vibration-exposed workers. Thus, the purpose of this study was (1) to assess the effects of vibration exposure time per week and work-related fatigue on workers and (2) to identify factors associated with work-related fatigue caused by long-term exposure to occupational vibration.

Methods: This study used data collected from the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey.

Rheumatoid Arthritis in Silica-Exposed Workers.

Few studies have examined rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk and severity in Korean workers exposed to silica. We compared the hospitalization risk of RA between silica-exposed workers and the general Korean population. The study cohort consisted of male workers exposed to silica who had undergone at least one silica-associated special medical examination between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2004 ( = 149,948).

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes after Congenital Heart Disease Surgery in Infancy: A 2-Year Serial Follow-Up.

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the neurodevelopmental status of infant patients who underwent cardiac surgery in infancy and to investigate the factors affecting the neurodevelopmental status.

Methods: This retrospective study included 108 patients who underwent cardiac surgery before the age of one. We used the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II to evaluate the neurodevelopmental status.

Does Exposure of Lead and Cadmium Affect the Endometriosis?

This study aimed to investigate the effects of blood lead levels (BLLs) and lead and cadmium exposure on endometriosis (EM). The study cohort consisted of female workers who underwent a lead-associated special medical examination between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2004 ( = 26,542). The standard admission rate (SAR) and admission odds ratio (OR) for EM were calculated using the general population and noise-exposed groups, respectively, for the same period as the reference standards.

Reelin Alleviates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Senescence and Reduces Pathological α-Synuclein Expression in an In Vitro Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. The mechanisms underlying PD remain to be fully elucidated, and research into treatments for this condition is ongoing. Recent advances in genetic research have shed light on the mechanisms underlying PD.

Evaluating an In-House Cell-Based Assay for Detecting Antibodies Against Muscle-Specific Tyrosine Kinase in Myasthenia Gravis.

Background And Purpose: Detecting antibodies against muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK Abs) is essential for diagnosing myasthenia gravis (MG). We applied an in-house cell-based assay (CBA) to detect MuSK Abs.

Methods: A stable cell line was generated using a lentiviral vector, which allowed the expression of MuSK tagged with green fluorescent protein in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells.

Expression of Reprogramming Factor OCT4 Ameliorates Myelination Deficits and Induces Striatal Neuroprotection in Huntington's Disease.

White matter atrophy has been shown to precede the massive loss of striatal GABAergic neurons in Huntington's disease (HD). This study investigated the effects of expression of reprogramming factor octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) on neural stem cell (NSC) niche activation in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and induction of cell fate specific to the microenvironment of HD. R6/2 mice randomly received adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-OCT4, AAV9-Null, or phosphate-buffered saline into both lateral ventricles at 4 weeks of age.

Administration in fed state but not controlled release in the colon increases oral bioavailability of DF030263, a promising drug candidate for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

For treatment of chronic cancers, the oral administration route is preferred as it provides numerous advantages over other delivery routes. However, these benefits of oral chemotherapy can be limited due to unfavorable pharmacokinetics. Accordingly, pharmacokinetic development of chemotherapeutic agents is crucial to the improvement of cancer treatment.

Factors affecting cognition and emotion in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Background: Cognitive and emotional disturbances are common serious issues in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, predictors associated with neuropsychological functions were not consistent.

Objective: To investigate factors affecting cognition and emotion in patients with TBI, we evaluated executive function, memory, and emotion based on injury severity and lesion location.

Pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium outcomes in female firefighters in Korea.

Background: Female firefighters are exposed to hazardous environmental (chemical and physical) and working (shift work, psychological, and ergonomic factors) conditions that have reported or are suspected of adverse effects on reproductive health. However, no previous studies have reported on pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium outcomes (PCPOs) in female firefighters.

Methods: The present study compared hospital admissions for PCPOs, based on 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) codes, among Korean female firefighters with those of the general Korean population.

Inhibition of MAGEA2 regulates pluripotency, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation in mouse embryonic stem cells.

Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) exhibit self-renewal and pluripotency, can differentiate into all three germ layers, and serve as an essential model in stem cell research and for potential clinical application in regenerative medicine. Melanoma-associated antigen A2 (MAGEA2) is not expressed in normal somatic cells but rather in different types of cancer, especially in undifferentiated cells, such as in the testis, differentiating cells, and ESCs. However, the role of MAGEA2 in mESCs remains to be clarified.

Does low lead exposure affect blood pressure and hypertension?

Objectives: Historically, little was known about the effects of low blood lead level (BLL < 10 μg/dL) on hypertension (HTN). The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of low BLL on blood pressure (BP) and HTN in lead-exposed male workers in the Republic of Korea.

Methods: From the year 2000 to 2004, 12,060 male workers underwent an Annual Specialised Medical Check-up for lead; 7,341 subjects had a peak BLL < 10 μg/dL and were selected for the study.

The Risk for Incident Ischemic Heart Disease According to Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in A Korean Population.

Aim: Chronic kidney disease, evaluated by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the association between renal function stratified by the eGFR and the risk of incident ischemic heart disease (IHD) in a community-based Asian population is still inconclusive.

Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal observational study.