Acquisition phase-specific contribution of climbing fiber transmission to cerebellum-dependent motor memory in mice.

Climbing fiber (CF) transmission from the inferior olive (IO) triggers complex spikes (Cs) in Purkinje cells (PCs) driven by a burst of calcium spikes. In the context of motor learning, especially the compensatory optic response, CF transmission serves as an instructive signal selectively conveyed to PCs. While the significance of CF input in motor memory formation is widely acknowledged, a comprehensive understanding of its distinct contribution across different temporal windows, spanning from the initial learning phase to the retrieval period, remains incomplete.

Comparison of Direct Anterior Approach and Posterolateral Approach in Total Hip Arthroplasty in Elderly People Aged 75 Years or Older.

Purpose: The study investigated the benefits of the direct anterior approach (DAA) compared to the posterolateral approach (PLA) in patients over 75 years of age.

Materials And Methods: This study included 144 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) from December 2012 to November 2021. Group A had 93 patients with a mean age of 80.

Prediction of graft patency during the year following coronary artery bypass grafting: preoperative computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve versus intraoperative transit-time flow measurement.

Background: Preoperative cardiac computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) and intraoperative transit-time flow measurement (TTFM) values were compared with graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: One hundred and eight patients who underwent isolated CABG using an in-situ internal thoracic artery (ITA) based composite graft and whose CT-FFR values were obtained were included. TTFM values(mean graft flow[MGF; mL/min], pulsatility index[PI], and diastolic filling percentage[DF%]) were obtained for each anastomosis in all study patients.

No-Touch Saphenous Vein Graft for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Compared with the conventionally harvested saphenous vein graft, the no-touch saphenous vein graft, in which manipulation and tension are minimized and intraluminal dilatation is avoided during vein harvest, has shown better-preserved luminal endothelium and improved patency rates after coronary artery bypass grafting. This review article will detail and summarize the relevant literature on the no-touch saphenous vein in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Species-specific toxic responses of marine phytoplankton to metals leached from cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts.

Cobalt-rich ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) crusts are minerals distributed on the slope of a seabed mountain from a depth of 400 to 7000 m. These crusts are considered a next-generation deep-sea mineral resource with abundant industrially useful metals and rare earth elements. However, the ecological impact of deep-sea mining activity on the marine ecosystem has not been fully elucidated.

Treatment Trends of Diabetic Macular Edema in Korea (TRACK) study: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Purpose: To evaluate real-world functional and anatomical outcomes, treatment patterns, and ocular examination trends in diabetic macular edema (DME) in Korea.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted at 17 hospitals (2017-2022) involving adults with DME. Patients were categorized into center-involving (CI DME) and non-center-involving (non-CI DME) groups based on optical coherence tomography findings.

Comparative analysis of bevacizumab and sorafenib on the survival of retinal ganglion cells in the treatment of retinal diseases.

This study investigates the effects of bevacizumab, a common vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor, in treating ocular neovascular disorders, with a focus on its impact on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival. Given that bevacizumab has been associated with adverse effects on RGCs, we aimed to validate these reports, identify an alternative VEGF inhibitor with similar antiangiogenic efficacy but without detrimental effects on RGCs, and explore the underlying mechanisms. Using primary RGCs extracted from neonatal rats and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs), we compared the efficacy of bevacizumab with other VEGF inhibitors and assessed the apoptotic effects and cell survival pathways influenced by these treatments.

TGF-β1 Inhibits Osteogenesis via ZBTB16 Regulation in Periodontal Ligament.

Objective: To elucidate pivotal molecules through which transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) regulates osteogenesis in human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells.

Methods: In vitro, human PDL, pulpal, and gingival cells were obtained from healthy premolars that were extracted for orthodontic treatment. Cells were treated with dexamethasone for differentiation and alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining were used for the mineralization assay.

Withdrawal of Spironolactone for Heart Failure With Improved Ejection Fraction: An Open-Label, Pilot, Randomized Controlled Trial (With-HF Trial).

Background And Objectives: The optimal strategy for the maintenance or discontinuation of evidence-based medication is unclear in heart failure (HF) patients with improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). We tested the feasibility and safety of withdrawing mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) in this population.

Methods: This is an open-label, prospective, randomized controlled pilot trial including HF patients whose LVEF improved from ≤35% to ≥50% after guideline-directed medical therapy.

Improvement of Blood Flow and Epidermal Temperature in Cold Feet Using Far-Infrared Rays Emitted from Loess Balls Manufactured by Low-Temperature Wet Drying Method: A Randomized Trial.

Cold feet syndrome is characterized by hypersensitivity of sympathetic nerves to cold stimuli, resulting in vasoconstriction and reduced peripheral blood flow. This condition causes an intense cold sensation, particularly in the extremities. Although hormonal changes (e.

Effect on Reduction in Inflammatory Fluid and Improvement of Cell Membrane/Skeletal Muscle by Far-Infrared Rays Emitted from Loess Bio-Balls During Sleep.

: Far infrared rays (FIR) can promote microcirculation of blood in capillaries and reduce inflammation and edema by improving lymphatic circulation. Although the short-term therapeutic use of FIR is increasingly common in clinical settings, its effects on inflammatory fluids during sleep are not yet well established. : This was a small-scale exploratory study conducted on patients exhibiting early symptoms of edema or swelling, or participants who reported discomfort possibly due to such symptoms.

Revisiting Ferroelectric-Gated Phototransistors: A Tripartite Synapse-Inspired Approach to In-Sensor Image Processing.

Neuromorphic devices inspired by the tripartite synapse system offer enhanced modulation of synaptic weight via a third terminal. However, using an electrically independent terminal for memorizing and processing optical information remains unexplored. Here, a ferroelectric-gated phototransistor (FGPT) incorporating ferroelectric polymers and organic photoactive channels is revisited for neuromorphic vision systems.

Multiplex Optical Unclonable Functions: Advances and Perspectives in Optics and Photonics for Hardware Security.

With the accelerating expansion of connectivity, the need for advanced cyber-physical security technologies that bridge the digital and physical worlds is becoming more crucial than ever. Physically unclonable functions (PUFs) leveraging nanotechnologies and photonic technologies are emerging as practical and deployable hardware security solutions that go beyond software-based hardware security. Optics- and photonics-based PUFs (often referred to as optical PUFs) offer a range of characteristics beneficial to multiplex strategies that incorporate multilevel and multimodal approaches, based on their fundamental optical and photonic properties.

10-Year Change and Projection in Prevalence and Incidence of Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Korea.

Background: Updating the recent epidemiology of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is crucial for understanding the epidemiological trend of the disease, preparing healthcare strategies, and providing data for global comparisons. This study aimed to estimate the nationwide trend in prevalence and incidence of exudative AMD in Korea.

Methods: In this nationwide population-based study using the National Health Insurance Service data, patients who have registration code for exudative AMD and aged 40 years or older were extracted from 2013 to 2022.

A machine learning-based prediction of diabetic retinopathy using the Korea national health and nutrition examination survey (2008-2012, 2017-2021).

Background: Machine learning technology that uses available clinical data to predict diabetic retinopathy (DR) can be highly valuable in medical settings where fundus cameras are not accessible.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and compare machine learning algorithms for predicting DR without fundus image.

Methods: We used data from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2012 and 2017-2021) and enrolled individuals aged ≥ 20 years with diabetes who received fundus examination.

Comparison of High Versus Low Positive End-Expiratory Pressure in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Acute Heart Failure: Rationale and Design of the HELP-AHF Trial.

Background And Objectives: Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) often necessitates invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) due to respiratory failure. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a critical component in MV management; however, the optimal PEEP level for patients with ADHF remains unclear. The High vErsus Low Positive end-expiratory pressure in mechanically ventilated patients with Acute Heart Failure (HELP-AHF) trial is a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled study designed to compare the efficacy and safety of high versus low PEEP strategies in this population.

Reconfigurable Liquid Crystal-Based Physical Unclonable Function Integrating Optical and Electrical Responses.

Physical unclonable functions (PUFs)-a hardware-based security device using randomness-have evolved from basic integrated circuit designs to advanced systems using diverse materials and mechanisms. However, most PUFs are limited by single-factor challenges and fixed key generation, making them vulnerable to brute-force attacks. A reconfigurable and multidimensional liquid crystal (LC)-based PUF is presented integrated into an organic field-effect transistor (OFET) to address limitations.

The Impact of Comorbid Insomnia and Sleep Apnea (COMISA) on Work Ability: Results From Population-Based Panel Data in Korea.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA) on work ability (WA) in the Korean workforce using data from a nationwide panel study. Data were derived from the Korean Work, Sleep, and Health Study (KWSHS), conducted from 2022 to 2024. Participants included 10,086 workers aged 19-70 years, with repeated measures collected across three survey waves.

Skin-Conformal Ag Flake-Decorated PEDOT:PSS Sensor Arrays for Spatially Resolved Body Temperature Monitoring.

Rapid and spatial temperature measurement on the skin is essential for detecting localized physiological anomalies, such as inflammation or circulatory issues, while providing insights into thermoregulation. Skin-conformal temperature sensors, with ultra-flexible designs, enable precise and comfortable measurements, supporting real-time monitoring, early diagnosis, and effective intervention. However, achieving rapid and spatial skin-conformal temperature sensor arrays that simultaneously maintain high sensitivity under extreme mechanical stresses remains a significant challenge.

Comprehensive Analysis of Storage Stability of Hong-Jam Under Various Conditions: Correlation Between Lipid Oxidation Factors and Alternative Quality Parameters.

Hong-Jam is a functional food product made from freeze-dried silkworms on the seventh to eights day of the fifth Instar stage, which are steamed for 2 h prior to drying. This study evaluated the storage stability of Hong-Jam under varying temperatures, product forms, and packaging conditions. By using the correlation analysis, novel quality indices that may complement or replace traditional lipid-oxidation markers in edible-insect products were identified.

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.

Clinical Outcome of Immunosuppressive Therapy in Autoimmune Retinopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with autoimmune retinopathy (AIR) and assess differences based on anti-retinal antibody (ARA) profiles.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter observational study was conducted on 26 AIR patients who received immunosuppressive therapy for at least six months. Clinical information, ophthalmic examinations, and profiles of detected ARAs were collected between March 2011 and November 2023.

SARS-CoV-2 infection exacerbates fibrosis and develops new-onset asthma in damaged lung by polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate.

Modern society faces a variety of respiratory-related threats from the increased use of chemicals and periodic outbreaks of infectious diseases. This study investigates the connection between chemically-induced lung damage and SARS-CoV-2 infection, addressing a critical research gap. To investigate this connection, we conducted a study using a mouse model to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection symptoms in lungs injured by polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p).

Emerging trans-Eurasian heatwave-drought train in a warming climate.

Since the late 20th century, an emerging atmospheric teleconnection pattern, the trans-Eurasian heatwave-drought train, has intensified remarkably during summer, correlating with a surge in concurrent heatwave-drought events from Eastern Europe to East Asia. Tree-ring proxies, spanning three centuries, reveal that the recent intensity of this pattern is unprecedented in the historical records. In contrast, the circumglobal teleconnection, which historically dominated the continental-scale Eurasian heatwave occurrences, has shown no discernible trend amid global warming.