Chip-Scale Graphene/IGZO Cold Source FET Array Enabling Sub-60 mV dec Super-Steep Subthreshold Swing.

In this study, the first sub-60 mV dec super-steep subthreshold swing (SS) of graphene/InGaZnO (IGZO) cold-source field-effect transistor (CSFET) arrays is demonstrated. The linear density of states of the Dirac-cone-type graphene suppresses the Boltzmann thermal tail near the graphene/IGZO interface which in turn causes super-exponentially decaying electron density with increasing energy, leading to an extremely low off current and SS value. In particular, by introducing an HfO high-k dielectric with a low body factor, the surface potential is effectively modulated, further reducing SS by ≈46.

Association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and the risk of thyroid cancer: a nationwide cohort study.

Background/aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is associated with various metabolic disorders; however, its relationship with thyroid cancer remains unclear. This study investigated the association between MASLD and the risk of thyroid cancer.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database on individuals who underwent three or more health examinations between January 2002 and December 2015.

Digestive ripening and fragmentation of goethite nanorods into nanospheres under natural wet-dry cycles: Unveiling hidden nanocolloid mobilization to water system.

Anisotropic goethite nanoparticles play a critical role in the environmental behavior of nutrient and contaminant due to their abundance, high surface area, and strong binding affinity; however, their transformation into smaller, more mobile nanocolloids under natural setting remains underexplored. Here, we show that natural wet-dry cycles at alkaline pH in the presence of As(V) or P(V) induce extensive goethite nanorod (GtNR) fragmentation into nanospheres (GtNS) and the formation of ferrihydrite single-digit nanospheres (FhSDNS), driven by drying-induced surface reactions, oxyanion-mediated dissolution, reprecipitation, passivation, capillary stress, and defect sites. Under identical conditions, nanospheres of hematite, maghemite, and magnetite exhibit minimal transformation, underscoring the unique susceptibility of GtNR.

Transfer learning prediction of type 2 diabetes with unpaired clinical and genetic data.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Korea has risen in recent years, yet many cases remain undiagnosed. Advanced artificial intelligence models using multi-modal data have shown promise in disease prediction, but two major challenges persist: the scarcity of samples containing all desired data modalities and class imbalance in T2DM datasets. We propose a novel transfer learning framework to predict T2DM onset within five years, using two Korean cohorts (KoGES and SNUH).

The effect of physical therapy with goal attainment scaling on gait function in patients with subacute stroke.

Background: Correct goal setting for patients is one of the most important aspects of physical therapy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of physical therapy using goal attainment scaling (GAS) scores to assess the gait function in patients with subacute stroke and related factors.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using the medical records of 129 patients with subacute stroke who had been treated with intensive rehabilitation intervention.

Study protocol for a prospective, investigator-initiated clinical trial on the vascular effects of acupuncture in the abdomen and lower limbs for patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

Background: Physicians classify irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea symptoms under the label IBS-D which represents a gastrointestinal disorder that meets specific functional diagnostic criteria. Studies show acupuncture helps manage IBS-D symptoms though researchers do not understand if specific treatment points in the abdomen provide better outcomes than standard acupuncture points in the lower body regions. The study investigates the effects acupuncture treatments using local and systemic needling techniques have on IBS-D symptom expression and gut microbial diversity features.

Integrating bioaccessibility into human health risk assessment: Stabilization approach of smelter-contaminated soil with natural organic amendments.

This study evaluates the stabilization of arsenic (As), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) in moderately contaminated soil near a Cu smelter of South Korea using natural organic amendments (NOAs) at different ratios of fulvic and humic acids. The research revealed varying behaviors of anionic metalloid (As) and cationic metals (Cu and Pb) under different ratios of fulvic and humic acids over the incubation period. Sequential extraction results showed opposite trend of pH effect on anionic metalloid and cationic metals, which showed the increase of As extractability with pH increase and vice versa for cationic metals.

Thyroid Hormone Sensitivity as a Possible Determinant of Metabolic Phenotypes in Young Adults, Not in the Elderly.

Objective: We evaluated the association between thyroid sensitivity indices and metabolic phenotypes, including metabolically healthy and unhealthy individuals with obesity (MHO, MUO) and normal weight (MHNW, MUNW), focusing on age-specific differences.

Methods: Data from participants aged ≥18 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2012 were analyzed. Thyroid sensitivity indices, including the Thyroid Feedback Quantile-based Index (TFQI), Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Index (TSHI), and Thyrotroph Thyroxine Resistance Index (TT4RI), were calculated.

Pim1 promotes the maintenance of bone homeostasis by regulating osteoclast function.

The Pim1 (proviral integration site for Moloney leukemia virus 1) protein is a serine/threonine kinase that is essential for cell proliferation, apoptosis and innate immune responses. Here we show that Pim1 promotes osteoclast resorptive function without affecting osteoclast numbers. Specifically, we found that mice lacking Pim1 (Pim1) developed increased trabecular bone mass and indices such as trabecular bone-mass density.

Alteration of prefrontal functional connectivity in preclinical Alzheimer's disease: an fNIRS study.

Background: Early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is vital for delaying its progression through timely intervention. The preclinical stage, the longest phase of AD, often goes undetected due to a lack of noticeable symptoms. Developing an accessible and quantitative screening method for AD is essential for enabling appropriate interventions during this stage.

Enzymatic properties of iron oxide nanoclusters and their application as a colorimetric glucose detection probe.

Nanozymes have attracted attention owing to their distinct catalytic capabilities and potential applications, being advantageous compared to natural enzymes in terms of storage and cost efficiency. In this study, we investigated the enzymatic properties of iron oxide nanoclusters (IOCs) formed through the clustering of small nanoparticles. Our findings reveal that the enzymatic activity of IOCs is enhanced as their size increases.

Deep Learning Technology for Classification of Thyroid Nodules Using Multi-View Ultrasound Images: Potential Benefits and Challenges in Clinical Application.

Backgruound: This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of deep learning technology to thyroid ultrasound images for classification of thyroid nodules.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included ultrasound images of patients with thyroid nodules investigated by fine-needle aspiration at the thyroid clinic of a single center from April 2010 to September 2012. Thyroid nodules with cytopathologic results of Bethesda category V (suspicious for malignancy) or VI (malignant) were defined as thyroid cancer.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Peripheral HTR2A Antagonists for Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer is a prevalent and prominent contributor to global cancer-related fatalities with challenges in drug resistance and metastasis. Recent research highlights the potential relationship between serotonin and cancer. 5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A) mRNA expression in colorectal cancer cells was found to be notably elevated compared to that in normal colon cells.

binary toxin CDT induces biofilm-like persisting microcolonies.

Clinical symptoms of infection (CDI) range from diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis. A major challenge in managing CDI is the high rate of relapse. Several studies correlate the production of CDT binary toxin by clinical strains of with higher relapse rates.

Cell-penetrating anti-sense peptide nucleic acids targeting sulfatase 2 inhibit adipogenesis in human mesenchymal stem cells.

Targeting the genes regulate the lineage commitment of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to adipocytes provides a promising strategy for addressing obesity. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of cell-penetrating anti-sense peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) designed to enhance solubility and hybridization properties, specifically targeting sulfatase 2 (SULF2), a potential reciprocal regulator of adipocyte and osteoblast differentiation in hMSCs. Cell-penetrating modified PNA oligomers effectively inhibit SULF2 gene transcription, leading to significant reductions in adiponectin protein synthesis and intracellular lipid droplet accumulation during adipogenesis in human bone marrow-derived MSCs (hBM-MSCs).

3D keloid spheroid model: Development and application for personalized drug response prediction.

Research on keloid is limited by the lack of proper in vitro and animal model reflecting in vivo status. Based on heterogeneity of keloid and important role of endothelial cells in its pathogenesis, a novel 3D in vitro keloid spheroid prepared with keloid fibroblasts and endothelial cells was evaluated in this study. Commercial cell lines of keloid fibroblasts and endothelial cells were used at various cellular ratios to generate keloid spheroids to determine the optimal condition.

In Vitro Investigation of HIF-1α as a Therapeutic Target for Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy.

Backgruound: Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) involves tissue expansion and inflammation, potentially causing a hypoxic microenvironment. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is crucial in fibrosis and adipogenesis, which are observed in TAO progression. We investigated the effects of hypoxia on orbital fibroblasts (OFs) in TAO, focusing on the role of HIF-1α in TAO progression.

Use of a Fundus Image-Based Titration Strategy for Selective Retina Therapy for Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of selective retina therapy (SRT) for treating central serous chorioretinopathy. A fundus image-based titration method was used for laser irradiation. This retrospective cohort study included 29 eyes (29 patients) that underwent SRT for CSC.

Effects of track-based stair climbing robot on muscle activity, usability, and psychological anxiety: a preliminary study.

This study investigated the effects of using the LiftCar-150 track-based stair-climbing robot on muscle activity, usability, and psychological anxiety. While stair-climbing robots enhance mobility for individuals with physical disabilities, existing research has predominantly focused on engineering perspectives, with limited attention to user-centered outcomes. Ten healthy participants and an 80 kg dummy rider completed stair-climbing tasks at slow (5 m/min) and fast (7 m/min) speeds.

Development of tungsten-modified iron oxides to decompose an over-the-counter painkiller, Acetaminophen by activating peroxymonosulfate.

Acetaminophen (APAP) is a well-known type of over-the-counter painkillers and is frequently found in surface waterbodies, causing hepatotoxicity and skin irritation. Due to its persistence and chronic effects on the environment, innovative solutions must be provided to decompose APAP, effectively. Innovative catalysts of tungsten-modified iron oxides (TF) were successfully developed via a combustion method and thoroughly characterized using SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, a porosimetry analysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy, VSM magnetometry, and EPR.

Assessment of arthrogenic quadriceps muscle inhibition by physical examination in the supine position during isometric contraction is feasible as demonstrated by electromyography: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Preventing severe arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) after knee injury is critical for better prognosis. The novel Sonnery-Cottet classification of AMI enables the evaluation of AMI severity but requires validation. This study aimed to investigate the electromyography (EMG) patterns of leg muscles in the examination position from the classification during isometric contraction to confirm its validity.