Predicting short-term outcomes in atrial-fibrillation-related stroke using machine learning.

Background: Prognostic prediction and the identification of prognostic factors are critical during the early period of atrial-fibrillation (AF)-related strokes as AF is associated with poor outcomes in stroke patients.

Methods: Two independent datasets, namely, the Korean Atrial Fibrillation Evaluation Registry in Ischemic Stroke Patients (K-ATTENTION) and the Korea University Stroke Registry (KUSR), were used for internal and external validation, respectively. These datasets include common variables such as demographic, laboratory, and imaging findings during early hospitalization.

Incidence and Distribution of the Pathogens Causing GI Infections at a University Hospital of Korea.

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) infections, caused by various pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites, are the second most common infectious diseases. Molecular diagnostics that can simultaneously detect these pathogens are commonly used in syndromic approaches. The authors aimed to identify the causative pathogens of GI infections to provide clinically useful information.

Antiplatelet regimens after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack: a systematic review and updated network meta-analysis.

Background: It is still uncertain which antiplatelet regimen had the greatest net clinical benefit in patients who have suffered a transient ischemic attack or non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke, and it is necessary to choose the optimal regimen according to the clinical situation.

Methods: We utilized 3 databases of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to find randomized controlled trials that met our criteria, and performed network meta-analyses in recurrent stroke, composite outcomes, major bleeding events, recurrent ischemic stroke, and all bleeding events. Three-dimensional clustered rank plots were used to obtain the net clinical benefit.

Antiplatelet regimens for Asian patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: The optimal antiplatelet treatment for the secondary prevention of non-cardioembolic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) remains uncertain in Asians.

Methods: We searched for eligible randomized control trials in Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. A Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of antiplatelet regimens with placebo as the control.

Variabilities in Weight and Waist Circumference and Risk of Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, and Mortality: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Evidence regarding the association between variabilities in obesity measures and health outcomes is limited. We aimed to examine the association between variabilities in obesity measures and cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality.

Methods: We identified 4,244,460 individuals who underwent health examination conducted by the Korean National Health Insurance Service during 2012, with ≥3 anthropometric measurements between 2009 and 2012.

Lifetime and diffusion distance of singlet oxygen in air under everyday atmospheric conditions.

Singlet oxygen is a toxic chemical but powerful oxidant, exploited in many chemical and biological applications. However, the lifetime of singlet oxygen in air under atmospheric conditions is yet to be known. This has limited safe usage of singlet oxygen in air, despite being a strong antimicrobial agent with the unique property of relaxing to breathable oxygen after serving its purpose.

Associations between Living Alone and Smoking and Alcohol Consumption in Korean Adults.

Background: Recently, single-person households have increased in Korea and this trend may have potential public health implications and affect various health behaviors. This study investigated the associations between living alone and health behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption among Korean adults.

Methods: We used data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2015 and a total of 17,088 adults were included.

Smart Hybrid Nanocomposite for Photodynamic Inactivation of Cancer Cells with Selectivity.

Photodynamic therapy has been efficiently applied for cancer therapy. Here, we have fabricated the folic acid (FA)- and pheophorbide A (PA)-conjugated FA/PA@FeO nanoparticle (smart hybrid nanocomposite, SHN) to enhance the photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of specific cancer cells. SHN coated with the PDI agent is designed to have selectivity for the folate receptor (FR) expressed on cancer cells.

Obesity, abdominal obesity and subsequent risk of kidney cancer: a cohort study of 23.3 million East Asians.

Background: Limited evidence exists regarding associations between obesity and kidney cancer among Asians. We examined the associations between obesity measures and risk of kidney cancer.

Methods: We included 23,313,046 adults who underwent health examinations provided by the Korean National Health Insurance Service 2009-2012 and performed multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses.

Chronic renal dysfunction, proteinuria, and risk of Parkinson's disease in the elderly.

Background: The roles of chronic kidney disease and proteinuria in the development of Parkinson's disease have not been widely studied. The objective of this study was to examine the associations of chronic renal dysfunction and proteinuria with the risk of PD in older adults using cohort data of the whole South Korean population.

Methods: We included 3,580,435 individuals aged ≥65 years who had undergone health checkups provided by the National Health Insurance Service of South Korea between 2009 and 2012 and were followed until 2015.

Selective C-C bond formation from rhodium-catalyzed C-H activation reaction of 2-arylpyridines with 3-aryl-2-azirines.

A novel method for the synthesis of acylmethyl-substituted 2-arylpyridine derivatives using 3-aryl-2-azirines was developed by exploring a prototype reaction using DFT-calculations and carrying out targeted experiments guided by the calculated mechanism. 2-Azirine was initially hypothesized to ring-open at the metal center to furnish familiar metal nitrene complexes that may undergo C-N coupling. Computational studies quickly revealed and prototype experimental work confirmed that neither the formation of the expected metal nitrene complexes nor the C-N coupling were viable.

Study of Singlet Oxygen Dynamics on Silicon Polymer Matrix.

We report a detailed analysis of singlet oxygen generated from the photofunctional polymer film (PFPF) matrix which is the silicone polymer film (PDMS) embedded with a photosensitizer. Activation and deactivation dynamics of singlet oxygen generated from PFPFs were investigated with time-resolved phosphorescence spectroscopy. The singlet oxygen generated from PFPFs was dissipated into three different regions of the polymer matrix; the inside (component A), the surface (component B), and the outside (component C).

Target-oriented photofunctional nanoparticles (TOPFNs) for selective photodynamic inactivation of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

To inactivate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with minimum damage to host cells and tissue, target-oriented photofunctional nanoparticles (TOPFNs) were fabricated and characterized. MRSA is a predominant infective pathogen even in hospital and non-hospital environments due to its ability to develop high levels of resistance to several classes of antibiotics through various pathways. To solve this major problem, photodynamic inactivation (PDI) method applies to treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Effectiveness of Intraluminal Air Decompression on Postcolonoscopic Pain According to Reinsertion Site.

Background: Colonoscopy is a very effective and essential examination to diagnose colorectal cancer; however, many patients experience discomfort due to post-examination abdominal pain, which reduces colonoscopy compliance. This study was conducted to determine methods for reducing post-colonoscopic abdominal pain.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled study of 405 male and female adults who visited Hana General Hospital in Cheongju.

Discovery of boronic acid-based fluorescent probes targeting amyloid-beta plaques in Alzheimer's disease.

A boronic acid-based fluorescent probe was developed for diagnosis of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques from Alzheimer's disease (AD). Probe 4c, which included boronic acid as a functional group, exhibited a significant increase (64.37-fold, FAβ/F0) in fluorescence intensity as a response to Aβ aggregates, with a blue shift (105nm) in the maximum emission wavelength.

Development of fluorescent probes that bind and stain amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease.

β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques in the brain are composed of Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides, and are the defining pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Fluorescent probes that can detect Aβ plaques have gained increasing interest as potential tools for in vitro and in vivo monitoring of the progression of AD. In this study, chalcone-mimic fluorescent probe 5 was designed and prepared.

Production of rubusoside from stevioside by using a thermostable lactase from Thermus thermophilus and solubility enhancement of liquiritin and teniposide.

Solubility is an important factor for achieving the desired plasma level of drug for pharmacological response. About 40% of drugs are not soluble in water in practice and therefore are slowly absorbed, which results in insufficient and uneven bioavailability and GI toxicity. Rubusoside (Ru) is a sweetener component in herbal tea and was discovered to enhance the solubility of a number of pharmaceutically and medicinally important compounds, including anticancer compounds.

Purification of capsular polysaccharide produced by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19A.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of invasive infection in young infants and older adults. There are currently 90 capsular serotypes identified and 23 serotypes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19F, 19A, 20, 22F, 23F, and 33F) are responsible for about 90% of invasive disease. Among the more than 90 different S.

Optimization of capsular polysaccharide production by Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3.

Response surface methodology (RSM) examining the effects of five-level-three-factors and their mutual interactions was utilized to optimize the fermentation conditions to enhance capsular polysaccharide (CPS) production of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3. Twenty experiments conducted in an 8-l lab-scale fermentor were designed to assess fermentation pH, supplemented glucose concentration, and stirring rate. The predicted highest CPS production by the obtained optimization model equation was 256.