Platelet-rich plasma enhances local homing of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells to articular cartilage by increasing the quantity and activation of integrin ꞵ1.

Background: Enhancing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) engraftment at the degenerative cartilage is important to increase the therapeutic effect of cartilage regeneration. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is known to have anti-inflammatory and anabolic effects for the treatment of osteoarthritis and has been reported to be commonly used with MSCs. However, little is known about the effects of PRP on MSCs adhesion to cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM).

High-Quality Targeted Temperature Management After Cardiac Arrest; Results from the Korean Hypothermia Network Prospective Registry.

Most out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors are comatose due to hypoxic ischemic brain injury. Targeted temperature management (TTM) is the only evidence-based neuroprotective intervention for this condition; however, the optimal implementation of TTM has yet to be determined. The concept of high-quality TTM has been proposed to improve patient outcomes, but its clinical impact has not been thoroughly evaluated.

Effects of polyphosphates with different chain lengths on digestive organ weight, carcass quality, and immune response, and intestinal microflora in broilers.

Physiological effects of polyphosphates with different chain lengths were unknown in poultry. The effect of 0.05% concentration of short chain polyphosphates (SCPP), medium chain polyphosphates (MCPP) and long chain polyphosphates (LCPP) was observed in broilers.

Early postnatal right-to-left patent ductus arteriosus shunting and severe outcomes in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a severe anomaly associated with significant pulmonary hypertension (PH) and high mortality, often requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Early prognostic markers are essential to guide clinical decisions. This study evaluated the prognostic value of right-to-left (R-L) shunting in the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) during the early postnatal period in predicting ECMO use and mortality in neonates with CDH.

Common chromosomal aneuploidy testing using non-invasive trophoblast retrieval and isolation from the cervix (TRIC) in pregnant women.

Purpose: Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for aneuploidy has been developed to overcome the limitations of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). NIPT, which analyzes cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in the maternal blood, can only detect a few aneuploidies, such as trisomies 13, 18, and 21. Trophoblast retrieval and isolation from the cervix (TRIC) is an alternative method that separates trophoblasts from endocervical cells using a Papanicolaou smear for NIPD.

Evidence-based Nomenclature for Classification, Diagnosis, and Management of Infantile Exotropia.

Despite extensive research on clinical characteristics, patient management, and surgical outcomes of intermittent exotropia, there remains significant confusion regarding the nomenclature system for infantile exotropia, which develops before 12 months of age. Additionally, there still is a controversy over whether infantile exotropia represents the phenotypic counterpart of infantile esotropia or early-onset intermittent exotropia. In this article, we critically review the previous nomenclature systems and propose some modifications to the current classifications of infantile exotropia.

Systemic Therapies for Metastatic Melanoma.

Systemic therapies for advanced local and metastatic melanoma, typically used for Stage IIB or higher, can broadly be classified into 2 categories: immunotherapies and targeted therapies. Immunotherapies work by inhibiting immune checkpoints (ie, disinhibiting immune checkpoint blockade), resulting in greater T-cell anti-tumor activity. Targeted therapies, reserved for BRAF V600-mutant melanomas, are orally-available small molecules that inhibit the function of activated oncoproteins such as BRAF and MEK.

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an artificial intelligence-based cancer survivorship care plan service using digital platforms: a single-arm prospective pilot study.

Purpose: This study tested the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based survivorship care plan (SCP) service (named "quality of life [QOL] + intervention") for posttreatment breast cancer survivors using digital platforms.

Methods: A single-arm prospective pilot study was conducted, and 38 posttreatment breast cancer survivors in South Korea were enrolled. The QOL + intervention consisted of 1) collection of patient-reported outcomes data from survivors via a mobile app, 2) automated generation of SCP via a website, and 3) in-person SCP review and counseling.

Clinical outcomes with the use of aspirin versus clopidogrel as a combination therapy with direct oral anticoagulant after coronary stent implantation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are recommended to receive double antithrombotic therapy including an antiplatelet agent and direct anticoagulants (DOAC). The efficacy and safety of aspirin versus clopidogrel as a combination therapy with DOAC were compared in the present study.

Methods: Patient data from the Korea National Health Insurance Service from 2013 to 2020 were analyzed.

Advanced Atomic Layer Modulation Based Highly Homogeneous PtRu Precious Metals Alloy Thin Films.

Atomic layer modulation (ALM) presents a novel approach for controlling the stoichiometry of platinum-ruthenium (PtRu) alloys rather than a tedious atomic layer deposition (ALD) supercycling multielement ALD process. This method sequentially pulses dimethyl-(N,N-dimethyl-3-butene-1-amine-N)platinum (CHNPt, DDAP) and tricarbonyl(trimethylenemethane)ruthenium [Ru(TMM)(CO)] precursors with O as a counter reactant at 225 °C to produce ALM-PtRu bimetallic alloys at the nanoscale. By smartly adjusting precursor pulsing times and temperatures, the average surface composition during growth can be modulated, achieving precise control over the PtRu alloy stoichiometry.

Protective Effects of Bronchopulmonary Sequestration (BPS) on the Prognosis of Neonates with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH).

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) are rare congenital anomalies that can coexist, with studies suggesting that 25-40% of CDH cases are accompanied by BPS. The association between CDH and BPS is thought to arise from embryological disruptions during early gestation, with BPS potentially serving as an anatomical barrier. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients with concurrent CDH and BPS at a single institution to improve therapeutic approaches.

Estimating the Prevalence of Autosomal Recessive Neuromuscular Diseases in the Korean Population.

Background: Genetic neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are a heterogeneous group of conditions that primarily affect the peripheral nerves, muscles, and neuromuscular junctions. This study was performed to identify pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (PLPVs), calculate carrier frequencies, and predict the genetic prevalence of autosomal recessive-NMDs (AR-NMDs) in a Korean population.

Methods: In total, 267 genes were associated with AR-NMDs.

Attenuated Nuclear Tension Regulates Progerin-Induced Mechanosensitive Nuclear Wrinkling and Chromatin Remodeling.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, caused by a mutation in the LMNA gene, leads to increased levels of truncated prelamin A, progerin, in the nuclear membrane. The accumulation of progerin results in defective nuclear morphology and is associated with altered expression of linker of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton complex proteins, which are critical for nuclear signal transduction via molecular coupling between the extranuclear cytoskeleton and lamin-associated nuclear envelope. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying progerin accumulation-induced nuclear deformation and its effects on intranuclear chromosomal organization remain unclear.

Rare genetic variation in PTPRB is associated with central serous chorioretinopathy, varicose veins and glaucoma.

Central serous chorioretinopathy is an eye disease characterized by fluid buildup under the central retina whose etiology is not well understood. Abnormal choroidal veins in central serous chorioretinopathy patients have been shown to have similarities with varicose veins. To identify potential mechanisms, we analyzed genotype data from 1,477 patients and 455,449 controls in FinnGen.

Comparison of Two Quinupristin-dalfopristin Susceptibility Testing Methods and Two Interpretive Criteria for Bloodstream Isolates from Korean Hospitals.

, particularly in its multidrug-resistant forms, causes invasive nosocomial infections. Given the limited data comparing the effectiveness of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) and the CLSI clinical breakpoints (CBPs) for quinupristin-dalfopristin (QD) resistance and the need to evaluate their practical application, we retrospectively investigated the susceptibility patterns of 287 bloodstream isolates from Korean hospitals to QD using the updated EUCAST and CLSI CBPs and two antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods: disk diffusion (DD) and Sensititre broth microdilution (Sensititre). QD resistance rates were 5.

Prevalence and perinatal risk factors of growth retardation in congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors.

Background: Growth retardation (GR) is one of the major morbidities in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and perinatal risk factors of growth failure in CDH survivors.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of isolated CDH patients with gestational age ≥ 35 weeks who survived to 3 years of age.

Layer-by-layer NH3 plasma treatment for area-selective atomic layer deposition of high-quality SiO2 thin films.

Area-selective atomic layer deposition (area-selective ALD) has been extensively studied because of its versatility in nanotechnological applications. The priority focus in area-selective ALD is to achieve the desired selectivity; thus, most studies to date have been concentrated on the reaction mechanism of ALD on growth/nongrowth substrates or the development of novel methodologies to resolve the challenges associated with its implementation in high-volume manufacturing. In this study, we performed area-selective ALD of SiO2 on SiO2, where SiO2 was not grown on SiNx, and suggested area-selective ALD approaches that could simultaneously enhance selectivity and film quality.

3D Visualized Anatomy Model Software for Teaching Acupoints and Related Neurovascular Musculature in Korean Acupoint Practice Classes.

Background: The integration of new technologies into medical education is transforming the learning landscape, particularly in acupuncture education. The necessity for remote learning due to the pandemic has accelerated the development of digital tools, such as anatomical software, to replace traditional in-person classes. In response to these changes, Dongguk University in Korea has developed AcupointDG, a three-dimensional (3D) visualized anatomy model software designed to enhance the understanding of acupoints and their associated neurovascular musculature.

Enhancing Biodegradable Bone Plate Performance: Stereocomplex Polylactic Acid for Improved Mechanical Properties and Near-Infrared Transparency.

The use of biodegradable materials in bone plates offers remarkable advantages; however, their application in bone fixation is limited by their brittleness. Moreover, treatments tailored to patient conditions are needed in orthopedics. In this study, bone plates were fabricated with stereocomplex polylactic acid (scPLA) and the effects of poly(d-lactic acid) molecular weight and scPLA blending ratios were analyzed.

A stilbenoid, rhapontigenin, isolated from the root of Rheum palmatum L. acts as a potent BACE1 inhibitor.

Seven compounds, comprising three anthraquinones and four stilbenoids, were isolated from the roots of Rheum palmatum L. These compounds include chrysophanol (1), aloe-emodin (2), aloe-emodin 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), desoxyrhapontigenin (4), rhapontigenin (5), desoxyrhaponticin (6), and piceatannol 3'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7). Among these, compound 5 showed potent β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) inhibitory activity with an IC value of 0.

"Polarized glasses dissociation test" for detection of suppression in intermittent exotropia.

Detecting suppression is important for monitoring change in and determining surgical timing for intermittent exotropia. Here, we evaluate the results of a prospective, cross-sectional study of the "polarized glasses dissociation test" for detection of suppression. A positive result was defined as constant deviation of one eye at 6 m when viewing at distance with polarized glasses.

Acral Melanoma: A Review of Its Pathogenesis, Progression, and Management.

Acral melanoma is a distinct subtype of cutaneous malignant melanoma that uniquely occurs on ultraviolet (UV)-shielded, glabrous skin of the palms, soles, and nail beds. While acral melanoma only accounts for 2-3% of all melanomas, it represents the most common subtype among darker-skinned, non-Caucasian individuals. Unlike other cutaneous melanomas, acral melanoma does not arise from UV radiation exposure and is accordingly associated with a relatively low tumor mutational burden.

Peptide mapping analysis of synthetic semaglutide and liraglutide for generic development of drugs originating from recombinant DNA technology.

Semaglutide and liraglutide are long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists used to treat type-2 diabetes and obesity. Recent advances in peptide synthesis and analytical technologies have enabled the development of synthetic generic peptide for reference listed drugs (RLD) originating from recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology. Since the original semaglutide and liraglutide were produced through rDNA technology, there has been great interest in developing their synthetic peptides as generic versions of the original drugs.