Optimizing Winter-Type Seasonality Criteria in East Asian Populations: A Machine Learning Approach Using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire.

Background: The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) evaluates seasonal variations in mood and behavior. According to Kasper's criteria, individuals meeting diagnostic standards for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or subsyndromal SAD (S-SAD) are categorized as winter or summer type based on the month they "feel worst." However, in East Asian countries with hot, humid summers, relying solely on the "feel worst" item may misclassify seasonality.

Epigenome-wide association study of BMI and waist-to-hip ratio and their associations with dietary patterns in Korean adults.

Obesity and abdominal obesity contribute to significant metabolic health risks through distinct pathophysiological mechanisms. We conducted an epigenome-wide association study to identify differential DNA methylation patterns associated with body mass index (BMI)-defined and abdominal obesity and explore their relationships with dietary intake among Korean adults (n = 1,526). We identified 23 and 1931 DMPs associated with abdominal obesity and severe BMI-defined obesity, respectively, with four CpG sites common to both phenotypes.

Surface Tension-Guided Drop-and-Spread Inkjet Printing for Additive Fabrication of CNT Field-Effect Transistor Biosensors.

Carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNT FETs) are highly regarded in nanoelectronics for their superior electrical properties, yet their broader adoption in nanotechnology is hindered by challenges in scalable fabrication. These challenges are primarily related to controlling nanotube density and achieving consistent alignment at electrode junctions for large-scale production. Here, we present a novel in-place inkjet printing technique to construct CNT FETs, ensuring controlled numbers of connected CNTs.

Long-Term Outcomes and Predictors in Cancer-Related Stroke Using the Linked Data Set.

Background: Data on long-term prognostic factors in patients with cancer-related stroke are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes and investigate prognostic factors of cancer-related stroke using a linked data set.

Methods: Between January 2008 and December 2014, patients with cancer-related stroke (n=690) were included in a linked data set comprising the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claims database and the Clinical Research Center for Stroke registry data.

Purification and characterization of a novel antimicrobial peptide from visceral tissue of sea urchin, Heliocidaris crassispina.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are crucial components of the innate immune system and are increasingly recognized as potential alternatives to traditional antibiotics. In this study, we report the isolation and characterization of Heliocidin, a novel AMP purified from the visceral tissue of the sea urchin Heliocidaris crassispina. Heliocidin was purified using a series of HPLC steps, and its molecular mass was determined by LC-MS.

Neuroprotective effect of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonist lobeglitazone following intracerebral hemorrhage in rats.

Lobeglitazone, an oral antidiabetic medication, acts as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist and demonstrates neuroprotective effects. This study investigated beneficial effects and mechanisms of lobeglitazone treatment in an experimental intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) rat model. ICH was induced in the left striatum of Sprague-Dawley rats by administration of 0.

Deep Learning-Based Classification of NSCLC-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Using AFM Nanomechanical Signatures.

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with liquid biopsy emerging as a promising tool for noninvasive diagnostics. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) serve as molecular messengers of the tumor microenvironment, yet precise characterization methods remain limited. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we analyzed EVs from NSCLC subtypes (A549, PC9, PC9/GR) and nontumorigenic bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B), revealing that A549-derived EVs exhibited significantly higher stiffness, likely due to mutation-associated lipid alterations.

Effects of Plant-Derived Dietary Supplements on Lipid Profiles in Menopausal Women: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials.

A Comprehensive evaluation of plant-derived supplements for hypolipidemic effects in menopausal women requires robust clinical trials and integrated analysis of diverse research findings. To address this, we conducted a systematic review and meta - analysis to evaluate the effects of plant-derived supplements on lipid profiles in menopausal women. Relevant studies were identified through systematic searches in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CENTRAL until June 2022.

SMART-M24: A Prognostic Nomogram for Long-Term Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke Beyond 24 H from Symptom Onset.

Prognostication after acute ischemic stroke is crucial for long-term care plans. Although hyperacute management significantly affects outcomes, prognostic factors for patients receiving delayed care remain unknown. This study aimed to evaluate predictors and develop a method for estimating long-term mortality in patients with delayed hospital arrival 24 h after stroke symptom onset.

Predicting outcomes in patients with sepsis-associated encephalopathy using prefrontal functional connectivity analysis.

We investigated the relationship between prefrontal functional connectivity of oxyhemoglobin and outcomes in sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Additionally, we developed a prognostic method for patients with SAE. A total of 40 consecutive patients with SAE were prospectively included.

Acute Abdominal Pain with Obstructing Trichobezoar: A Pediatric Case of Rapunzel Syndrome Diagnosed in a Pediatric Emergency Department.

Introduction: Acute abdominal pain is a prevalent complaint in pediatric emergency departments. Primary care physicians can find it challenging to treat such pain and, in particular, to determine whether it requires emergent surgical intervention. Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical cause of abdominal pain, but it is important to understand that other rare conditions can also be life-threatening.

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) improves sleep quality in chronic insomnia disorder: A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial.

Background: Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that significantly impacts quality of life and health. Conventional treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and pharmacological interventions have limitations, underscoring the need for non-invasive alternatives. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has emerged as a promising therapy to enhance sleep quality by modulating the autonomic nervous system.

Harnessing Extracellular Vesicles for Targeted Drug Delivery in Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer remains one of the most lethal gynecologic malignancies, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis, high recurrence rates, and the development of chemoresistance. Although targeted therapies have improved patient outcomes, their efficacy is often limited by off-target toxicity and acquired drug resistance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanoscale vesicles naturally released by cells, have emerged as promising carriers for precision drug delivery.

Molecularly Responsive Aptamer-Functionalized Hydrogel for Continuous Plasmonic Biomonitoring.

Continuous in vivo monitoring of small molecule biomarkers requires biosensors with reversibility, sensitivity in physiologically relevant ranges, and biological stability. Leveraging the real-time, label-free detection capability of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology, a molecularly responsive hydrogel film is introduced to enhance small molecule sensitivity. This advanced biosensing platform utilizes split-aptamer-cross-linked hydrogels (aptagels) engineered using 8-arm poly(ethylene glycol) macromers, capable of directly and reversibly detecting vancomycin.

Association between diastolic blood viscosity and functional outcomes after acute ischemic stroke.

Background: While blood viscosity is recognized as a contributing factor in cerebrovascular disease pathophysiology, the specific role of diastolic blood viscosity (DBV) in functional outcomes after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains unclear. This study investigates the relationship between admission DBV levels and 3-month functional outcomes in patients with AIS.

Methods: We analyzed 413 AIS patients admitted within 7 days of symptom onset.

Quantum federated learning with pole-angle quantum local training and trainable measurement.

Recently, quantum federated learning (QFL) has received significant attention as an innovative paradigm. QFL has remarkable features by employing quantum neural networks (QNNs) instead of conventional neural networks owing to quantum supremacy. In order to enhance the flexibility and reliability of classical QFL frameworks, this paper proposes a novel slimmable QFL (SlimQFL) incorporating QNN-grounded slimmable neural network (QSNN) architectures.

System for Predicting Neurological Outcomes Following Cardiac Arrest Based on Clinical Predictors Using a Machine Learning Method: The Neurological Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest Method.

Background: A multimodal approach may prove effective for predicting clinical outcomes following cardiac arrest (CA). We aimed to develop a practical predictive model that incorporates clinical factors related to CA and multiple prognostic tests using machine learning methods.

Methods: The neurological outcomes after CA (NOCA) method for predicting poor outcomes were developed using data from 390 patients with CA between May 2018 and June 2023.

Connective tissue disease is associated with the risk of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome following lung transplantation in Korea.

Background: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare complication of lung transplantation with poorly understood risk factors and clinical characteristics. This study aimed to examine the occurrence, risk factors, and clinical data of patients who developed PRES following lung transplantation.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 147 patients who underwent lung transplantation between February 2013 and December 2023.

Relationship Between Poor Sleep and Depressive Symptoms in Korean Elite Youth Athletes.

: Sleep and mental health are crucial to elite youth athletes, who face combined pressures of training, competition, school, and social commitments. We examined the association between sleep and depression in elite youth athletes. : We analyzed data of 248 Korean world-class youth athletes (aged 13-19 years).

Sex-based disparities in the association between uric acid levels and anxiety: a cross-sectional analysis of nationwide data in Korea.

Background: Uric acid has antioxidant properties, and several studies have suggested its neuroprotective effects. Despite reports of increased oxidative damage and decreased antioxidants in anxiety disorders, findings remain inconclusive. This study investigated the association between serum uric acid levels and anxiety symptoms, stratified by sex, using nationwide data from South Korea.

Factors for Treatment Failure After Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Infection.

Recently, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been introduced as an effective treatment option for infection (CDI). However, the risk factors associated with FMT treatment failure have not been well demonstrated. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the risk factors of treatment failure or recurrence after FMT for CDI.

Risk of long-term post-stroke dementia using a linked dataset of patients with ischemic stroke without a history of dementia.

Background: Post-stroke dementia (PSD) is a common and disabling sequela of stroke. However, the long-term incidence of PSD after an ischemic stroke and factors which predict its occurrence are incompletely understood. Linkage of large health datasets is being increasing used to study long-term outcomes after disease.

Anti-Obesity Effects of Water Extract on 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

This study offers promising insights into the anti-obesity potential an edible mushroom valued in Asian cuisine for its nutritional benefits. A hot water extract of (PWE) administered to high-fat diet-induced obese mice over an 8-week period significantly reduced their body weight gain and fat accumulation. PWE not only improved the body weight metrics but also positively influenced the serum lipid profile of obese mice by lowering their total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

Isolated reversible mydriasis was associated with the use of nebulized ipratropium bromide: a case series using quantitative pupilometer in Korea.

Background: Abnormal pupillary reactivity is a neurological emergency requiring prompt evaluation to identify its underlying causes. Although isolated unilateral mydriasis without accompanying neurological abnormalities is rare, it has occasionally been associated with nebulizer use. We aimed to quantitatively assess pupillary changes using a pupillometer in cases of isolated mydriasis, which has not been described in previous studies.