Outcomes of Patients With Unresectable Cholangiocarcinoma After Portal Vein Embolization: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) who underwent portal vein embolization (PVE) with a focus on overall survival (OS) and the frequency of biliary drainage (BD).

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated 255 patients with unresectable CCA; 56 patients underwent PVE but ultimately remained unresectable. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize the potential confounding factors.

Atomic-resolution structure of a chimeric Powassan tick-borne flavivirus.

Powassan virus (POWV) is an emerging tick-borne flavivirus for which no vaccine or antiviral treatment exists. The incidence of human infections of POWV in North America has been increasing because of the expanding distribution of the tick vector that transmits POWV to humans. To mitigate the dangers of handling a risk group 3 human pathogen, a chimeric virus was constructed from the genetic backbone of a yellow fever virus vaccine strain 17D (YFV-17D) and the external structural proteins of POWV lineage II.

Modified Irwin Test with Single Intravenous Administration of Caffeine in Mice.

This study investigated the behavioral effects of intravenous caffeine administration in mice using a modified Irwin test. Thirty-two male ICR mice were divided into four groups and received intravenous doses of caffeine: 0 (control), 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg. Behavioral observations were conducted at 0, 0.

Associations of parental experiences and perceived nurse staffing adequacy with ward and hospital ratings in pediatric wards.

Purpose: This study investigated the associations of parent-perceived nurse staffing adequacy and parental experiences during their child's hospitalization in pediatric wards with their ward and hospital ratings.

Design And Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 319 parents with children hospitalized in a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Staffing adequacy was rated on a 4-point scale.

An overview of artificial intelligence and machine learning in shoulder surgery.

Machine learning (ML), a subset of artificial intelligence (AI), utilizes advanced algorithms to learn patterns from data, enabling accurate predictions and decision-making without explicit programming. In orthopedic surgery, ML is transforming clinical practice, particularly in shoulder arthroplasty and rotator cuff tears (RCTs) management. This review explores the fundamental paradigms of ML, including supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning, alongside key algorithms such as XGBoost, neural networks, and generative adversarial networks.

Safety Pharmacological Assessment of Oral Theophylline Administration on Respiratory Function in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

In this study, we evaluated the safety pharmacological effects and potential adverse reactions of orally administered theophylline. Theophylline, a commonly used bronchodilator, is a xanthine derivative that exerts stimulatory effects on the central nervous system. Using an experimental rat model, we explored the impact of theophylline on respiratory parameters, including respiratory rate, tidal volume, and minute volume.

Li-Ion Diffusivity Mismatch in Commercial Level High-Ni Single-Crystalline NCM Cathode and Graphite-SiO Composite Anode: Degradation Mechanism and Controlled Charging Protocol.

High-nickel (Ni > 80%) single-crystalline [NiCoMn]O (NCM) cathodes and graphite-SiO composite anodes are a commercial level combination to enable the development of high-energy-density Li-ion batteries. However, full cells with this combination exhibit a significant increase in resistance and cycle degradation during cycling at room temperature. Paradoxically, this phenomenon is alleviated at an elevated temperature (45 °C).

Functional Observation Battery Test for Single Intravenous Caffeine Exposure in Male ICR Mice.

This study investigated the behavioral responses of male Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) mice to intravenous caffeine exposure via a functional observation battery (FOB) test. Thirty-two experimental mice were randomly assigned to four groups ( = 8 per group) and received intravenous caffeine at a dose of 0, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg. Functional behaviors were observed at 0, 0.

The Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Retroperitoneal Fluid Collection Drainage with Novel Electrocautery-Enhanced Lumen-Apposing Metal Stents (with Video).

Background/aims: Various lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) have been used for the endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage (EUS-TD) of postoperative pancreatic fluid collections (POPFC) and peripancreatic fluid collections (PFC). In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of novel electrocautery-enhanced LAMSs (Hot-Plumber with Z-EUS IT) with different inter-flange lengths (13 to 33 mm) for managing POPFC and PFC.

Methods: We reviewed the interventional EUS database of Asan Medical Center to identify consecutive patients with POPFC or PFC who underwent EUS-TD with the novel LAMSs between April 2023 and December 2023.

Predicting Major Preoperative Risk Factors for Retears After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Using Machine Learning Algorithms.

: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for retears after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) and to establish a hierarchy of their importance using machine learning. : This study analyzed 788 primary ARCR cases performed by a single senior surgeon from January 2016 to December 2022. The condition of the repaired supraspinatus was assessed via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or sonography within 2 years after surgery.

Comparisons of nursing hours and nurse-to-patient ratios required for patients with mechanical ventilation, CRRT, and ECMO in intensive care units: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To examine nurse staffing requirements in intensive care units (ICUs) for mechanical ventilation (MV), continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and their combinations, and analyze the effects of these procedures on staffing requirements across different types of ICU stay.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze data from patients discharged from adult ICUs at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea, between 2022 and 2023. Staffing requirements were evaluated using nursing hours per patient day (NHPPD) and nurse-to-patient ratios.

How important is the teres minor in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty combined with latissimus dorsi transfer?

Background: The utility of latissimus dorsi (LD) transfer combined with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty to restore external rotation (ER) strength is clinically well-established, but studies directly comparing LD and intact teres minor (TM) strength are lacking. Also, variations in eccentricity in the glenoid components have been under-estimated.

Methods: We used 8 fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders in this study.

A comparison of the outcomes of families with children aged less than 2 who received universal versus sustained nurse home visiting services in Korea: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare maternal outcomes and the home environment between non‑vulnerable families with children under 2 receiving universal home visiting services and vulnerable families receiving sustained home visiting services.

Methods: This study was conducted in Seoul, Korea, where the country's first nurse‑led early childhood home visiting program was introduced. A total of 551 mother‑child dyads participated in cross‑sectional surveys conducted at various child ages (6±2 weeks, 6±1 months, 12±1 months, and 24±1 months).

Pharmacological Evaluation of Respiratory Safety Following a Single Intravenous Administration of Theophylline in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Drinking tea is an important cultural and sensory activity in modern society. However, tea consumption may influence biological functions because of its high polyphenol and methylxanthine content. Theophylline is a methylxanthine that plays a significant role in respiratory physiology and is used clinically as a bronchodilator.

Comparison of Nurse Work Hours and Nursing Activities Between High- and Low-Staffed General Wards: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim: To compare nurse work hours and nursing activities between high-staffed and low-staffed general wards to examine the effects of increased staffing on nurse workload and nursing care.

Design: A secondary analysis was conducted using cross-sectional data collected at a tertiary teaching hospital in South Korea in January 2020.

Methods: Nursing activities provided by 350 nurses were observed every 10 min during their shifts for three observation days in four high- and four low-staffed wards.

Comparison of fully versus partially covered metal stents in endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy for malignant biliary obstruction (with video).

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) using a fully covered metal stent (FCMS) or partially covered metal stent (PCMS) is performed to manage unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) following unsuccessful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. This study aimed to compare FCMS and PCMS for EUS-HGS in patients with MBO.

Methods: We reviewed the EUS database to analyze consecutive patients with MBO who underwent EUS-HGS between November 2017 and March 2023.

Acute pancreatitis as an early sign of pancreatic cancer; a retrospective, matched cohort study.

Background And Aims: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) often presents as acute pancreatitis (AP). However, data on the clinical outcomes of PDAC initially presenting as AP are limited. We aimed to assess the clinical features of PDAC that manifest as AP.

Respiratory Responses to a Single Oral Dose of Caffeine in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Caffeine is a key component of beverages such as coffee and tea and has effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, prompting a variety of physiological changes. In our previous study, intravenously administered caffeine at high concentrations significantly influenced respiratory rates. However, comparative research on the potential adverse effects of caffeine consumption on the respiratory system is limited.

Impact of the Korea Early Childhood Home-visiting Intervention (KECHI) on child health and development and maternal health: a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Introduction: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of early childhood home-visiting interventions led by nurses have been conducted mainly in Western countries, whereas such trials have been limited in non-Western cultures, including Asia. In South Korea, a national nurse home visit programme (Korea Early Childhood Home-visiting Intervention (KECHI)) was developed in 2020 and launched throughout the country. We designed a pragmatic RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of KECHI on child health and development and maternal health.

Bursal Acromial Resurfacing Improves Shoulder Biomechanics in a Cadaveric Model of Massive Rotator Cuff Tear.

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of bursal acromial resurfacing (acromiograft) on acromiohumeral distance, subacromial contact area, and pressure in a cadaveric model of massive rotator cuff tear.

Methods: Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were tested using a customized shoulder testing system. Humeral head translation, subacromial contact pressure, and the subacromial contact area were evaluated across 4 conditions: (1) intact shoulder; (2) simulated massive rotator cuff tear, (3) 3-mm acromiograft condition, and (4) 6-mm acromiograft condition.

Clinical Outcomes of Secondary Duodenal Self-Expandable Metallic Stenting for Duodenal Stent Dysfunction in Patients with Malignant Duodenal Obstruction: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Background/aims: Malignant duodenal obstruction has become more common with the development of palliative therapies.The outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastrojejunostomy (EUS-GJ) are comparable to those of surgical gastrojejunostomy or duodenal stenting. However, EUS-GJ is technically challenging.

Trajectories of nursing hours over the course of hospitalization and estimated additional nurse staffing requirements to reduce the length of stay.

Purpose: The aims of this study are to examine the trajectories of nursing hours per patient day (NHPPD) over the course of hospitalization according to the patient's length of stay (LOS) and to estimate changes in the total nursing hours during hospitalization, average NHPPD, and the number of nurses additionally required when the LOS was reduced by 1 day.

Design: This retrospective longitudinal study analyzed patient data collected from a tertiary university hospital located in Seoul, South Korea. The study sample included 11,316 inpatients who were discharged between September 1 and October 31, 2022.

Long-term outcomes of fully covered self-expandable metal stents for refractory biliary strictures after living donor liver transplantation: a retrospective study at a tertiary center.

Background And Aims: Endoscopic multiple plastic stents are an established first-line treatment for anastomotic biliary stricture (ABS) management after liver transplantation (LT). Fully covered self-expandable metallic stents (FCSEMSs) have recently been used with favorable outcomes, but long-term treatment outcomes remain an issue for ABS. We evaluated the long-term outcomes of FCSEMS for the management of refractory ABS after LT.