High-sensitivity terahertz spectroscopy for enhanced resonance detection of microscopic and sub-milligram quantities of lactose powder.

In this study, we investigate the terahertz (THz) characteristics of α-lactose monohydrate powder using a tapered parallel-plate waveguide (TPPWG) technique, which facilitates the analysis of microscopic and sub-milligram quantities. Our results show that the TPPWG method not only minimizes the required sample quantity but also enhances the THz wave interaction with the powder sample, which ensures strong resonance features even with minimal material. The TPPWG technique measured higher-quality resonances using only 0.

Moderate-Intensity Atorvastatin and Ezetimibe Combination Therapy Versus High-Intensity Atorvastatin in Patients with Angina Pectoris who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Whether moderate-intensity statin and ezetimibe combination therapy is beneficial compared to high-intensity statin monotherapy in patients with angina pectoris who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effect of moderate-intensity atorvastatin with ezetimibe combination therapy after PCI in patients with angina pectoris, but not myocardial infarction (MI), in real-world practice.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Database.

Anatomical Snuffbox Versus Dorsum of the Hand for Optimal Access Site in Distal Radial Access: Insight From the KODRA Registry.

Background And Objectives: Distal radial access (DRA) has been recognized as an alternative to conventional radial access, with potential puncture sites at the anatomical snuffbox and on the dorsum of the hand. However, the optimal puncture site remains unknown. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DRA at these two sites.

Sleep as the Hidden Cost of mWork: Unpacking the Roles of Job Stress, Gender, and Number of Children.

The widespread adoption of mobile work, driven by advancements in information and communication technology, has increasingly blurred the boundaries between work and personal life. This phenomenon can increase job stress, potentially leading to sleep deprivation, which affects not only employees' health and well-being but also organizational performance. Grounded in Conservation of Resources theory, this study examines the pathway through which mWork contributes to sleep deprivation, focusing on the mediating role of job stress, and investigates the moderating effects of gender and number of children on this relationship.

Delayed Cardiac Perforation Caused by Pacemaker Lead Dislodgement During Chiropractic Therapy.

Background: Cardiac perforation caused by pacemaker lead dislodgement is a rare but potentially fatal complication. Although early dislodgement is a common cause in such cases, external mechanical forces can also cause delayed perforation.

Case Summary: An 83-year-old man with a pacemaker presented with dyspnea and syncope.

Distal radial access in elderly patients aged 70 years and older for coronary procedures: Lessons from the KODRA registry.

Background: While distal radial access (DRA) is increasingly adopted for coronary procedures, evidence supporting its use in elderly patients remains limited. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of DRA in elderly patients using data from the KODRA registry.

Methods: A total of 4941 patients were divided into elderly (≥70 years; n = 2091) and non-elderly (<70 years; n = 2850) groups.

A Rare Case of Infective Endocarditis Caused by Atrioesophageal Fistula After Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation.

We report a case of infective endocarditis caused by an atrioesophageal fistula. A 43-year-old man who had undergone radiofrequency ablation 4 weeks earlier was admitted with transient right-side weakness. His condition worsened as he developed fever, motor weakness, and seizures.

Extent of Resection and Role of Adjuvant Radiotherapy in Olfactory Neuroblastoma Without Definite Radiologic Evidence of Dural Invasion.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of the extent of resection and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) on treatment outcomes in patients with early-stage olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) without definite dural invasion.

Methods: A retrospective review of ONB cases from two centers within a single institution between 1992 and 2023 was performed. Clinicopathologic data included tumor stage, grade, treatment modalities, margin status, follow-up time, and survival.

Roadmap analysis for coronary artery stenosis detection and percutaneous coronary intervention prediction in cardiac CT for transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: The new artificial intelligence-based software, Roadmap (HeartFlow), may assist in evaluating coronary artery stenosis during cardiac computed tomography (CT) for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods: Consecutive TAVR candidates who underwent both cardiac CT angiography (CTA) and invasive coronary angiography were enrolled. We evaluated the ability of three methods to predict obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), defined as ≥50 ​% stenosis on quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), and the need for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within one year: Roadmap, clinician CT specialists with Roadmap, and CT specialists alone.

Discrepancies between subjective and objective olfactory outcomes after FESS in CRSwNP: Predictive factors and clinical implications.

Objective: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) frequently leads to olfactory dysfunction, prompting patients to seek functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for improvement. However, predicting postoperative outcomes is challenging due to variability in improvement rates and discrepancies between subjective self-assessments and objective olfactory tests. This study aimed to identify preoperative clinical factors associated with discrepancies between subjective and objective postoperative olfactory outcomes, enabling better patient counseling and result prediction.

Prognostic value of plaque burden assessed by coronary CT angiography in known coronary artery disease.

Background: We aimed to investigate in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) whether plaque burden assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) can predict subsequent all-cause mortality (ACM).

Methods: Consecutive patients with known CAD who underwent CCTA and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scans for CAD evaluation were enrolled. Known CAD was defined as history of myocardial infarction (MI) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Real-Time Snoring Detection Using Deep Learning: A Home-Based Smartphone Approach for Sleep Monitoring.

Background: Despite the prevalence of sleep-related disorders, few studies have developed deep learning models to predict snoring using home-recorded smartphone audio. This study proposes a real-time snoring detection method utilizing a Vision Transformer-based deep learning model and smartphone recordings.

Methods: Participants' sleep-breathing sounds were recorded using smartphones, with concurrent Level I or II polysomnography (PSG) conducted in home or hospital settings.

Fractional flow reserve- and intravascular ultrasound-guided strategies for intermediate coronary stenosis and low lesion complexity in patients with or without diabetes: a post hoc analysis of the randomised FLAVOUR trial.

Background: A recent randomised trial demonstrated fractional flow reserve (FFR) guidance for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was non-inferior to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance regarding clinical outcomes, with a lower frequency of PCI.

Aims: We sought to evaluate the prognosis of FFR versus IVUS guidance for PCI of intermediate coronary artery stenosis and low lesion complexity in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Methods: This study is a prespecified post hoc analysis from the FLAVOUR trial.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Amiodarone-Induced Thyroid Dysfunction: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Amiodarone is an effective anti-arrhythmic drug; however, it is frequently associated with thyroid dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factor of amiodarone-induced dysfunction in an iodine-sufficient area.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 27,023 consecutive patients treated with amiodarone for arrhythmia, using the Korean National Health Insurance database.

EBP1 potentiates amyloid β pathology by regulating γ-secretase.

The abnormal deposition of amyloid β (Aβ), produced by proteolytic cleavage events of amyloid precursor protein involving the protease γ-secretase and subsequent polymerization into amyloid plaques, plays a key role in the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we show that ErbB3 binding protein 1 (EBP1)/proliferation-associated 2G4 (PA2G4) interacts with presenilin, a catalytic subunit of γ-secretase, inhibiting Aβ production. Mice lacking forebrain Ebp1/Pa2g4 recapitulate the representative phenotypes of late-onset sporadic AD, displaying an age-dependent increase in Aβ deposition, amyloid plaques and cognitive dysfunction.

Predisposing Risk Factors Affecting Reversibility of Left Ventricular Diastolic Filling Pattern in Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Purpose: Improvement of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) is known to be a good prognostic factor in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF). In the present study, we investigated the predisposing risk factors affecting the reversibility of LV diastolic filling pattern (DFP) in patients with preserved EF.

Materials And Methods: A total of 600 patients with pseudonormal LVDFP and preserved EF who underwent follow-up echocardiography were enrolled between 2011 and 2020.

Exploring the potential of laser-textured metal alloys: Fine-tuning vascular cells responses through and analysis.

Medical stents are vital for treating vascular complications and restoring blood flow in millions of patients. Despite its widespread effectiveness, restenosis, driven by the complex interplay of cellular responses, remains a concern. This study investigated the reactions of vascular cells to nano/microscale wrinkle (nano-W and micro-W) patterns created on laser-textured nitinol (NiTi) surfaces by adjusting laser processing parameters, such as spot overlap ratio and line overlap ratio.

Chitinase 1: a novel therapeutic target in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is characterized by persistent inflammatory cascades, with macrophage activation playing a pivotal role. Chitinase 1 (CHIT1), produced by activated macrophages, is a key player in this cascade. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of CHIT1 in MASH with progressive liver fibrosis.

Role of induction chemotherapy in advanced-stage olfactory neuroblastoma.

Objectives: To evaluate the treatment outcomes in patients with advanced-stage olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) who received induction chemotherapy (IC).

Materials And Methods: The clinical data of 38 patients with advanced-stage ONB who received initial IC were retrospectively analyzed. The response was defined using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.

The Search for an Ideal Definitive Treatment of Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Orbit Invasion.

Objectives: Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) often invades the orbit. The treatment approach for sinonasal cancer that has spread to the orbit varies across medical centers and depends on the extent of the invasion. The decision to preserve the orbit in the treatment strategy is made on a case-by-case basis and.