Study protocol for a prospective, randomized controlled confirmatory clinical investigation to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a multidisciplinary digital therapeutics in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Background: Patellofemoral pain is a prevalent knee condition affecting up to 40% of individuals, especially females aged teens to 50 s. Standard treatments, including exercise therapy, often yield insufficient long-term results, partly due to low compliance and psychological factors like depression and catastrophizing of pain. A digital therapeutics "MORA Cure PFP," which combines structured progressive exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy via an app, offers a solution to overcome the limitations of conventional treatment for patellofemoral pain patients.

Comparative microbiome analysis of contracted breast capsules: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Despite the implication of bacterial biofilms in the etiology of capsular contracture, there is limited research on the microbial structure of the contracted capsule. Moreover, the potential role of the skin microbiome in capsular contracture remains undefined. Therefore, we conducted this study to characterize the microbiome of the breast capsular contracture by comparing it with the microbiome of biopsy without capsular contracture.

Impacts of Tricuspid Regurgitation and Concomitant Tricuspid Surgery in Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Recent studies on the effects of preoperative tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity and concomitant tricuspid valve (TV) surgery in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) have yielded conflicting results, complicating the decision making on concomitant TV surgery in AVR.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of preoperative TR severity on outcomes of AVR and to assess the impact of concomitant TV surgery.

Methods: Patients who underwent AVR from 2000 to 2022 were included.

2514 Cases of Thoracoabdominal and Descending Thoracic Aorta Surgery: Strategies Associated With Improved Survival, Stroke, and Paraplegia.

Background: Despite the remarkable outcome of open thoracoabdominal aortic repairs of high-volume aortic centers, generalized results that span diverse clinical settings are needed in the era of thoracic endovascular aortic repair. This study explored national real-world data focusing on the impact of cumulative surgical volume on the operative outcomes.

Methods: Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service claims database were used to create a cohort that included adult patients who underwent open thoracoabdominal or descending thoracic aortic aneurysm repairs from 2008 to 2020.

Contact ion-pair S2 reactions activated by Lewis Base Phase transfer catalysts.

We present experimental probes of contact ion-pair (CIP) S2 reactions for simplest prototype systems by F-NMR spectroscopy. This study provides crucial evidences for the reactions of CIP metal salts facilitated by Lewis base phase transfer catalysts (PTCs) [2,2,2]-cryptand, 18-crown-6, pentaethylene glycols (pentaEGs) and BINOL-based pentaEG. The F-NMR spectra of MF (M = K, Cs) ion-pairs in various solvents are used as fingerprinting tools to identify the CIP CsF/PTC/substrate complexes in S2 reactions.

Multidisciplinary Digital Therapeutics for Chronic Low Back Pain Versus In-Person Therapeutic Exercise with Education: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is a global health issue leading to significant disability and socioeconomic burden. Traditional treatments, including exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are often limited by physical and temporal constraints. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of multidisciplinary digital therapeutics (MORA Cure LBP) compared to conventional treatments.

Stronger binding affinities of in provide insights into HIV/host interactions.

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) exploits the viral protein and host / receptors for the pandemic infection to humans. The host co-receptors of not only humans but also several primates and HIV-model mice can interact with the HIV receptor. However, the molecular mechanisms of these interactions remain unclear.

Subxiphoid Single-Port Robotic Thymectomy Using the Single-Port Robotic System versus VATS: A Multi-Institutional, Retrospective, and Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Subxiphoid thymectomy is a novel alternative to the transthoracic approach and sternotomy, with potential benefits, such as reduced postoperative pain and faster recovery. We previously reported the initial experience with subxiphoid single-port robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (SRATS) thymectomy using the single-port robotic system (SPS). However, the efficacy of this technique remains unknown.

Robotic thoracic surgery using the single-port robotic system: Initial experience with more than 100 cases.

Objective: This study aimed to report the initial experiences of 115 patients who underwent robotic thoracic surgery using the da Vinci single-port robotic surgical system (Intuitive Surgical).

Methods: Robotic thoracic surgery using the da Vinci single-port robotic surgical system was performed on 115 patients between November 2020 and June 2023. Patient characteristics, intraoperative outcomes, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.

Indications for Furlow Double-Opposing Z-Plasty in Patients with Velopharyngeal Insufficiency following 2-Flap Palatoplasty.

Background: Various surgical methods have been developed for treating velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI); however, the choice of surgical treatment is controversial. The pharyngeal flap, which is commonly used, has a high success rate but frequently leads to airway complications. Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty (DOZ) does not deform the velopharyngeal port; therefore, it is expected to show good speech outcomes while reducing airway complications if an appropriate indication is noted.

Sub-30 nm 2D Perovskites Patterns via Block Copolymer Guided Self-Assembly for Color Conversion Optical Polarizer.

Despite the remarkable advances made in the development of 2D perovskites suitable for various high-performance devices, the development of sub-30 nm nanopatterns of 2D perovskites with anisotropic photoelectronic properties remains challenging. Herein, a simple but robust route for fabricating sub-30 nm 1D nanopatterns of 2D perovskites over a large area is presented. This method is based on nanoimprinting a thin precursor film of a 2D perovskite with a topographically pre-patterned hard poly(dimethylsiloxane) mold replicated from a block copolymer nanopattern consisting of guided self-assembled monolayered in-plane cylinders.

Crystal structure of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazine derivatives as BRD4 bromodomain inhibitors and structure-activity relationship study.

BRD4 contains two tandem bromodomains (BD1 and BD2) that recognize acetylated lysine for epigenetic reading, and these bromodomains are promising therapeutic targets for treating various diseases, including cancers. BRD4 is a well-studied target, and many chemical scaffolds for inhibitors have been developed. Research on the development of BRD4 inhibitors against various diseases is actively being conducted.

Interactive structural color displays of nano-architectonic 1-dimensional block copolymer photonic crystals: FOCUS ISSUE REVIEW.

For changing environmental circumstances, interactive structural color (SC) observation is a promising strategy to store and express external information. SCs based on self-assembled block copolymer (BCP) photonic crystals have been a research focus due to their facile and diverse nanostructures relying on the volume ratio of blocks. Their unique nano-architectonics can reflect incident light due to constructive interference of the two different dielectric constituents.

Effectiveness of immediate fixation after cranial distraction osteogenesis.

Background: Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is an established safe and effective treatment of craniosynostosis (CS) deformities. However, conventional methods demonstrate some complications, such as long-term maintenance of the distractor and relapse after distractor removal. Only a few studies have overcome these limitations.

Biomechanical Comparison and Three-Dimensional Analysis of Cement Distribution Patterns for Different Pedicle Screw Designs.

The purpose of this study to explore strategies for reducing cement leakage during cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation, we compared the cement distribution patterns and biomechanical strengths of different types of cement-augmented fenestrated screws and traditional cement-augmented techniques. We compared five screw groups in this study: (1) Cannulated screws (Cann); (2) distal one-hole screws (D1); (3) distal two-hole screws (D2); (4) middle two-hole screws (M2); and (5) traditional screws with a traditional cement injection technique (Trad). The screws were inserted into cancellous bone blocks using a controlled, adequate cement injection pressure (1.

Discovery of BET specific bromodomain inhibitors with a novel scaffold.

Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins have been considered as potent candidates for anti-cancer drug development. As epigenetic readers, they modulate gene expression by recognizing acetylated lysine residues on histones. Therefore, the pharmacological inhibition of BET proteins has been extensively studied.

Soft Human-Machine Interface Sensing Displays: Materials and Devices.

The development of human-interactive sensing displays (HISDs) that simultaneously detect and visualize stimuli is important for numerous cutting-edge human-machine interface technologies. Therefore, innovative device platforms with optimized architectures of HISDs combined with novel high-performance sensing and display materials are demonstrated. This study comprehensively reviews the recent advances in HISDs, particularly the device architectures that enable scaling-down and simplifying the HISD, as well as material designs capable of directly visualizing input information received by various sensors.

Correction of Severe Secondary Cleft Lip Nasal Deformity.

Background: The lower lateral cartilages (LLCs) are key elements for alar and tip support. Repositioning of both LLCs is an effective procedure for correcting a laterally spreading dome of LLCs and drooping nasal tip in cleft lip nasal deformity (CLND). The alar contour graft has become an essential component of rhinoplasty for correcting the concave or collapsed and retracted alar.

Boomerang latissimus dorsi flap in total breast reconstruction: report of three cases.

The latissimus dorsi (LD) flap is one of the most useful techniques for autologous breast reconstruction, especially in Asians. However, for reconstruction of moderate to large volume breasts, it is difficult to achieve the desirable volume and projection with the classic extended LD flap. Although there is the option of concurrent application of an LD flap and a small silicone implant, this may lead to larger volume than desired; furthermore, an increasing number of patients prefer reconstruction with autologous tissue alone.

The prevalence, risk of premature births, mortality and causes of death of cleft lip with or without palate in South Korea: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: Very few recent nationwide studies have assessed the epidemiology of cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P). The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence, risk of premature births, mortality and cause of death of CL/P.

Methods: This nationwide population-based cohort study evaluated all 5 747 830 live births in South Korea, including CL/P infants, from 2006 to 2018.

Wall shear stress on vascular smooth muscle cells exerts angiogenic effects on extracranial arteriovenous malformations.

Background: In addition to vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are subject to continuous shear stress because of blood circulation. The angiogenic properties of VSMCs in extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) may exceed those of normal blood vessels if the body responds more sensitively to mechanical stimuli. This study was performed to investigate the hypothesis that rapid angiogenesis may be achieved by mechanical shear stress.

Eupatilin Suppresses Pancreatic Cancer Cells Glucose Uptake Inhibition, AMPK Activation, and Cell Cycle Arrest.

Background/aim: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most devastating malignancies worldwide. Because of the disappointing outcome of traditional treatment, new drug candidates are being investigated. This study analysed the effect of eupatilin on pancreatic cancer cells.

A nationwide cohort study on growth impairment by cleft lip with or without palate.

There are very few nationwide studies discussing the height, weight, head circumference, and dental screening of children with cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P), with most reports on this subject based on a 1900s cohort. This study aimed to characterize CL/P children in the 2000s in terms of height, weight, head circumference, and dental screening. This nationwide population-based study evaluated the National Health Insurance Service-Infants and Children's Health Screening (NHIS-INCHS), specifically the height, weight, and head circumference of millions of children.