Forest soil properties regulate arsenic mobility and life stage-specific ecotoxicity in Collembola: Implications for early-stage contamination risk.

Arsenic (As) contamination from abandoned gold mines threatens adjacent ecosystems through leaching and erosion. This study investigated how soil physicochemical properties regulate As binding forms upon initial contamination and associated ecotoxicological effects on soil invertebrates. Forest soils (0-10 cm depth) were collected from four mountainous sites across Korea with varying physicochemical properties.

Site-specific assessment of illicit drug consumption patterns in South Korea via wastewater-based epidemiology.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is increasingly used as a complementary tool for monitoring drug use at the population level, providing anonymized, real-time estimates of community drug consumption. Site-specific applications of WBE can identify localized patterns that national or municipal surveys may overlook. This study presents the first comprehensive, site-specific assessment of illicit drug use in South Korea using WBE.

Design of cathepsin-sensitive linkers for tumor-selective bioconjugate drug delivery.

Cysteine cathepsin, particularly cathepsin B, have emerged as pivotal enzymatic targets in the design of drug delivery systems owing to their overexpression in diverse pathological conditions, most notably cancer. This review provides a comprehensive overview of cathepsin B-cleavable linkers, emphasizing their role in current bioconjugate design and their application across multiple therapeutic platforms. It also provides a comparative overview of linker engineering guided by cathepsin B, ranging from simple dipeptides constructs to modified peptide linkers.

Structures of W77F/W212F and W77F/W212F Toxascaris leonine galectin complex with glucose.

Galectins are glycan-binding proteins (GBPs) characterized by conserved carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs). Galectin-9, which contains two CRDs, regulates immune responses through interactions with glycoproteins. However, the full-length structure of galectin-9 remains unresolved.

Unusual Ferromagnetic Band Evolution and High Curie Temperature in Monolayer 1T-CrTe on Bilayer Graphene.

2D van der Waals ferromagnets hold immense promise for spintronic applications due to their controllability and versatility. Despite their significance, the realization and in-depth characterization of ferromagnetic materials in atomically thin single layers, close to the true 2D limit, has been scarce. Here, a successful synthesis of monolayer (ML) 1T-CrTe is reported on a bilayer graphene (BLG) substrate via molecular beam epitaxy.

Prognostic Value of A/T/N Biomarkers: Comparing Plasma and Imaging Modalities in Alzheimer Disease.

Background: Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β plaques (A), tau tangles (T), and neurodegeneration (N), collectively defining the ATN framework. While imaging biomarkers are well-established, the prognostic value of plasma biomarkers in predicting cognitive decline remains underexplored. This study compares plasma and imaging A/T/N biomarkers in predicting cognitive decline and evaluate the impact of combining biomarkers across modalities.

Comparison of second-line chemotherapy regimens in advanced biliary tract cancer: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and population-based cohort study.

Background: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are aggressive malignancies with limited treatment options, especially after first-line chemotherapy failure. FOLFIRINOX, though established for pancreatic cancer, has shown promise in advanced BTC, yet its role as a second-line treatment remains unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FOLFIRINOX and performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to compare its outcomes with currently recommended regimens, including FOLFIRI, FOLFOX, and nal-IRI/FL.

The moderating role of walking in the association between HDL cholesterol and cognitive function among Korean older adults: a nationwide population-based cross-sectional study.

Background: The biopsychosocial model of dementia emphasizes an integrative approach that takes into account the joint effects of biological and behavioral processes relevant to cognitive function. Based on this model, this study examined the interactive effects of biological (i.e.

Laboratory approaches in desensitization for ABO-incompatible transplantation.

ABO-incompatible transplantation, once considered contraindicated due to the risk of hyperacute rejection, has become a viable option owing to advances in immunosuppression and desensitization methods. Accurate measurement and effective reduction of anti-ABO isoagglutinin titers are essential for the success of ABO-incompatible transplantation. This review summarizes the principles of hemagglutination and the measurement of isoagglutinin titers, highlighting variables that influence agglutination sensitivity.

High Detectivity and Low-Dark Current in Organic Photodetectors by a High-Content Nonfullerene Acceptor-Based Bulk Heterojunction with a Polymer Overlayer.

To achieve high detectivity in organic photodetectors, the suppression of the dark current density and the improvement of responsivity are necessary at the same time. In this work, we introduce a polymer donor overlayer on top of the high-acceptor-content bulk heterojunction film to minimize the randomness of charge pathways in the mixed phase of donor/acceptor blends. This design strategy of the active layer successfully suppresses the dark current density to 2.

Prescription Trends of Initial Pharmacotherapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Among Treatment-Naïve Patients in South Korea: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological condition in aging men that causes lower urinary tract symptoms. Pharmacotherapy is central to BPH management; however, considering updated guidelines, recent prescription trends remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to assess initial pharmacotherapy trends in patients newly diagnosed with BPH.

Quality Matters: Effect of High-Quality Early Palliative Care in Advanced Cancer.

Context: Early palliative care (EPC) is an integral treatment for advanced cancer patients, improving quality of life and symptom management, but the impact of its quality on outcomes is less understood.

Objectives: This study aimed to quantify the quality of EPC and analyze its longitudinal association with depression levels, quality of life (QoL), patient survival, and self-management strategies in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: This secondary analysis included 144 advanced cancer patients from a randomized controlled trial in South Korea.

Recommendation for use of a long-acting monoclonal antibody to prevent respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants and young children.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in infants and young children. In April 2024, the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved nirsevimab (Beyfortus), a long-acting monoclonal antibody, as a passive immunization to prevent RSV-associated LRTI among infants and young children. Nirsevimab was launched in Korea in February 2025.

Deep learning-based detection of ascending aortic dilatation on chest radiographs: A diagnostic study.

Objectives: This study externally tests the performance of an artificial intelligence algorithm (AI) for diagnosing ascending aortic dilatation (AAD) using PA view chest radiography (PA CXR).

Materials And Methods: Two retrospectively collected cohorts with paired CXR/CT within 30 days (Group 1) and 90 days (Group 2) were gathered as external test sets. The performance of AI (DeepCatch X Aorta v1.

Environmental impact analysis for manufacturing 200 kW SOFC and PAFC systems via life cycle assessment.

The fuel cells of the future for sustainable development are solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) and phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFCs), and they will have to coexist as future energy sources. This requires a proper understanding of the properties of the materials used in both fuel cell systems and the ability to identify and mitigate the challenges associated with materials that have a high environmental impact. In this study, all materials and processes involved in the manufacturing of 200 kW SOFC and PAFC systems for power generation are divided into stack, balance of plant (BOP) and system assembling components, and a cradle-to-gate environmental impact assessment is conducted to assess the life cycle process from raw materials extraction to final system manufacturing.

Contrasting seasonal variability of net community production between the Southern Yellow Sea and the Northern East China Sea during spring and summer.

The Yellow Sea (YS) and the East China Sea (ECS), which comprise continental shelves with depths of 200 m or less, are recognized as some of the most productive coastal areas globally. Although this high productivity can contribute to carbon sequestration, the spatiotemporal variability of the biological pump remains unclear. To investigate this variability, net community production (NCP) in August 2020 was estimated based on high-resolution O/Ar measurements.

Impact of obesity on palpation-guided distal radial access for coronary procedures: subgroup analysis of the multicenter, prospective KODRA registry.

Background: There is limited data on the impact of body mass index (BMI) on distal radial access (DRA). Using a large-scale prospective registry, the influence of obesity on DRA outcomes was evaluated, including cannulation and complications.

Methods: Using data from the prospective, multicenter KODRA (Korean Prospective Registry for Evaluation the Safety and Efficacy of Distal Radial Approach) registry data, 4,638 patients who planned palpation-guided distal radial artery puncture were enrolled into two groups, both with body mass index (BMI) information available: obese (n = 2,205; BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) and non-obese (n = 2,433).

Development of a prediction tool for kidney function decline in children with chronic kidney disease.

Background: A paucity of literature exists on the development of predictive tools for the decline of kidney function in pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD). The objective of this study is to develop and internally validate a tool for the short-term prediction of a kidney function decline in pediatric patients with CKD.

Methods: A total of 539 patients participating in the KNOW-PedCKD (KoreaN cohort study for Outcomes in patients With Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease) were evaluated for 48 variables related to sociodemographic characteristics, laboratory data, and treatment use.

Characteristics and management of mechanically ventilated patients in South Korea compared with other high-income Asian countries and regions.

Background: This study investigated the characteristics of mechanically ventilated patients in South Korean intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: We conducted a subgroup analysis of a multinational observational study. Data from 271 mechanically ventilated patients in South Korean ICUs were analyzed for demographics, ventilation practices, and mortality, and were compared with those of 327 patients from other high-income Asian countries.

Role of the Right Ventricle Overhaul Procedure in Comprehensive Management for Pulmonary Atresia With Intact Ventricular Septum - A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Study.

Background: We evaluated the surgical outcomes of modified right ventricle (RV) overhaul (mRVOh), implemented as part of comprehensive management for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS).

Methods And Results: Twenty-five mRVOh procedures were performed in 23 patients with PA-IVS without RV-dependent coronary circulation. The procedure involved RV sinus myectomy, infundibular muscle resection, and tricuspid valve (TV) and pulmonary valve (PV) repair.

A field-deployable lateral flow assay for rapid and sensitive detection of nanoplastics.

Plastic pollution has emerged as a global concern, with nanoplastics posing a distinct threat due to their small size, high mobility, and persistence. However, conventional nanoplastic detection techniques often rely on sophisticated instruments and extensive preprocessing, limiting their on-site applicability. This study aimed to develop a rapid and portable lateral flow assay (LFA) for on-site detection of nanoplastics smaller than 200 nm in environmental water samples.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Serological Tests for Infections in Children with Pneumonia, Based on Symptom Onset.

Background: is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children, with a rising incidence of macrolide resistance. Early diagnosis is crucial for reducing the disease burden; however, current diagnostic tools have limitations. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of serological assays and their performance based on symptom onset in children with CAP.

Impact of the 2024 medical-policy conflict on hepatocellular carcinoma management in Korea.

In 2024, a nationwide conflict between the South Korean government and the medical community, the medical-policy conflict, profoundly impacted healthcare delivery. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following this crisis. We analyzed retrospective real-world data from university hospitals in the Seoul metropolitan area, supplemented with national healthcare data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.