Search Results (111)

Background/Objectives: Stratifying post-cardiac arrest survivors based on the likelihood of good neurologic outcomes can guide the decision for targeted temperature management (TTM). This study aimed to compare the impact of TTM on neurological improvement among comatose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors stratified by the revised post-cardiac arrest syndrome for therapeutic hypothermia (rCAST) score. Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study was conducted from February 2018 to April 2023 at the emergency department. We calculated the rCAST score immediately after the return of spontaneous circulation in adult patients and compared neurological outcomes at discharge for TTM based on the severity classification of the rCAST score (low: ≤5.5; moderate: 6.0–14.0; high: ≥14.5). We utilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis to adjust for selection bias and potential confounding factors between the TTM and non-TTM groups. Results: Among 300 comatose OHCA survivors, the proportions of patients with good neurological outcomes at discharge were 60.7% (17/28), 38.9% (56/144), and 2.3% (3/128) in the low, moderate, and high-severity rCAST groups, respectively. With increasing severity of the rCAST, the absolute difference in the proportion of patients with good neurological outcomes decreased between those who underwent TTM and those who did not (68.0% vs. 0.0%; p = 0.023, 45.2% vs. 27.5%; p = 0.037, and 3.5% vs. 0.0%; p = 0.221, respectively). After adjusting using IPTW, TTM was associated with good neurologic outcomes in the moderate-severity group (odds ratio, 2.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–4.91; p = 0.029). Conclusions: This study suggests that TTM may offer specific benefits for certain groups of OHCA survivors. Further research is needed to refine risk stratification tools for improved patient selection. Full article

This paper presents a high-gain multi-input low-noise amplifier (LNA) design aimed at achieving stable phase and minimal noise within a flexible gain range for modern wireless communication systems. The proposed LNA, designed using a CASCODE architecture and implemented in a 65 nm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) process, demonstrates significant improvements in isolation, noise reduction, and miniaturization. The SOI process reduces parasitic capacitance, enhancing performance and thermal/electrical isolation, critical for high-frequency applications. The CASCODE structure minimizes unwanted coupling between stages, enhancing signal integrity and maintaining stable operation across multiple gain modes. The LNA operates in the 2.3 GHz to 2.69 GHz frequency band and supports seven gain modes. It achieves a maximum gain of 21.45 dB with a noise figure of 1.03 dB at the highest gain mode. Notably, it maintains phase stability within 16.4 degrees across the entire gain range, ensuring consistent phase alignment, which is crucial for applications requiring precise signal alignment. The design eliminates the need for switching mechanisms typically used in conventional LNAs, which often introduce additional noise. This work demonstrates that the CASCODE-based multi-input LNA, implemented in a 65 nm SOI process, successfully meets the rigorous demands of high-frequency communication systems, achieving an optimal balance between gain flexibility, noise reduction, and stable phase control within a 32 dB gain range. Full article

The fruit of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (HD) is renowned for its medicinal properties and is rich in bioactive compounds, traditionally used in East Asian medicine as a natural antidote for alcohol intoxication. A randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo (PLA)-controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare the effects of beverages containing 0.475% HD (HDB), HD combined with 0.1% Pueraria lobata extract (HDPB), and HD combined with 0.02% glutathione yeast extract (HDGB) with the PLA on the symptoms of a hangover. Subjects (n = 30) were randomized into six test groups consuming three beverages, including the PLA. After ingestion, blood alcohol and blood acetaldehyde concentrations were measured at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 15 h post-alcohol consumption. No significant differences in hematology tests and vital signs were observed amongst the treatment groups; however, at 0.5 and 6 h, the blood alcohol concentrations of the HDB and HDPB groups were significantly lower compared to the PLA group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the blood acetaldehyde concentrations in the HDPB group showed significantly lower values than the PLA after 6 h (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that HD may aid in alcohol detoxification and limit acetaldehyde accumulation. This indicates the potential for HD as a functional food ingredient for alleviating hangover symptoms. Full article

Alcohol consumption is associated with both short- and long-term adverse effects, including hangover symptoms. The objective of this study was to examine the potential benefits of traditional beverages containing a combination of Hovenia dulcis extract (HD) with either Pueraria lobata extract (HDPB) or glutathione yeast extract (HDGB) in abbreviating alcohol intoxication and mitigating hangover symptoms. A total of 25 participants between the ages of 19 and 40 who had previously experienced a hangover were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo (PLA)-controlled clinical trial. Results showed that lower blood alcohol concentrations in the HDPB and HDGB groups were significantly lower than in the PLA group at 0.25 and 0.5 h, suggesting that HD aids in early alcohol metabolism (0 h, p < 0.05). Analysis of the hourly Acute Hangover Scale (AHS) showed that all treatment groups had significantly reduced gastrointestinal disorder symptoms compared to the PLA group (p < 0.05). It can be confirmed that hangover symptoms can be significantly improved by consuming HD combination drinks, apart from the effect of reducing blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations. Therefore, it is predicted that the consumption of natural phytochemicals added to HD is safe for humans and may help accelerate recovery from hangover symptoms. Full article

Tick-borne diseases are a public health problem and a significant burden on the livestock industry. The seasonal abundance of ticks and tick-borne pathogens strongly correlates with the prevalence of these diseases. To investigate the seasonal variation in ticks and tick-borne pathogens, ticks were collected from Gangwon State, Korea, and the tick-borne pathogens Borrelia, Anaplasma, Babesia, and Theileria were examined. In total, 14,748 ticks were collected, comprising ticks from two genera and three species: Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis flava, and Ixodes nipponensis, with H. longicornis being the predominant species. Of 7445 ticks (455 pools) examined for pathogens, Theileria was detected in 61 pools, whereas Borrelia and Anaplasma were observed in 17 pools. H. longicornis nymphs and adults were collected beginning in April, with nymph numbers peaking in May and June and adult ticks peaking in June and July. In contrast, the larvae were collected in May and peaked in September. Tick-borne pathogens were detected in April, peaking in July and September. Borrelia, the causative agent of Lyme disease, exhibits a temporal association between its detection in ticks and its occurrence in humans. In conclusion, tick-borne diseases seem to be closely linked not only to changes in tick numbers throughout the seasons but also to the seasonal variations of the pathogens within them. Full article

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, requiring strategic efforts to reduce its mortality. This study aimed to develop a predictive classification model for breast cancer mortality using real-world data, including various clinical features. Methods: A total of 11,286 patients with breast cancer from the National Cancer Center were included in this study. The mortality rate of the total sample was approximately 6.2%. Propensity score matching was used to reduce bias. Several machine learning models, including extreme gradient boosting, were applied to 31 clinical features. To enhance model interpretability, we used the SHapley Additive exPlanations method. ML analyses were also performed on the samples, excluding patients who developed other cancers after breast cancer. Results: Among the ML models, the XGB model exhibited the highest discriminatory power, with an area under the curve of 0.8722 and a specificity of 0.9472. Key predictors of the mortality classification model included occurrence in other organs, age at diagnosis, N stage, T stage, curative radiation treatment, and Ki-67(%). Even after excluding patients who developed other cancers after breast cancer, the XGB model remained the best-performing, with an AUC of 0.8518 and a specificity of 0.9766. Additionally, the top predictors from SHAP were similar to the results for the overall sample. Conclusions: Our models provided excellent predictions of breast cancer mortality using real-world data from South Korea. Explainable artificial intelligence, such as SHAP, validated the clinical applicability and interpretability of these models. Full article

Natural products with high antioxidant activity are considered as innovative prevention strategies to effectively prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the early stage because the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to the development of drusen is reported as an important cause of this disease. To investigate the prevention effects of the methanol extracts of Euphorbia heterophylla L. (MEE) on AMD, its effects on the antioxidant activity, inflammatory response, apoptosis pathway, neovascularization, and retinal tissue degeneration were analyzed in N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E)-landed spontaneously arising retinal pigment epithelia (ARPE)-19 cells and BALB/c mice after exposure to blue light (BL). The MEE contained 10 active components and showed high free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and nitric oxide (NO) radicals. The pretreatments of high-dose MEE remarkably suppressed the production of intracellular ROS (88.2%) and NO (25.2%) and enhanced (SOD) activity (84%) and the phosphorylation of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) in A2E + BL-treated ARPE-19 cells compared to Vehicle-treated group. The activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mediated pathway, inflammasome activation, and expression of inflammatory cytokines was significantly inhibited in A2E + BL-treated ARPE-19 cells after the MEE pretreatment. The activation of the apoptosis pathway and increased expression of neovascular proteins (36% for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9) were inhibited in the MEE pretreated groups compared to the Vehicle-treated group. Furthermore, the thickness of the whole retina (31%), outer nuclear layer (ONL), inner nuclear layer (INL), and photoreceptor layer (PL) were significantly increased by the MEE pretreatment of BALB/c mice with BL-induced retinal degeneration. Therefore, these results suggest that the MEE, with its high antioxidative activity, protects against BL-induced retinal degeneration through the regulation of the antioxidative system, inflammatory response, apoptosis, and neovascularization in the AMD mouse model. Full article

The influenza A virus poses a serious threat to human health and is an important global public health issue. The drugs currently used for treatment are becoming increasingly ineffective against influenza A viruses and require the development of new antiviral drugs. Angelica tenuissima Nakai (ATN), a traditional herbal medicine belonging to the Umbelliferae family, exhibits a broad range of pharmacological activities, including inflammation, headache, and cold symptoms. In the present study, based on target protein identification, functional enrichment analysis, and gene set comparisons, we first suggested that ATN has potential therapeutic effects against influenza A virus infection. Next, methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) and sulforhodamine B colorimetric (SRB) assay results revealed that ATN exhibited low cytotoxicity in Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. The antiviral properties of ATN were observed against H1N1 and H3N2 virus strains. Microscopy confirmed the increased survival rate of the host cells. Further time-of-addition experiments revealed that the addition of ATN before virus adsorption showed similar results to the whole period of treatment. The pre- and co-treated groups showed lower levels of viral RNA (M1 protein). The results of this study suggest that ATN exhibits antiviral properties against the influenza A virus. These therapeutic properties of ATN can serve as a theoretical basis for further research on the applicability of ATN in the development of antiviral agents. Full article

The vertical distribution patterns of daily primary production and dark carbon fixation were investigated at three stations in the East/Japan Sea (hereafter East Sea), a semi-enclosed marginal sea in the northwest Pacific Ocean. Our results displayed consistent vertical patterns of daily primary production at two of the stations, while the third station exhibited a markedly different distribution pattern, highlighting localized variations in production dynamics. In contrast, dark carbon fixations displaying varying vertical patterns among the stations are not specific enough to have much meaning. Water column-integral values showed differences in the contribution of dark carbon fixation to total primary production, ranging from 4.5% to 27.1%. These variations may reflect environmental parameters such as nutrient concentrations. However, our study is limited by the lack of direct data on the microbial community structure and chemoautotrophic activities, which are crucial for a more comprehensive understanding of these patterns. Understanding the environmental drivers of dark carbon fixation is crucial for elucidating carbon cycling dynamics in the East Sea. Notably, dark carbon fixation could contribute up to one-third of primary production in the region as an additional source of newly produced organic matter, highlighting the need for further investigation into this previously overlooked process. Full article

Knee effusion, a common and important indicator of joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, is typically more discernible on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans compared to radiographs. However, the use of radiographs for the early detection of knee effusion remains promising due to their cost-effectiveness and accessibility. This multi-center prospective study collected a total of 1413 radiographs from four hospitals between February 2022 to March 2023, of which 1281 were analyzed after exclusions. To automatically detect knee effusion on radiographs, we utilized a state-of-the-art (SOTA) deep learning-based classification model with a novel preprocessing technique to optimize images for diagnosing knee effusion. The diagnostic performance of the proposed method was significantly higher than that of the baseline model, achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.892, accuracy of 0.803, sensitivity of 0.820, and specificity of 0.785. Moreover, the proposed method significantly outperformed two non-orthopedic physicians. Coupled with an explainable artificial intelligence method for visualization, this approach not only improved diagnostic performance but also interpretability, highlighting areas of effusion. These results demonstrate that the proposed method enables the early and accurate classification of knee effusions on radiographs, thereby reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes through timely interventions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Self-recognition of recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI) may be essential for reducing prehospital time contrast to awareness of re-MI symptoms. However, data on the current status and clinical impact of self-recognition of re-MI are limited in the contemporary period. Thus, this study aimed to increase this body of knowledge. Methods: We enrolled 1018 patients with re-MI using data from the Korean Registry of Acute Myocardial Infarction for Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Centres. The patients were classified into self-recognised MI and unrecognised MI groups, and the differences between them were compared. Results: The rate of self-recognition among the patients with previous experience of MI was only 52.4%. Among the patients with re-MI, factors associated with self-recognition included recent first MI within 3 years, prior dyslipidaemia, two or more MI symptoms, and the male gender (p < 0.05). Factors associated with a lack of recognition were older age (≥70 years), prior stroke, and cancer history (p < 0.05). The proportion of symptoms-to-emergency room arrival time within 90 min among the patients with ST-elevation MI was significantly higher in the self-recognised group than in the unrecognised group (52.6% vs. 31.6%, p < 0.001). The self-recognised group showed a lower in-hospital mortality rate (1.5% vs. 6.2%, p < 0.001), and this benefit was maintained even after 1 year (hazard ratio: 0.53; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Only half of the patients who previously experienced a MI recognised a re-MI when it occurred. This recognition reduced prehospital delay and led to higher survival rates, which highlights the importance of patient education as well as objective monitoring devices, irrespective of individual recognition ability for immediate response. Full article

Clinically, prostate cancer is infamous for its histological and molecular heterogeneity, which causes great challenges to pinpoint therapy and pharmaceutical development. To overcome these difficulties, researchers are focusing on modulating tumor microenvironment and immune responses in addition to genetic alteration and epigenetic regulation. Here, we aimed to identify potential biomarkers or modulators of prostate cancer by investigating genes specifically altered in prostate cancer cells treated with established anti-cancer agents. Glycerol kinase 1 (GK1) is phosphotransferase encoded on the X chromosome, is associated with the synthesis of triglycerides and glycerophospholipids, and has been mainly studied for X-linked metabolic disorder GK deficiency (GKD). Interestingly, our DNA microarray analysis showed that several anti-cancer agents highly induced the expression of GK1, especially GK1a and GK1b isoforms, in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. To elucidate the relationship between GK1 and cancer cell death, a human GK1b-specific expression vector was constructed and transfected into the PC-3 cells. Surprisingly, GK1b overexpression dramatically reduced cell viability and significantly accelerated apoptotic cell death. These findings suggest that GK1b may serve as a promising modulator and biomarker of cell death in prostate cancer, offering potential avenues for therapeutic intervention. Full article

Brain swelling after cardiac arrest may affect brain ventricular volume. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic implications of ventricular volume on early thin-slice brain computed tomography (CT) after cardiac arrest. We measured the gray-to-white matter ratio (GWR) and the characteristics and volumes of the lateral, third, and fourth ventricles. The primary outcome was a poor 6-month neurological outcome. Of the 166 patients, 115 had a poor outcome. The fourth ventricle was significantly smaller in the poor outcome group (0.58 cm³ [95% CI, 0.43–0.80]) than in the good outcome group (0.74 cm³ [95% CI, 0.68–0.99], p < 0.001). Ventricular characteristics and other ventricular volumes did not differ between outcome groups. The area under the curve for the fourth ventricular volume was 0.68, comparable to 0.69 for GWR. Lower GWR (<1.09) and lower fourth ventricular volume (<0.41 cm³) predicted poor outcomes with 100% specificity and sensitivities of 8.7% (95% CI, 4.2–15.4) and 20.9% (95% CI, 13.9–29.4), respectively. Combining these measures improved the sensitivity to 25.2% (95% CI, 17.6–34.2). After adjusting for covariates, the fourth ventricular volume was independently associated with neurologic outcome. A marked decrease in fourth ventricular volume, with concomitant hypoattenuation on CT scans, more accurately predicted outcomes. Full article

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been found to have the characteristics of their parent cells. Based on the characteristics of these EVs, various studies on disease treatment using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived EVs with regenerative activity have been actively conducted. The therapeutic nature of MSC-derived EVs has been shown in several studies, but in recent years, there have been many efforts to functionalize EVs to give them more potent therapeutic effects. Strategies for functionalizing EVs include endogenous and exogenous methods. In this study, human umbilical cord MSC (UCMSC)-derived EVs were selected for optimum OA treatments with expectation via bioinformatics analysis based on antibody array. And we created a novel nanovesicle system called the IGF-si-EV, which has the properties of both cartilage regeneration and long-term retention in the lesion site, attaching positively charged insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to the surface of the UCMSC-derived Evs carrying siRNA, which inhibits MMP13. The downregulation of inflammation-related cytokine (MMP13, NF-kB, and IL-6) and the upregulation of cartilage-regeneration-related factors (Col2, Acan) were achieved with IGF-si-EV. Moreover, the ability of IGF-si-EV to remain in the lesion site for a long time has been proven through an ex vivo system. Collectively, the final constructed IGF-si-EV can be proposed as an effective OA treatment through its successful MMP13 inhibition, chondroprotective effect, and cartilage adhesion ability. We also believe that this EV-based nanoparticle-manufacturing technology can be applied as a platform technology for various diseases. Full article

Considering Korea’s gradual shift toward an aging society, consumer interest in compounds with physiological benefits, including antioxidant and anticancer effects, has surged. This study explored the potential of Tetragonia tetragonoides (Pall.) Kunze, commonly known as New Zealand Spinach (NZS), a halophyte with reported health benefits, including efficacy in treating gastrointestinal diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. This study also introduced a novel callus culture system for NZS, allowing for the rapid in vitro production of secondary metabolites. Optimal callus induction (100%) and biomass production (0.416 g) were achieved by adding 2.0 mg·L⁻¹ 6-BA (6-Benzylaminopurine) and 0.5 mg·L⁻¹ 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) among five auxin and cytokinin combinations. Two distinct callus types, TGC [TDZ (Thidiazuron)-supplemented Green Callus] and TNYC [TDZ + NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid)-supplemented Yellow Callus], were identified, each with unique characteristics. The calli showed total phenolic and flavonoid contents comparable to those of NZS leaves grown in the greenhouse. An expression analysis of six genes (CHS, CHI, F3H, F3′H, FLS, and DFR) involved in the kaempferol biosynthesis revealed an enhanced flavonoid biosynthesis-related gene expression in TGC, emphasizing its potential for compound production. GC-MS analysis identified distinct compound profiles in TGC and TNYC, with 2,3-butanediol and succinic acid being the predominant compounds among the nine and forty-four components, respectively. These calli offer a stable supply of functional compounds and present an environmentally sustainable solution. The derived callus culture system is anticipated to contribute to the development of healthy functional foods or pharmaceuticals from halophyte NZS. Full article