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Rivalry is endemic in society and organizations, fueling competitive intentions and behaviors. According to social network theory, rivalry emerges among people who, like siblings, have many of the same connections to others. For this structurally equivalent rivalry to have its effects, the individual must see the other person as a rival. We ask whether, in the context of competition, people seek to identify the knowledge providers of their rivals while striving to hide their own knowledge providers from perceived rivals. We conducted two experiments that showed, for the first time, that structural equivalence does induce feelings of rivalry and does lead people to take action with respect to perceived rivals, namely to hide and seek knowledge providers. Our analysis of time-separated social network and outcome data from all 73 employees in the headquarters of a chemical company found support for these patterns of hiding and seeking in relation to perceived rivals. We also found limited evidence that career outcomes may be influenced by individuals' success in hiding and seeking. Bringing together research on rivalry and network cognition, we provide a new approach to the strategic deployment of deception and detection in social networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical eigenstates with a high quality (Q) factor provide substantial advantages for a broad spectrum of optical devices, particularly those demanding strong light–matter interactions. Recently, it has been demonstrated that ultrahigh- Q resonances can be realized in planar photonic structures by merging multiple bound states in the continuum (BICs) in the momentum space. Photonic lattices with thin-film geometry are known to support abundant TE-polarized and TM-polarized BICs. While prior research has explored the merging of TE-polarized BICs, this paper presents analytical and numerical results concerning the merging of TM-polarized BICs in laterally periodic one-dimensional photonic lattices. As the thickness of photonic lattices increases, TM-polarized accidental BICs descend along the dispersion curves and eventually merge at the upper edge of the second stop band. Employing coupled-mode analysis, we calculate the analytical merging thickness at which multiple TM-polarized BICs come together at the second-order Γ point. We confirm the merging of TM-polarized BICs through finite-element method simulations. Our results can be beneficial for achieving ultrahigh- Q resonances through the merging of BICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rise of remote work and the digital industry, advanced cyberattacks have become more diverse and complex in terms of attack types and characteristics, rendering them difficult to detect with conventional intrusion detection methods. Signature-based intrusion detection methods can be used to detect attacks; however, they cannot detect new malware. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools are attracting attention as a means of detecting attacks on endpoints in real-time to overcome the limitations of signature-based intrusion detection techniques. However, EDR tools are restricted by the continuous generation of unnecessary logs, resulting in poor detection performance and memory efficiency. Machine learning-based intrusion detection techniques for responding to advanced cyberattacks are memory intensive, using numerous features; they lack optimal feature selection for each attack type. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes a memory-efficient intrusion detection approach incorporating multi-binary classifiers using optimal feature selection. The proposed model detects multiple types of malicious attacks using parallel binary classifiers with optimal features for each attack type. The experimental results showed a 2.95% accuracy improvement and an 88.05% memory reduction using only six features compared to a model with 18 features. Furthermore, compared to a conventional multi-classification model with simple feature selection based on permutation importance, the accuracy improved by 11.67% and the memory usage decreased by 44.87%. The proposed scheme demonstrates that effective intrusion detection is achievable with minimal features, making it suitable for memory-limited mobile and Internet of Things devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the severity of chronic kidney disease worldwide, strategies to recover renal function via tissue regeneration provide alternatives to kidney replacement therapy. To exclude side effects from direct cell transplantation, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are great substitutes representing paracrine cell signaling. To build three-dimensional structures for implantation into the 5/6 nephrectomy model by incorporating bioactive materials, including multifunctional EVs (mEVs), porous PMEZE/mEV scaffolds were developed in combination with edaravone (EDV; E) and mEV based on PMEZ scaffolds with PLGA (P), MH-RA (M), ECM (E), ZnO-ALA (Z). The oxygen free radical scavenger EDV was incorporated to induce tubular regeneration. mEVs were engineered to serve regenerative activities with a combination of two EVs from SDF-1α overexpressed tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (sEVs) and intermediate mesoderm (IM) cells during differentiation into kidney progenitor cells (dEVs). mEVs displayed beneficial effects on regeneration by facilitating migration and inducing differentiation of surrounding stem cells, and EDV improved kidney function by regulating the GDNF/RET pathway and their downstream genes. The promotion of MSC recruitment was confirmed with sEV particles number dependently, and the regulation of the GDNF/RET pathway by the effect of EDV and its enhanced effect by mEVs were elucidated using in vitro analysis. The regeneration of tubules was additionally demonstrated through the increased expression of aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) and cadherin-16 (CDH16) for proximal tubules, and calbindin and PAX2 for distal tubules in the renal defect model. With these, structural regeneration and functional recovery were achieved with kidney regeneration in the 5/6 nephrectomy mice model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuous scaling down of semiconductor devices has significantly benefited consumers by enhancing the device performance, portability, power efficiency, and affordability. Recently, chip makers have embraced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography to spearhead the market leadership of sub-10 nm patterning. This surge in EUV adoption has sparked extensive research on EUV photoresists, focusing on materials with various metallic elements to improve the EUV sensitivity and advance nanolithography. Previous studies explored the determinants of sensitivity and pattern formation. Recently, interest has shifted toward dry photoresists and innovative techniques, such as resistless lithography. This review summarizes the research on inorganic EUV photoresists and outlines strategies to boost the lithographic performance and tackle future challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with diverse extra-articular manifestations, including interstitial lung disease (ILD). No previous studies have examined the bidirectional relationship between RA and ILD using the Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this subject using a two-sample bidirectional MR method. Methods: We performed bidirectional two-sample MR using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWASs). The data are publicly available, de-identified, and from European (EUR) and East Asian (EAS) ancestries. Results: A total of 474,450 EUR participants and 351,653 EAS participants were included for either forward or reverse MR analysis. In our primary analysis, we found significant evidence of an increased risk of ILD associated with RA among individuals of EUR ancestry (ORMR-cML = 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–1.14; p = 0.003) and EAS ancestry (ORMR-cML = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.23–1.54; p < 0.001). Additionally, the reverse MR showed significant evidence of an increased risk of RA associated with ILD among those of EUR ancestry (ORMR-cML = 1.12; 95% CI = 1.05–1.19; p < 0.001). However, only one instrumental variable was selected in the EAS ILD GWAS, and there was no increased risk of RA associated with ILD in those of EAS ancestry (ORMR-cML = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.91–1.14; p = 0.740). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that RA and ILD have a bidirectional causal inference when using the MR analysis of GWAS datasets. The findings are only relevant for genetic predisposition; thus, further research is needed to determine the impact of non-genetic predispositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity causes widespread crop loss and prompts plants to adapt through changes in gene expression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the function of the non-tandem CCCH zinc-finger (non-TZF) protein gene AtC3H3 in response to salt stress in Arabidopsis. AtC3H3, a gene from the non-TZF gene family known for its RNA-binding and RNase activities, was up-regulated under osmotic stress, such as high salt and drought. When overexpressed in Arabidopsis, AtC3H3 improved tolerance to salt stress, but not drought stress. The expression of well-known abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent salt stress-responsive genes, namely Responsive to Desiccation 29B (RD29B), RD22, and Responsive to ABA 18 (RAB18), and representative ABA-independent salt stress-responsive genes, namely Dehydration-Responsive Element Binding protein 2A (DREB2A) and DREB2B, was significantly higher in AtC3H3-overexpressing transgenic plants (AtC3H3 OXs) than in wild-type plants (WT) under NaCl treatment, indicating its significance in both ABA-dependent and -independent signal transduction pathways. mRNA-sequencing (mRNA-Seq) analysis using NaCl-treated WT and AtC3H3 OXs revealed no potential target mRNAs for the RNase function of AtC3H3, suggesting that the potential targets of AtC3H3 might be noncoding RNAs and not mRNAs. Through this study, we conclusively demonstrated that AtC3H3 plays a crucial role in salt stress tolerance by influencing the expression of salt stress-responsive genes. These findings offer new insights into plant stress response mechanisms and suggest potential strategies for improving crop resilience to salinity stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing composite gate dielectrics tailored by incorporating inorganic perovskite nanofillers into a polymer matrix to develop flexible low‐voltage transistors can be challenging because homogeneous dispersion of nanomaterials in the matrix is difficult to achieve; thus, degradation of the electrically insulating properties of nanocomposite layers is often observed. In this study, nanocomposite dielectrics are presented that consist of 2D Ba5Ta4O15 nanosheets (BTO NSs) for the first time. Perovskite BTO is introduced using the Langmuir–Blodgett method to construct a precise and pinhole‐free interface for the homogeneous assembly of 2D nanosheets. Its high k value and ferroelectric properties, which arise from the perovskite structure, can be harnessed to achieve attractive polarization and remarkable electronic properties. The 2D BTO NSs can also be utilized as phase crystallization fillers to enhance the ferroelectric properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Additionally, the multilayer PVDF/perovskite nanosheet hybrid dielectric, which reaches an unprecedentedly high dielectric constant of 22.4, exhibits effective dielectric relaxation related to the interfacial induced ferroelectric polarization and decisive negative‐capacitance response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parenting programs aim to improve parenting quality, which may, in turn, support various aspects of child development, including behavior and mental health. However, parenting interventions show considerable heterogeneity in response patterns across different families, demonstrating that they are not one-size-fits-all programs. This variability points to a need for greater understanding of which families benefit most from these interventions and how to improve response among those who do not. Following this literature gap, this study employed a person-centered approach to identify different parenting profiles associated with heterogeneity in treatment responses to a family-based prevention interventions adapted for military families. This study used data from a randomized controlled trial of the ADAPT intervention for 336 US military families in which at least one parent had deployed to war. Latent profile analyses revealed three unobserved parenting profiles among mothers and fathers, reflecting High positive, Moderate positive, and Coercive parenting styles. Latent transition analysis (LTA) suggested that the ADAPT program led to improvements in parenting, particularly among mothers who began the program with moderate or typical levels of parenting skills, and that these positive changes in parenting may help to decrease child externalizing problems. For fathers, the ADAPT program was most effective in preventing declines in positive parenting among those with initially typical levels of positive parenting. Overall, study findings demonstrate considerable heterogeneity in parenting behavior among a sample of military families that is associated with variability in parent responses to the evidence-based parenting program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of explosive materials, particularly nitroaromatic compounds such as 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT), is critical for public safety and national security. Existing detection methods often require complex instrumentation, limiting their applicability for real‐time or in‐field use. Fluorescent sensors, which offer rapid and sensitive detection through fluorescence quenching, present a promising alternative. This study evaluates the performance of two pentiptycene‐based polymers, P‐1 and P‐2, in detecting explosive vapors, with a specific focus on their behavior under high‐humidity conditions. P‐2, modified with triethylene glycol groups, demonstrated significantly increased hydrophilicity compared to the commonly studied P‐1, as confirmed by contact angle measurements. Spectroscopic analysis revealed a blue shift in P‐2's UV–Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra, indicating electronic property changes due to structural modifications. The enhanced hydrophilicity of P‐2 enabled it to maintain stable sensing performance under moist conditions, showing less than a 10% reduction in sensitivity, compared to the 20% decrease observed in P‐1. This superior moisture resistance suggests that P‐2 is a more robust and practical sensor for explosive detection in environments with variable humidity levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unidirectional light emission from planar photonic structures is highly advantageous for a wide range of optoelectronic applications. Recently, it has been demonstrated that unidirectional guided resonances (UGRs) can be realized by utilizing topological polarization singularities in momentum space. However, the practical application of these topological unidirectional emitters has been limited due to their intricate geometric configurations, requiring special efforts with high‐cost fabrication processes. In this study, it is demonstrated that unidirectional light emission can be achieved in conventional 1D zero‐contrast gratings (ZCGs), which can be easily fabricated using current nanofabrication technologies. In ZCGs, the interband coupling between even‐like and odd‐like waveguide modes leads to the formation of quasi‐UGRs, characterized by significantly higher decay rates in either the upward or downward direction compared to the opposite direction. It is demonstrated that these quasi‐UGRs evolve into genuine UGRs with an gradual increase in grating thickness. Moreover, the emission direction of UGRs can be selectively steered either upward or downward by adjusting the lattice parameters. In addition to quasi‐UGRs and UGRs, the study also reveals additional topological phenomena in ZCGs, including exceptional points and quasi‐BICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Established in 2002, the Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group (KGOG) has presented improved clinical outcomes based on multi-center clinical trials. To date, KGOG has approved 156 studies and published 68 KGOG-led studies. The organization aims to advance gynecologic cancer research through sustained efforts and international collaboration. The Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group (KGOG) was established in 2002 and is the only organization in Korea conducting multi-center clinical trials for gynecologic cancers. Since its re-establishment as a non-profit organization in 2021, KGOG has grown significantly, now including 207 gynecologic oncology specialists from 76 hospitals. This growth is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all those involved in the organization. KGOG is committed to maximizing the activation of multi-center clinical research through policies that support patients with rare diseases and gynecologic cancer research, focusing on strengthening institutional capacity, equalizing participation opportunities, and enhancing information sharing. A significant milestone for KGOG was becoming a member of the US Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) in 2005, allowing participation in GOG clinical trials. KGOG later joined the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup (GCIG) and strengthened its capabilities by hosting the first Endometrial Cancer Consensus Conference—Clinical Research (ECCC-CR) in 2023. KGOG holds biannual meetings and symposia, as well as 224 operating committee meetings annually to review the discussions of the Tumor Site Committee. KGOG has conducted 156 investigator-initiated trial (IIT) or sponsor-initiated trial (SIT) studies as KGOG-led or participated in research. Currently, 18 studies are registered, and 10 are in preparation. To date, 68 papers have been published. KGOG conducts six national projects and collaborates with external organizations such as the NRG Oncology Foundation, Gynecologic Oncology Group Partners (GOG-P), GCIG, East Asian Gynecologic Oncology Trial group (EAGOT), and the Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (JGOG). Through collaboration with renowned international research institutions, KGOG has significantly expanded the scope of its research, achieving noteworthy clinical outcomes. This report not only introduces the history and recent status of KGOG but also presents the exciting future direction of the organization, filled with potential breakthroughs and advancements in gynecologic oncology research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequency and impact of major geological disasters are increasing worldwide, highlighting the growing importance of prompt and efficient damage analyses and response strategy development. Satellite imagery plays a crucial role in determining the extent and impact of disasters on the Earth's surface, offering significant advantages such as extensive real-time data collection and enabling time-series analysis. This facilitates the immediate detection and response to surface changes due to earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity. Remote sensing data are used both domestically and internationally to develop and operate real-time monitoring systems for disaster and hazard responses. In particular, South Korea operates over seven low Earth and geostationary orbit satellites. Their use has expanded to include geological disaster surveillance and oceanic and atmospheric monitoring. This study focuses on the analysis of significant geological disasters in South Korea and investigates how satellite data can contribute to disaster response and prevention. Specifically, regions in South Korea prone to three major geological hazards—earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activities—were selected for analysis based on disaster occurrences or potential occurrences. The data collection status of low Earth orbit satellites operated by South Korea under consistent conditions from 2015 to 2023 was examined. For optical imagery, the analysis of cloud cover during the study period was conducted to assess response possibilities during disaster events. Additionally, response strategies for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) were explored to complement optical imagery. Furthermore, an analysis of satellite data collection trends over time provided fundamental insights for detecting and analyzing destructive geological disasters in the future. This paper is expected to assist South Korea in effectively responding to and managing such disasters, ultimately aiding in the development of comprehensive disaster response strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unabated 21st-century climate change will accelerate Arctic-Subarctic permafrost thaw which can intensify microbial degradation of carbon-rich soils, methane emissions, and global warming. The impact of permafrost thaw on future Arctic-Subarctic wildfires and the associated release of greenhouse gases and aerosols is less well understood. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of the effect of future permafrost thaw on land surface processes in the Arctic-Subarctic region using the CESM2 large ensemble forced by the SSP3-7.0 greenhouse gas emission scenario. Analyzing 50 greenhouse warming simulations, which capture the coupling between permafrost, hydrology, and atmosphere, we find that projected rapid permafrost thaw leads to massive soil drying, surface warming, and reduction of relative humidity over the Arctic-Subarctic region. These combined processes lead to nonlinear late-21st-century regime shifts in the coupled soil-hydrology system and rapid intensification of wildfires in western Siberia and Canada. In a warming world, future rapid permafrost thawing can cause significant soil drying, surface warming, and atmospheric drying in the Arctic-Subarctic region, leading to an intensification of peat and forest fires in western Siberia and Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for low‐temperature thin‐film encapsulation (TFE) in advanced flexible and wearable organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) has intensified to mitigate thermal issues, which deteriorate the device performance. Herein, Al2O3/TiO2 nanolaminates (A/T NLs)are introduced and fabricated via thermal atomic layer deposition at an exceptionally low temperature of 40 °C, which exhibited enhanced mechanical and environmental robustness. Compared to the single‐layer Al2O3 and TiO2 thin films (0.06% and 0.31%), the A/T NLs with sublayer thickness under 15 nm exhibit dramatic improvement in elongation (0.46–0.53%), attributed to the effective decoupling of critical defects by the Al2O3/TiO2 interfaces. Furthermore, the A/T NLs with 3 nm‐thick‐sublayer demonstrate highly improved water vapor transmission rates of 9.48 × 10−5 g m−2 day−1, making them promising candidates for TFE in wearable OLEDs. Notably, the optimized A/T NL‐encapsulated wearable phosphorescent OLEDs (phOLEDs) exhibit extended lifetimes (LT70), surpassing 200 h in the accelerated environmental conditions (40 °C/90% RH) which is 40 times longer lifetimes compared to the not encapsulated OLEDs. Additionally, the A/T NL‐encapsulated wearable phOLEDs displayed mechanical endurance, enduring 125 h even under the bending strain of 0.4% compared to the Al2O3‐ and TiO2‐encapsulated OLEDs (4 and 18 h). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Epstein–Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) is a type of stomach cancer linked to EBV infection. This study explores how the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) affects the immune response against EBVaGC. Using the SNU719 cell line, we treated the cells with DHT and observed an increased expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and the activation of the NF-κB pathway. This led to higher levels of MICA, a protein that interacts with immune cells like natural killer (NK) and T cells, enhancing their ability to kill EBVaGC cells. Importantly, this immune boost occurred without increasing harmful inflammatory signals. Our findings suggest that DHT enhances the immune system's ability to target EBVaGC, providing a potential therapeutic approach by modulating androgen signaling to improve anti-tumor immunity. Background: Epstein–Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) is a subset of gastric cancers linked to EBV infection. While the role of male hormones in cancers such as prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers is well-studied, their impact on EBVaGC remains less understood. This study aims to examine the effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on EBVaGC, particularly focusing on its influence on the immune response. Methods: The study utilized the SNU719 EBVaGC cell line. Cells were treated with DHT to assess androgen receptor (AR) expression and the activation of signaling pathways, including NF-κB. The expression of MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MICA) and its interaction with the NKG2D receptor on NK and T cells was evaluated. Cytotoxicity assays were conducted to determine DHT's effect on NK and T cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and proinflammatory cytokine gene expression was analyzed. Results: DHT significantly increased AR expression in EBVaGC cells and activated the NF-κB pathway, which led to increased transcription of target genes such as MICA and EBNA1. These changes enhanced the interaction with receptors on NK and T cells, thereby boosting their cytotoxicity against EBVaGC cells. Importantly, DHT did not upregulate proinflammatory cytokine genes. Conclusion: DHT enhances the immune response against EBVaGC by upregulating MICA and activating NK and T cells. These findings suggest potential therapeutic strategies targeting androgen signaling to improve anti-tumor immunity in EBVaGC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the advent of da Vinci SP, surgical methods using da Vinci SP are becoming popular in thyroid surgery. The authors previously reported on a new surgical method called the single-port robotic areolar (SPRA) approach, which evolved from the previous bilateral axillary breast approach (BABA). This paper reports a comparative analysis of SPRA and BABA over one year. Methods: The data on SPRA and BABA thyroid surgery performed at the authors' hospital from December 2022 to December 2023 were analyzed. Results: 111 SPRA and 159 BABA surgeries were performed. SPRA was performed overwhelmingly on women (1 man vs. 110 women), and the body mass index (BMI) was lower in SPRA patients (23.63 ± 3.49 vs. 25.71 ± 4.39, p < 0.001). The proportion of total thyroidectomy was significantly higher in BABA patients, and a modified radical neck dissection (MRND) was only performed using the BABA method. The time for flap formation before robot docking was significantly shorter in SPRA patients (12.08 ± 3.99 vs. 18.34 ± 5.84 min, p < 0.001). Postoperative drain amount was also significantly lower in SPRA patients (53.87 ± 35.45 vs. 81.74 ± 30.26 mL, p < 0.001). Hospital stay after surgery was significantly shorter with SPRA (3.04 ± 0.48 vs. 3.36 ± 0.73 days, p < 0.001). Thyroglobulin levels after a total thyroidectomy (0.06 ± 0.13 vs. 0.45 ± 0.78, p = 0.002) and stimulated Tg level before the RAI (1.03 ± 0.74 vs. 5.01 ± 13.63, p = 0.046) were significantly lower in the SPRA group. No significant differences were observed between the two groups according to the postoperative complications, including vocal cord palsy and hypoparathyroidism. Conclusions: Based on the authors' experience, SPRA is a less invasive robot thyroid surgery method than BABA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An adaptive Nesterov quasi-Newton acceleration (an-QNA)-optimized low-noise amplifier (LNA) is proposed in this paper. An optimized single-ended-to-differential two-stage LNA circuit is presented. It includes an improved post-linearization (IPL) technique to enhance the linearity. Traditional methods like conventional quasi-Newton (c-QN) often suffer from slow convergence and the tendency to get trapped in local minima. However, the proposed an-QNA method significantly accelerates the convergence speed. Furthermore, in this paper, modifications have been made to the an-QNA algorithm using a quadratic estimation to guarantee global convergence. The optimized an-QNA-based LNA, using standard 65 nm CMOS technology, achieves a simulated gain of 17.5 dB, a noise figure (NF) of 3.7 dB, and a 1 dB input compression point (IP1dB) of −13.1 dBm. It is also noted that the optimized LNA achieves a measured gain of 12.9 dB and an NF of 4.98 dB, and the IP1dB is −17.8 dB. The optimized LNA has a chip area of 0.67 mm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both the ε4 variant of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene and hearing loss are well-known risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. However, previous studies have produced inconsistent findings regarding the association between APOE genotypes and hearing levels, necessitating further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between APOE genotypes and hearing levels. This retrospective study analyzed clinical data from a clinical data warehouse of seven affiliated Catholic Medical Center hospitals. The study included 1,162 participants with records of APOE genotypes, audiometric tests, and cognitive function tests. In Generalized linear mixed model analysis, ε4 carriers exhibited lower pure tone audiometry thresholds with an estimate of -0.353 (SE = 0.126, p = 0.005). However, the interaction term for age and APOE ε4 had a coefficient of 0.577 (SE = 0.214 p = 0.006), suggesting that the APOE ε4 gene may accelerate hearing deterioration with age. Subgroup analysis based on an age cut-off of 75 revealed that ε4 carriers had better hearing at younger ages, but showed no significant difference at older ages. These results indicate that the ε4 allele may have a biphasic effect on hearing levels depending on age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2023 revision proposed that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has various etiologies including infections (COPD-I), such as tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus. While nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) and pulmonary tuberculosis share similar clinical manifestations, research on COPD development during longitudinal follow-up in patients with NTM-PD is limited. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk of COPD development in patients with NTM-PD. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled patients with NTM-PD with normal lung function and 1:4 age-, sex-, body mass index-, and smoking status-matched controls between November 1994 and January 2022. We compared the risks of spirometry-defined COPD between the NTM-PD and control groups (study 1). A nationwide cohort study using the health insurance claims database was conducted to validate the findings (study 2). Results: In study 1, during a mean follow-up of 3.3 years, COPD occurred in 14.0% (241/1,715) and 4.3% (293/6,860) of individuals in the NTM-PD and matched control cohorts, respectively. The NTM-PD cohort exhibited a higher risk of incident COPD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.57; 95% CI, 2.15–3.09) compared to matched controls. In study 2, COPD occurred in 6.2% (24/386) and 2.5% (28/1,133) of individuals with and without NTM-PD, respectively. The NTM-PD cohort had a higher risk of incident COPD (aHR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.21–3.42) compared to matched controls. Conclusion: These findings suggest that NTM-PD could be considered a new etiotype of COPD-I and emphasize the importance of monitoring lung function in individuals with NTM-PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Aims: The care burden of people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (pALS) increases with disease progression. This study aimed to investigate the home care status and preparedness of care partners of pALS (cALS) in Korea. Methods: An online survey was conducted with family care partners of patients diagnosed with ALS for over 1 year in 2022. The data collected included care time, depression evaluated using the patient health questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9), preparedness for caregiving scale (PCS), and caregiver competence scale (CCS). Results were compared based on whether the pALS underwent a tracheostomy or not. Results: Ninety‐eight cALS of 98 pALS participated in the study, of whom 59 pALS had undergone tracheostomy. Among the cALS, 60.2% were spouses, and 34.7% were children. The cALS took care of the patients for 13 (8–20) hours/day (median, interquartile range [IQR]) on weekdays and 15 (10–24) h/day on weekends. Among the cALS, 91.8% were depressed, and 28.6% had severe depression. The median (IQR) PCS and CCS scores were low (11/32 (8–15) and 8/20 (8–11), respectively), and both were lower in those caring for patients without than with tracheostomy (p <.001 and p <.02, respectively). Most cALS (77.6%) wished to continue caring for their pALS at home. Discussion: Family care partners of pALS spend more than half of each day caring for patients and are often depressed. Most cALS preferred providing care at home, but felt ill‐prepared. Designing home‐based medical care is necessary for pALS to thrive at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To move away from linear system mining–manufacture–production–disposal, most countries have been trying to establish a circular economy, by reusing waste as resources. Responding to this paradigm change, the Ministry of Environment of Korea amended the Wastes Control Act in the 2010s. To increase the recycling rate in Korea, the environmental assessment of recycling (EAR) has been introduced to improve the Wastes Control Act. The whole process of new recycling technologies can be assessed in terms of environmental or technical aspects by assessment institutes of the EAR. Finally, the governmental research institute can approve of an application case, which proves environmental friendliness, even if the technology is not defined in the current act. Recently, 17 companies have been coassessed and approved to recycle steel codes in waste tires as resources for iron smelting via assessments of the whole process, such as environmental analysis and quality assessment. The EAR has been enforcing recycling materials for six years, and the total profit of the companies that were approved was estimated to be approximately 55 million USD. However, many amendments to the EAR continue to be requested by stakeholders. In this study, the effect of the EAR was evaluated, and additional tasks were found to enhance the EAR. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1473–1485. © 2024 SETAC Key Points: After the amendment of the Wastes Control Act, the number of assessment institutes increased from one to three.The amounts of recycled materials are 2.4 Mt of contact media type and 0.69 Mt/year of noncontact media type, and the profit of the companies was estimated at approximately 55 million USD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Chordoma, a rare malignant tumor originating from embryonal notochord remnants, exhibits high resistance to conventional treatments, making surgical resection imperative. However, the factors influencing prognosis specifically for cervical spine chordoma have not been clearly identified. We investigate the prognosis of cervical spine chordoma with factors influential in a nationwide multicenter retrospective study. Methods: This study included all patients diagnosed with cervical spine chordoma at 7 tertiary referral centers from January 1998 to March 2023, excluding those with clivus and thoracic spine chordomas extending into the cervical spine. Local recurrence (LR) was identified through follow-up magnetic resonance imaging, either as reappearance in completely resected tumors or regrowth in residual tumors. The study assessed LR and overall survival, analyzing factors influencing LR and death. Results: Forty-five patients with cervical spine chordoma had a mean age of 46.4 years. Over a median follow-up of 52 months, LR and distant metastasis were observed in 21 (46.7%) and 4 patients (8.9%), respectively, and 16 patients (36%) were confirmed dead. The 5-year and 10-year cumulative LR rates were 51.3% and 60%, respectively, while the 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 82% and 53%. Age was the only significant factor affecting mortality (hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.07; p=0.015). Notably, the degree of resection and adjuvant therapy did not statistically significantly impact local tumor control and mortality. Conclusion: This study, the largest multicenter retrospective analysis of cervical spine chordoma in Korea, identified age as the only factor significantly affecting patient survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food processing industries commonly employ organic acids (OAAs) to determine bacterial contamination in acidified and fermented foods. OAAs are believed to possess potent antimicrobial properties by permeating cell membranes, altering proton and anion concentrations in the cytoplasm due to their lipophilic undissociated forms. The bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects of OAAs are influenced by various factors including microbial physiology, environmental pH, and acid dissociation ratios. Despite their utility, the precise mechanisms underlying OAA-mediated inhibition of pathogenic bacteria remain incompletely understood. Therefore, the objectives of this review are to compile a selected area of researches that focus on the current propensity of different OAAs for inactivating food-borne pathogens, and then to present a theoretical insight on the use of OAAs to prevent and control pathogenic bacteria present in acidic/acidified foods and their mode of mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to evaluate the synergistic interaction of organic acids (OAAs) or lemon extract (LE) plus mild heat (MH; 55 °C) against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes inoculated in beetroot and watermelon juices. A mixed culture cocktail of E. coli O157:H7, S. Typhimurium or L. monocytogenes was inoculated in beetroot or watermelon juice, followed by treatments with MH, citric acid + MH, malic acid + MH, tartaric acid + MH, and LE + MH. Approximately < 2.0-log reductions in the number of E. coli O157:H7, S. Typhimurium, and L. monocytogenes were observed when these bacteria were heated in juices at 55 °C for 5 min. A combination of 1.0% OAAs or 20% LE and MH (55 °C) for 5 min resulted in an additional log-reduction in the count of E. coli O157:H7, S. Typhimurium, and L. monocytogenes by 2.2–5.0, 4.5–5.0, and 1.5–5.0, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study seeks to systematically describe how humanitarian aid organizations use visuals in their natural disaster-related social media messages and to analyze their effects on social media engagement. Using Rodriguez and Dimitrova's (2011) four levels of visual framing, we performed a content analysis of 810 tweets from 38 aid organizations. The results showed that, overall, the organizations' visuals had an emphasis on victims and on disaster relief efforts. The most effective types of visual framing, however, were not those the aid organizations most commonly used. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We designed a multi-institutional retrospective study to investigate the previously unreported failure pattern, survivals, and prognostic factors after postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients in South Korea. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 699 patients with TNBC who underwent PORT at six institutions between 2008 and 2010. The median follow-up period was 94 months (range: 7–192 months). There were 216, 380, and 100 patients in stages I, II, and III, respectively. Results: After 94 months post-treatment, all patients with pathologic complete remission after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were alive without any failure. Distant metastasis was the main cause of failure. The 5-year overall survival rate was 91.4%, 5-year loco-regional relapse-free survival rate (LRRFS) was 92.3%, 5-year distant metastasis-free survival rate (DMFS) was 89.4%, and 5-year disease-free survival rate (DFS) was 85.2%. On multivariate (Cox) analysis, T and N stages were significant prognostic factors for survival, and lympho-vascular invasion (LVI) was a significant factor for LRRFS and DMFS. Ki-67 expression was significantly associated with LRRFS and DFS. Conclusion: We verified that T and N stages, LVI, and Ki-67 expression were significantly associated with survival outcomes after PORT in TNBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crowdfunding is an innovative means of financing entrepreneurial initiatives. This study explores the effect of signaling on the crowdfunding performance of social economy organizations (SEOs) in South Korea. Analyzing 677 reward‐based crowdfunding projects by SEOs, we found that signaling social purpose, economic purpose, and organizational information were likely to be related to performance. In addition, signals reflecting an isomorphism akin to that of SEOs' identity were also positively correlated with crowdfunding performance. These findings contribute to the literature by offering insights about the effect of signals of SEOs on crowdfunding and demonstrating that fundraiser characteristics may influence crowdfunding performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although frequently prescribed for frozen shoulder, it is not known if corticosteroid injections improve the course of frozen shoulder. This study aimed to assess the disease-modifying effects of an intra-articular corticosteroid administration at the freezing phase of frozen shoulder. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Their unilateral shoulders were immobilized for the first 3 days in all groups, followed by an intra-articular corticosteroid injection in Group A, an injection and the cessation of immobilization in Group B, no further intervention in Group C, and the cessation of immobilization in Group D. All rats were sacrificed in Week 3 of study, at which point the passive shoulder abduction angles were measured and the axillary recess tissues were retrieved for histological and Western blot analyses. The passive shoulder abduction angles at the time of sacrifice were 138° ± 8° (Group A), 146° ± 5° (Group B), 95° ± 11° (Group C), 132° ± 8° (Group D), and 158° ± 2° (Control). The histological assessments and Western blots showed greater fibrosis and inflammation in the groups that did not receive the corticosteroid injection (Groups C and D) compared to the corticosteroid-injected groups (Groups A and B). These findings demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying effects of corticosteroid injections during the freezing phase of frozen shoulder in an animal model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are exclusive to the retina, critically multifunctional in maintaining the visual functions and health of photoreceptors and the retina. Despite their vital functions throughout lifetime, RPE cells lack regenerative capacity, rendering them vulnerable which can lead to degenerative retinal diseases. With advancements in stem cell technology enabling the differentiation of functional cells from pluripotent stem cells and leveraging the robust autocrine and paracrine functions of RPE cells, extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by RPE cells hold significant therapeutic potential in supplementing RPE cell activity. While previous research has primarily focused on the trophic factors secreted by RPE cells, there is a lack of studies investigating miRNA, which serves as a master regulator of gene expression. Profiling and defining the functional role of miRNA contained within RPE‐secreted EVs is critical as it constitutes a necessary step in identifying the optimal phenotype of the EV‐secreting cell and understanding the biological cargo of EVs to develop EV‐based therapeutics. In this study, we present a comprehensive profile of miRNA in small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) secreted during RPE maturation following differentiation from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs); early‐stage hESC‐RPE (20–21 days in culture), mid‐stage hESC‐RPE (30–31 days in culture) and late‐stage hESC‐RPE (60–61 days in culture). This exploration is essential for ongoing efforts to develop and optimize EV‐based intraocular therapeutics utilizing RPE‐secreted EVs, which may significantly impact the function of dysfunctional RPE cells in retinal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined whether quarantined individuals complied with rules to prevent transmission at home and whether the government provided appropriate support to individuals in quarantine. Between November 2020 and August 2021, we surveyed 198 individuals who had been or were quarantined at home without infection. The online survey results show that respondents experienced difficulties living in close quarters with their cohabitants and had low compliance with in-house hygiene rules. The government needed to provide adequate employment protection, living expense, or care support. Such failures of the system were mainly due to a lack of legal grounds for the government to operate. To improve compliance, the government can amend laws to permit active communication of public health messages with those quarantined at home and provide the necessary support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Based on the theoretical predictions of media equation theory and the computers-are-social-actors (CASA) perspective, this study aims to examine the effects of performance error type (i.e. logical, semantic or syntactic), task type and personality presentation (i.e. dominant/submissive and/or friendly/unfriendly) on users' level of trust in their personal digital assistant (PDA), Siri. Design/methodology/approach: An experimental study of human–PDA interactions was performed with two types of tasks (social vs functional) randomly assigned to participants (N = 163). While interacting with Siri in 15 task inquiries, the participants recorded Siri's answers for each inquiry and self-rated their trust in the PDA. The answers were coded and rated by the researchers for personality presentation and error type. Findings: Logical errors were the most detrimental to user trust. Users' trust of Siri was significantly higher after functional tasks compared to social tasks when the effects of general usage (e.g. proficiency, length and frequency of usage) were controlled for. The perception of a friendly personality from Siri had an opposite effect on social and functional tasks in the perceived reliability dimension of trust and increased intensity of the presented personality reduced perceived reliability in functional tasks. Originality/value: The research findings contradict predictions from media equation theory and the CASA perspective while contributing to a theoretical refinement of machine errors and their impact on user trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Betaine is a useful compound that has various activities and is the marker compound of Lycium chinense fruit in Korean Pharmacopoeia. we seek to support the stable production of medicinal goji berries, which have significant potential in the pharmaceutical industry due to their high values, and to provide foundational data for consistent quality control. This study's purpose was to examine the correlation among betaine content, environmental variables, and the growth characteristics of L. chinense fruits. The fruits were collected from 25 cultivation sites across South Korea. We investigated five growth characteristics and betaine contents in L. chinense fruits and twelve soil physicochemical properties, and seven meteorological data at cultivation sites. The fruit's growth characteristics included a length of 15.62–26.49 mm, a width of 7.09–11.38 mm, a fresh weight of 0.73–1.62 g, and a sugar content of 11.10–19.62 Brix°. Its betaine content ranged from 0.54% to 0.97%. The betaine content was positively correlated with electrical conductivity (0.327 **), exchangeable potassium (0.314 **), and sodium (0.259 *) and negatively correlated with annual average minimum temperature (−0.256 *) and annual average temperature (−0.242 *). Also, betaine showed a positive correlation with the length of the fruit (0.294 *) and the fresh weight of the fruit (0.238 *). These results can be used to find the best cultivation method and to manage quality control for the highly economical L. chinense fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strawberry aroma, crucial for determining quality, involves complex volatile compounds which are challenging to identify. This study explores strawberry aroma analysis using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and the Automated Mass Spectral Deconvolution and Identification System (AMDIS). Central to our research is the creation of a bespoke strawberry Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) user library using AMDIS, specifically for analyzing strawberry aromas. The library contains VOCs from 61 strawberry cultivars, integrating information on 104 VOCs, including mass spectra, retention index, chemical class, CAS number, formula, odor threshold, and odor description. This custom library significantly outperformed a commercial library by reducing potential false hits by 200, decreasing the size of report files by over 96%, and, most importantly, shortening AMDIS analysis processing time from 31 s to 9 s, representing an approximate 71% reduction. Further, the study demonstrates the library's practical application by contrasting the aroma profiles of strawberries harvested in winter and spring. This comparison revealed significant VOC variations depending on seasonal temperature changes, offering insights into environmental influences on strawberry aroma. In conclusion, this research marks a significant advance in strawberry aroma quality analysis. The strawberry VOC library developed in this study is expected to greatly aid targeted metabolomics and flavor research in strawberry breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Conventionally, MRI aids in differentiating acute unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy/vestibular neuritis (AUPV/VN) from mimickers. Meanwhile, the diagnostic utility of MRIs dedicated to the inner ear remains to be elucidated for diagnosing AUPV/VN. Methods: We prospectively recruited 53 patients with AUPV/VN (mean age ± SD = 60 ± 15 years, 29 men). Initial MRIs were performed with a standard protocol, and an additional axial 3D‐fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (3D‐FLAIR) sequence was obtained 4 h after intravenous injection of gadoterate meglumine. Abnormal enhancement was defined as a signal intensity that exceeded the mean + 2SD value on the healthy side. The findings of neurotologic evaluation and MRIs were compared. Results: Overall, the inter‐rater agreement for gadolinium enhancement was 0.886 (Cohen's kappa coefficient). Enhancement was observed in 26 patients (49%), most frequently in the vestibule (n = 20), followed by the anterior (n = 12), horizontal (HC, n = 8), posterior canal (n = 5), and superior (n = 3) and inferior (n = 1) vestibular nerves. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the enhancement was associated with decreased HC gain in video head‐impulse tests (p = 0.036), increased interaural difference in ocular vestibular‐evoked myogenic potentials (p = 0.001), and a longer onset‐to‐MRI time span (p = 0.024). The sensitivity and specificity were 92.3% and 81.5%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.90 for predicting gadolinium enhancement. Interpretation: Robust gadolinium enhancement was observed on 4‐hour‐delayed 3D‐FLAIR images in nearly half of the patients with AUPV/VN, with a good correlation with the results of neurotologic evaluation. The positivity may be determined by the extent of vestibular deficit, timing of imaging acquisition, and possibly by the underlying etiology causing AUPV/VN. MRIs may aid in delineating the involved structures in AUPV/VN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bone scintigraphy is emerging as a confirmatory diagnostic tool for transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA). This study aimed to investigate the frequency and clinical characteristics of patients with incidental cardiac uptake and incidental ATTR-CA on bone scintigraphy. Methods: All bone scintigraphic studies performed at a tertiary teaching hospital between 2011 and 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who underwent bone scintigraphy to confirm ATTR-CA were excluded. Patients with cardiac uptake of grade 2 or 3 were included and divided into two groups: possible ATTR-CA group and noncardiac amyloidosis (non-CA) group. Results: Of the 61,432 bone scintigraphic studies performed on 32,245 patients, 23 (0.07%) had grade 2 or 3 cardiac uptake. Nine of 23 patients (39.1%) were assigned to the non-CA group because they showed cardiac uptake from definite other causes or focal uptake that did not match CA. The remaining 14 patients (60.9%) were classified as the possible ATTR-CA group, and five patients were referred to cardiologists and finally diagnosed with ATTR-CA. Two patients were treated with tafamidis. Patients in the ATTR-CA group were significantly older and had a less frequent history of end-stage renal disease than those in the non-CA group. Other characteristics were comparable in both groups. Conclusions: Although incidental ATTR-CA in patients undergoing bone scintigraphy for noncardiac reasons is uncommon, if cardiac uptake is observed in elderly patients without metastatic calcification associated with end-stage renal disease, further diagnostic work-up for ATTR-CA as a cause of undiagnosed heart failure should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A clinical scale fully dedicated to evaluating ocular motor abnormalities is required for now. We investigated the utility of a recently developed Scale for Ocular motor Disorders in Ataxia (SODA) in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA). We prospectively assessed SODA in consecutive patients with MSA between August 2021 and August 2023 at the Korea University Medical Center. The results of the clinical exam-based SODA were compared with those measured using video-oculography (VOG-guided SODA). We also compared the findings with other established clinical scales targeting patients with MSA, including the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) I-II, Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor part (UPDRS-III), Scale for Assessment of Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Composite Autonomic Symptom Score-31 (COMPASS-31), and Composite Autonomic Severity Score (CASS). Twenty patients were enrolled in our study (17 with cerebellar-type MSA and three with Parkinson-type MSA). Scores ranged from 1 to 14 (median [interquartile range (IQR)] = 8 [5−10]). Among the subscales, saccades had a median score of 2.5 (IQR = 1–3), followed by ocular pursuit (1 [0–1]), nystagmus (1 [0–2]), saccadic intrusions (1 [0–1]), vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) (0.5 [0–1]), ocular alignment (0 [0–1]), and VOR cancellation (1 [0–1]). The clinical-exam-based SODA (p = 0.020) and VOG-guided SODA (p = 0.034) positively correlated with disease duration. No correlation was found between clinical exam-based SODA and other scales. Skew deviation, gaze-evoked nystagmus, VOR cancellation, and smooth pursuit had the highest precision among the items. Ocular misalignment and spontaneous and positional nystagmus were frequently false positive and were poorly detected with clinical exam-based SODA. Six patients with repeated evaluation exhibited higher scores, along with deterioration documented on other clinical scales. The SODA can reliably predict neurodegeneration as an additional clinical surrogate in MSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The S239D/I332E mutation in both chain A and chain B of Fc is widely employed to enhance the binding affinity of Fc to its receptor (FcγRIIIa). Despite its popularity in Fc mutation, the kinetic effect of this mutation has not been explored theoretically. This study delves into the impact of S239D and I332E mutations on the association rate between Fc and its receptor by employing computational modeling and transition complex theory. It was revealed that the double mutant exerts the most significant effect, followed by the S239D single mutant and then the I332E single mutant, as evidenced by their association rate constants. We also assessed the mutation effect on the dissociation rate constant indirectly by utilizing experimentally determined binding affinities and the estimated association rate constants. The mutation influence on dissociation outweighs its impact on association, although with varying degrees among the mutants. In particular, the double mutant demonstrated the highest impact on dissociation, while the effects were relatively weak for the two single mutants. These mutation effects on the kinetics of the Fc–Fc receptor interaction correlate with specific molecular interactions at the binding interfaces of the mutant complexes, providing valuable insights for the design of Fc–Fc receptor binding and contributing to our understanding of these crucial interactions in immunology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the mediating role of depression and anxiety on the relationship between fear of disease progression (FoP) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and the moderating role of social support in the FoP-depression/anxiety-ART adherence relationship in persons with HIV/AIDS (PWHA). 202 PWHA completed self-report measures. Simple mediation and moderated mediation analyses were performed. FoP was directly and negatively associated with ART adherence, and the mediating role of depression in this relationship was significant. Indirect effect of FoP mediated by anxiety on ART adherence was not significant. The moderating effect of social support was significant in the FoP-depression pathway, while the indirect effect of FoP on ART adherence mediated by depression was greatest at a higher level of social support and lower level of FoP. The results suggest the relevance of high FoP and depression-mediated FoP in ART adherence and social support may attenuate the negative impact of FoP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Video head impulse tests (video-HITs) are commonly used for vestibular evaluation; however, the results can be contaminated by various artifacts, including technical errors, recording problems, and participant factors. Although video-HITs can be used in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), the effect of neck rigidity has not been systematically investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of neck rigidity on video-HIT results in patients with PD. We prospectively recruited 140 consecutive patients with PD (mean age ± standard deviation = 68 ± 10 years, 69 men) between September 2021 and April 2024 at Korea University Medical Center. The video-HIT results were compared with those of 19 age- and sex-matched healthy participants. Neck rigidity was stratified as a subdomain of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor part (MDS-UPDRS-III). In 59 patients, the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain was overestimated in at least one canal plane (58/140, 41%), mostly in the anterior canal (AC, n = 44), followed by the horizontal (HC, n = 15) and posterior canals (PC, n = 7). VOR gain overestimation was also observed in patients with no (18/58, 35%), subtle (20/58, 34%), or mild (17/58, 29%) neck rigidity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that VOR overestimation was positively associated with neck rigidity (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval] = 1.51 [1.01–2.25], p = 0.043). The head velocities of patients decreased during head impulses for the AC (p = 0.033 for the right AC; p = 0.014 for the left AC), whereas eye velocities were similar to those of healthy participants. Our findings suggest that neck rigidity may be a confounder that can contaminate video-HIT results. Thus, the results of video-HITs, especially for the AC, should be interpreted with the context of head velocity during head impulses in patients with neck rigidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoclasts are the cells primarily responsible for inflammation‐induced bone loss, as is particularly seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Increasing evidence suggests that osteoclasts formed under homeostatic versus inflammatory conditions may differ in phenotype. While microRNA‐29‐3p family members (miR‐29a‐3p, miR‐29b‐3p, miR‐29c‐3p) promote the function of RANKL‐induced osteoclasts, the role of miR‐29‐3p during inflammatory TNF‐α‐induced osteoclastogenesis is unknown. We used bulk RNA‐seq, histology, qRT‐PCR, reporter assays, and western blot analysis to examine bone marrow monocytic cell cultures and tissue from male mice in which the function of miR‐29‐3p family members was decreased by expression of a miR‐29‐3p tough decoy (TuD) competitive inhibitor in the myeloid lineage (LysM‐cre). We found that RANKL‐treated monocytic cells expressing the miR‐29‐3p TuD developed a hypercytokinemia/proinflammatory gene expression profile in vitro, which is associated with macrophages. These data support the concept that miR‐29‐3p suppresses macrophage lineage commitment and may have anti‐inflammatory effects. In correlation, when miR‐29‐3p activity was decreased, TNF‐α‐induced osteoclast formation was accentuated in an in vivo model of localized osteolysis and in a cell‐autonomous manner in vitro. Further, miR‐29‐3p targets mouse TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1/Tnfrsf1a), an evolutionarily conserved regulatory mechanism, which likely contributes to the increased TNF‐α signaling sensitivity observed in the miR‐29‐3p decoy cells. Whereas our previous studies demonstrated that the miR‐29‐3p family promotes RANKL‐induced bone resorption, the present work shows that miR‐29‐3p dampens TNF‐α‐induced osteoclastogenesis, indicating that miR‐29‐3p has pleiotropic effects in bone homeostasis and inflammatory osteolysis. Our data supports the concept that the knockdown of miR‐29‐3p activity could prime myeloid cells to respond to an inflammatory challenge and potentially shift lineage commitment toward macrophage, making the miR‐29‐3p family a potential therapeutic target for modulating inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We assessed the differences in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) severity in patients with breast cancer, receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). Methods: CINV severity in patients on anthracycline-based NAC (n = 203) and AC (n = 79) was assessed at baseline (C0) and after the first and fourth chemotherapy using a 10-point Likert scale. Group-by-time interaction term was used to evaluate the effect of the group on changes in CIN (cCIN) and CIV (cCIV) from C0 to the follow-up periods (C1, C4). If insignificant, group effects were analyzed without the interaction term. Subgroup analysis was performed based on age 50. In statistical analyses, sociodemographic and clinical variables that differed between groups were adjusted for. Results: The effect of group by follow-up period was not significant in cCIN and cCIV. The AC group showed a significantly higher change in the severity of cCIN compared to the NAC group (estimated mean = 1.133, 95% CI = 0.104–2.161, p = 0.031), but there was no difference in cCIV. In those ≤ 50 years, significant differences in cCIN severity (estimated mean = 1.294, 95% CI = 0.103–2.484, p = 0.033) were observed, but not in cCIV. In those > 50 years, neither cCIN nor cCIV differed significantly between groups. Conclusions: NAC in breast cancer patients showed less severe CIN than adjuvant chemotherapy AC, but not in those over 50. Clinicians should recognize that the severity of CIN may vary across different chemotherapy settings and adjust their management accordingly. Trial registration: The clinical trial registration () numbers were NCT 01887925 (the registration date is from June 20, 2013, to November 27, 2015) and NCT02011815 (the registration date is from December 10, 2013, to September 22, 2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript represents the official position of the Korean Society of Echocardiography on valvular heart diseases. This position paper focuses on the clinical management of valvular heart diseases with reference to the guidelines recently published by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology. The committee tried to reflect the recently published results on the topic of valvular heart diseases and Korean data by a systematic literature search based on validity and relevance. In part I of this article, we will review and discuss the current position of aortic valve disease in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-Keto-3-deoxy-galactonate (KDGal) serves as a pivotal metabolic intermediate within both the fungal d-galacturonate pathway, which is integral to pectin catabolism, and the bacterial DeLey-Doudoroff pathway for d-galactose catabolism. The presence of KDGal enantiomers, l-KDGal and d-KDGal, varies across these pathways. Fungal pathways generate l-KDGal through the reduction and dehydration of d-galacturonate, whereas bacterial pathways produce d-KDGal through the oxidation and dehydration of d-galactose. Two distinct catabolic routes further metabolize KDGal: a nonphosphorolytic pathway that employs aldolase and a phosphorolytic pathway involving kinase and aldolase. Recent findings have revealed that l-KDGal, identified in the bacterial catabolism of 3,6-anhydro-l-galactose, a major component of red seaweeds, is also catabolized by Escherichia coli, which is traditionally known to be catabolized by specific fungal species, such as Trichoderma reesei. Furthermore, the potential industrial applications of KDGal and its derivatives, such as pyruvate and d- and l-glyceraldehyde, are underscored by their significant biological functions. This review comprehensively outlines the catabolism of l-KDGal and d-KDGal across different biological systems, highlights stereospecific methods for discriminating between enantiomers, and explores industrial application prospects for producing KDGal enantiomers. Key points: • KDGal is a metabolic intermediate in fungal and bacterial pathways • Stereospecific enzymes can be used to identify the enantiomeric nature of KDGal • KDGal can be used to induce pectin catabolism or produce functional materials [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Predicting mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is crucial for timely prescription and treatment of AMI patients, but there are no appropriate AI systems for clinicians. Our primary goal is to develop a reliable and interpretable AI system and provide some valuable insights regarding short, and long-term mortality. Materials and methods We propose the RIAS framework, an end-to-end framework that is designed with reliability and interpretability at its core and automatically optimizes the given model. Using RIAS, clinicians get accurate and reliable predictions which can be used as likelihood, with global and local explanations, and "what if" scenarios to achieve desired outcomes as well. Results We apply RIAS to AMI prognosis prediction data which comes from the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry. We compared FT-Transformer with XGBoost and MLP and found that FT-Transformer has superiority in sensitivity and comparable performance in AUROC and F1 score to XGBoost. Furthermore, RIAS reveals the significance of statin-based medications, beta-blockers, and age on mortality regardless of time period. Lastly, we showcase reliable and interpretable results of RIAS with local explanations and counterfactual examples for several realistic scenarios. Discussion RIAS addresses the "black-box" issue in AI by providing both global and local explanations based on SHAP values and reliable predictions, interpretable as actual likelihoods. The system's "what if" counterfactual explanations enable clinicians to simulate patient-specific scenarios under various conditions, enhancing its practical utility. Conclusion The proposed framework provides reliable and interpretable predictions along with counterfactual examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]