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Glial cells play a significant role in maintaining brain homeostasis and normal brain development, and their functions can be impaired by exposure to endocrine disruptors. 4-n-Nonylphenol (NP), a representative endocrine disruptor, is widely used in personal care products and industrial materials. NP accumulates in various organs, including the brain, of living organisms and adversely influences brain health. However, studies on the effects of NP on glial cells are limited. This study aims to investigate the effects of NP on glial cells using primary mixed glial cells and offspring mice exposed to NP during gestation and lactation. In vitro experiments revealed that NP exposure stimulated the astrocytes and microglia proliferation but not oligodendrocytes. NP exposure activated microglia and reduced myelin protein expression in oligodendrocytes. Moreover, maternal NP exposure increased the numbers of microglia and oligodendrocytes in the cerebral cortex of adult offspring. NP exposure caused anxiety– and depressive-like behaviors in adult mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that maternal NP exposure negatively affects the brain development in adult offspring mice.

Background: A nationwide anti-parasite control program (1969–1995) successfully reduced soil-transmitted helminth infections; however, fish-borne trematode infections persisted in some areas. Since the 2012 National Parasite Infection Survey, information on the current status of intestinal helminth infections has not been updated. Analysis of the current trends in intestinal helminth infections is necessary to prevent and manage parasitic diseases in Korea. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the prevalence of intestinal parasites in 1,211,799 individuals who visited 16 regional branches of the Korea Association of Health Promotion between 2011 and 2020. Examinations were performed using microscopy and Kato’s method. The results were analyzed according to parasite species, year, sex, age, and region of origin. Results: Intestinal helminth infections remained above 2.0% from 2011 to 2014 but decreased to 1.0% by 2020. Clonorchis sinensis had the highest infection rate (1.3%), followed by Metagonimus yokogawai (0.3%) and Trichuris trichiura (0.2%). Men had a higher infection rate (2.4%) than that of women (1.2%). The infection rate was higher among those in their 50s (2.0%), 60s, and older (1.8%). The highest regional infection rates were observed in Gyeongnam (4.8%), Ulsan (3.1%), Gyeongbuk (2.5%), Busan (1.8%), and Jeonnam (1.6%). Conclusion: These results provide valuable insights into the decreasing prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of intestinal helminth infections in the Korean population. Therefore, various control measures are needed to prevent intestinal helminth infections, and continuous monitoring is essential until they are eradicated.

Objectives This study aimed to investigate differences in the anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibody seropositivity rate by age and gender. Methods We collected information on anti-HAV immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M status from samples submitted for HAV antibody testing in 2012–2022. A total of 1,333,615 cases were included in the analysis. Results By age, the seropositivity rate was represented by a U-shaped curve, such that the rate was low for the group aged 20 to 39 years and higher in those who were younger or older. Over time, the curve shifted rightward, and the seropositivity rate declined gradually in the group aged 35 to 39 years and older. A gender-based difference in antibody seropositivity rate was especially noticeable in the group aged 20 to 29 years. This difference between genders widened in the participants’ early 20s—when men in the Republic of Korea enlist in the military—and the divergence continued subsequently for older individuals. Conclusion These results indicate a higher risk of severe infection among older individuals and a gender-based difference in seroprevalence. Therefore, it is necessary to implement policies to promote vaccination in adults.

Background/Objectives: Owing to the growing resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to conventional antibiotics, the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for the treatment of MRSA-infected cutaneous wounds poses a significant challenge. Methods: Here, by using polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), emerging biodegradable and biocompatible polymers naturally produced by various microorganisms, we developed clindamycin-loaded PHA nanoparticles (Cly-PHA NPs) as a novel approach for the treatment of MRSA-infected cutaneous wounds. Results: Cly-PHA NPs were characterized in terms of mean particle size (216.2 ± 38.9 nm), polydispersity index (0.093 ± 0.03), zeta potential (11.3 ± 0.5 mV), and drug loading (6.76 ± 0.19%). Owing to the sustained release of clindamycin over 2 days provided by the PHA, Cly-PHA NPs exhibited potent antibacterial effects against MRSA. Furthermore, Cly-PHA NPs significantly facilitated wound healing in a mouse model of MRSA-infected full-thickness wounds by effectively eradicating MRSA from the wound bed. Conclusions: Therefore, our results suggest that Cly-PHA NPs offer a promising approach for combating MRSA infections and accelerating cutaneous wound healing.

Abstract Background Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, extensive testing was undertaken by independent clinical laboratories (ICLs), yet limited research exists on this matter. Drawing from Green Cross Laboratories (GC Labs)' pandemic response experience, this study seeks to offer insights for preparation for the next pandemic. Methods This retrospective study analyzed the outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (SARS-CoV-2 rRT PCR) tests administered by GC Labs for COVID-19 diagnosis, upon request by different organizations, between February 2020 and April 2022. The distribution of institutions that requested the tests, the type of tests, and the positive rate were analyzed. We investigated resource allocation details. Results ICLs were responsible for conducting 85.6% of all tests carried out under South Korea’s COVID-19 testing policy during the pandemic. The availability of free testing regardless of symptoms led to a significant increase in the use of pooled tests, which accounted for more than 80% of all tests conducted after August 2021. The gender and age distribution of COVID-19 cases nationwide and GC Labs’ positive cases were similar. When we analyzed the positive rate by requesting organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite an overall nationwide positivity rate of 35%, high-risk facilities exhibited a positivity rate of less than 5% by maintaining preemptive testing. The most notable increase in resources during the pandemic was seen in human resource input. Conclusions South Korea's ICLs were able to conduct large volumes of testing during the COVID-19 pandemic because of their logistics and computer systems, scalable testing space, and trained testing personnel. They also had the flexibility to bring in additional resources to expand testing capacity because they are specialized testing organizations. Hence, ICLs could execute the pooled test that the government had introduced for extensive general population screening. The preemptive periodic testing of high-risk populations kept the positive rate much lower than in the general population. This study's findings will aid in refining mass testing-based policies for the next pandemic.

Objectives Microplastics are released into the aquatic environment through multiple pathways including runoff, atmospheric sedimentation, aquaculture, and fishing and pose a hazard to organisms. Public concerns regarding microplastics are raising as microplastic pollution increases. A lot of studies have been evaluated the behavior of microplastics in the environment, suggesting that microplastics remain a prolonged period in the environment due to their persistence and can interact with other contaminants. Microplastics as carriers of coexisting contaminants may pose a more severe toxicity to organisms than microplastics alone. In this study, we investigated the behavior of microplastics as carriers of environmental contaminants and introduced a potential ecotoxicity of microplastics carrying other contaminants. Methods The behavior of microplastics as carriers of contaminants were classified as adsorption mechanisms. Research literature regarding ecological risk of microplastics carrying contaminants was reviewed in papers published between October 2003 and August 2023. Results and Discussion Adsorption of contaminants onto microplastics are mainly involved in hydrophobic interaction, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bond, and Van der Waals forces. The co-exposure of microplastics with contaminants to organisms can induce oxidative stress and bioaccumulation and reduce the survival and reproduction rates, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic efficiency. On the other hand, a few studies reported that the co-exposure of microplastics with contaminants can decrease the toxicity to organisms. Conclusion This paper provides basic information regarding the adsorption interactions of microplastics with diverse contaminants and their ecological effects on organisms. The contents will help to understand a potential function of microplastics as a carrier of coexisting contaminants in aquatic environment and their biological risk.

Inspired by erythrocytes that contain oxygen-carrying hemoglobin (Hb) and that exhibit photo-driven activity, we introduce homogenous-sized erythrocyte-like Hb microgel (μGel) systems (5–6 μm) that can (i) emit heat, (ii) supply oxygen, and (iii) generate reactive oxygen species (ROS; 1O2) in response to near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation. Hb μGels consist of Hb, bovine serum albumin (BSA), chlorin e6 (Ce6) and erbium@lutetium upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs; ∼35 nm) that effectively convert 808 nm NIR light to 660 nm visible light. These Hb μGels are capable of releasing oxygen to help generate sufficient reactive oxygen species (1O2) from UCNPs/Ce6 under severely hypoxic condition upon NIR stimulation for efficient photodynamic activity. Moreover, the Hb μGels emit heat and increase surface temperature due to NIR light absorption by heme (iron protoporphyrin IX) and display photothermal activity. By changing the Hb/UCNP/Ce6 ratio and controlling the amount of NIR laser irradiation, it is possible to formulate bespoke Hb μGels with either photothermal or photodynamic activity or both in the context of combined therapeutic effect. These Hb μGels effectively suppress highly hypoxic 4T1 cell spheroid growth and xenograft mice tumors in vivo.

Abstract Background Despite the great potential of FUS-BBB disruption (FUS-BBBD), it is still controversial whether FUS-BBBD acts as an inducing factor of neuro-inflammation or not, and the biological responses after FUS-BBBD triggers the inflammatory process are poorly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety window for FUS levels based on a comprehensive safety assessment. Methods The mice were treated with two different ultrasound parameters (0.25 MPa and 0.42 MPa) in the thalamus region of brain. The efficacy of BBB opening was verified by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and the cavitation monitoring. The transcriptome analysis was performed to investigate the molecular response for the two BBBD conditions after FUS-mediated BBB opening in time-dependent manners. Histological analysis was used for evaluation of the tissue damage, neuronal degeneration, and activation of glial cells induced by FUS-BBBD. Results The BBBD, as quantified by the K trans , was approximately threefold higher in 0.42 MPa-treated group than 0.25 MPa-treated group. While the minimal tissue/cellular damage was found in 0.25 MPa-treated group, visible damages containing microhemorrhages and degenerating neurons were detected in 0.42 MPa-treated group in accordance with the extent of BBBD. In transcriptome analysis, 0.42 MPa-treated group exhibited highly dynamic changes in the expression levels of an inflammatory response or NF-κB pathway-relative genes in a time-dependent manner whereas, 0.25 MPa was not altered. Interestingly, although it is clear that 0.42 MPa induces neuroinflammation through glial activation, neuroprotective properties were evident by the expression of A2-type astrocytes. Conclusions Our findings propose that a well-defined BBBD parameter of 0.25 MPa could ensure the safety without cellular/tissue damage or sterile inflammatory response in the brain. Furthermore, the fact that the excessive sonication parameters at 0.42 MPa could induce a sterile inflammation response via glial activation suggested the possibility that could lead to tissue repair toward the homeostasis of the brain microenvironment through A2-type reactive astrocytes.

Abstract This study used machine learning and a national prospective cohort registry database to analyze the major risk factors of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, including environmental factors. The data consisted of 10,353 VLBW infants from the Korean Neonatal Network database from January 2013 to December 2017. The dependent variable was NEC. Seventy-four predictors, including ambient temperature and particulate matter, were included. An artificial neural network, decision tree, logistic regression, naïve Bayes, random forest, and support vector machine were used to evaluate the major predictors of NEC. Among the six prediction models, logistic regression and random forest had the best performance (accuracy: 0.93 and 0.93, area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve: 0.73 and 0.72, respectively). According to random forest variable importance, major predictors of NEC were birth weight, birth weight Z-score, maternal age, gestational age, average birth year temperature, birth year, minimum birth year temperature, maximum birth year temperature, sepsis, and male sex. To the best of our knowledge, the performance of random forest in this study was among the highest in this line of research. NEC is strongly associated with ambient birth year temperature, as well as maternal and neonatal predictors.

Objectives Microplastics, known as pieces of polymer debris less than 5 mm, result from plastic particles originally manufactured to small size or fragmentation from larger plastic items. Due to the persistence, microplastics can remain and accumulate in land and ocean for a prolonged period. Microplastics enter ecosystems and cause various problems. Trophic transfer of microplastics can be occurred in food chain, accordingly humans also can ingest microplastics. The accumulation of microplastics raises concerns regarding impacts on human health and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Here, we discuss the source and route of microplastics found in environments, and ecological effects of microplastics on organisms. Methods We explore how microplastics enter terrestrial, atmospheric, and aquatic environments and influence individual animals, plants, and microorganisms living in diverse ecosystems. Research literature is reviewed microplastics in terms of ecological risk published between 2010s and June 2022. Results and Discussion Diverse human activities (e.g., industrial and agricultural activity) accelerate the production of microplastics and result in a release of microplastics to surrounding ecosystems. The microplastics can circulate among the terrestrial, atmospheric, and aquatic environments. The exposure of microplastics can induce oxidative stress, damage of intestinal cells, and reduce the body size in animals. In plants, length of root, biomass, and chlorophyll content are decreased upon exposure to microplastics. In addition, microplastics inhibit the growth of microalgae by reducing algal chlorophyll contents and cause oxidative stress. Conclusion This paper includes basic information regarding the occurrence and accumulation of microplastics and their ecological effects on organisms. The contents will help to understand behavior of microplastics in diverse environments and to further evaluate ecological impacts of microplastics.

Abstract Introduction The importance of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in the bioenergetics of glioblastoma (GBM) is being realized. Etomoxir (ETO), a carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) inhibitor exerts cytotoxic effects in GBM, which involve interrupting the FAO pathway. We hypothesized that FAO inhibition could affect the outcomes of current standard temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy against GBM. Methods The FAO-related gene expression was compared between GBM and the tumor-free cortex. Using four different GBM tumorspheres (TSs), the effects of ETO and/or TMZ was analyzed on cell viability, tricarboxylate (TCA) cycle intermediates and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production to assess metabolic changes. Alterations in tumor stemness, invasiveness, and associated transcriptional changes were also measured. Mouse orthotopic xenograft model was used to elucidate the combinatory effect of TMZ and ETO. Results GBM tissues exhibited overexpression of FAO-related genes, especially CPT1A, compared to the tumor-free cortex. The combined use of ETO and TMZ further inhibited TCA cycle and ATP production than single uses. This combination treatment showed superior suppression effects compared to treatment with individual agents on the viability, stemness, and invasiveness of GBM TSs, as well as better downregulation of FAO-related gene expression. The results of in vivo study showed prolonged survival outcomes in the combination treatment group. Conclusion ETO, an FAO inhibitor, causes a lethal energy reduction in the GBM TSs. When used in combination with TMZ, ETO effectively reduces GBM cell stemness and invasiveness and further improves survival. These results suggest a potential novel treatment option for GBM.

Abstract This study aimed to analyze major predictors of adverse birth outcomes in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants including particulate matter concentration (PM10), using machine learning and the national prospective cohort. Data consisted of 10,423 VLBW infants from the Korean Neonatal Network database during January 2013–December 2017. Five adverse birth outcomes were considered as the dependent variables, i.e., gestational age less than 28 weeks, gestational age less than 26 weeks, birth weight less than 1000 g, birth weight less than 750 g and small-for-gestational age. Thirty-three predictors were included and the artificial neural network, the decision tree, the logistic regression, the Naïve Bayes, the random forest and the support vector machine were used for predicting the dependent variables. Among the six prediction models, the random forest had the best performance (accuracy 0.79, area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve 0.72). According to the random forest variable importance, major predictors of adverse birth outcomes were maternal age (0.2131), birth-month (0.0767), PM10 month (0.0656), sex (0.0428), number of fetuses (0.0424), primipara (0.0395), maternal education (0.0352), pregnancy-induced hypertension (0.0347), chorioamnionitis (0.0336) and antenatal steroid (0.0318). In conclusion, adverse birth outcomes had strong associations with PM10 month as well as maternal and fetal factors.

Traditional lipid parameters—including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and non-HDL-C (calculated as TC minus HDL-C)—have long been used as indicators of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The laboratory records of 9604 Korean adults who underwent traditional lipid panel tests (TC, TG, and HDL), as well as ApoB testing, were analyzed to evaluate the prevalence of dyslipidemia and high CVD risk (utilizing the NCEP ATP III criteria for traditional lipid panels and various ApoB test cutoffs recommended by international guidelines (145 mg/dL, 130 mg/dL, and 100 mg/dL)). The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia, as determined by traditional lipid panel criteria, was 27.4%. Utilizing the ApoB cutoffs of 145 mg/dL, 130 mg/dL, and 100 mg/dL resulted in prevalence figures of 5.3%, 11.0%, and 36.3%, respectively. The concordance in dyslipidemia classification between traditional lipid tests and ApoB at cutoffs of 145 mg/dL, 130 mg/dL, and 100 mg/dL was 78.4%, 81.3%, and 74.7%, respectively. Up to 17.5% of participants, based on an ApoB cutoff of ≥100 mg/dL, exhibited isolated high ApoB in the absence of traditional lipid test anomalies. Incorporating ApoB testing could enhance the identification of Koreans at high CVD risk.

Purpose: This study investigated the impacts of disease perception, stigma, distress, and physical symptom experience on the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on 127 colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy from June 2023 to November 2023. The collected data were analyzed using the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression analysis in SPSS 26. Results: The participants' occupation (β=14, p=.002), religion (β=11, p=.018), disease perception (β=-.24, p<.001), stigma (β=-.12, p=.028), distress (β=-.44, p<.001), and physical symptom experience (β=-.16, p=.004) were significant factors influencing the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and the explanatory power of the model was found to be 78%. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest the need to prepare various intervention strategies to comprehensively manage disease perception, stigma, distress, and physical symptom experiences in colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, thereby improving their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the reference intervals for Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), a valuable biomarker for cardiovascular diseases, in Korean adults who had undergone health check-ups and showed normal lipid levels under traditional lipid tests, including total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, along with ApoB. We compared the findings with different cutoffs for ApoB from international clinical guidelines. Among a total of 264,105 traditional lipid test sets, only 464 (0.2%) included ApoB tests, indicating underutilization of this test in health check-up clinics in Korea. From these 464 samples, 334 ApoB results (164 men and 170 women) with normal traditional lipid test results were used to establish reference intervals. Using the parametric method (mean ± 2 SD), the reference intervals ranged from 46 to 134 mg/dL for men and 49 to 129 mg/dL for women. Employing the non-parametric method (central 95th percentile value), the reference intervals ranged from 50 to 131 mg/dL for men and 51 to 127 mg/dL for women. The prevalence of high ApoB did not significantly differ by sex when considering the established reference intervals for each sex and the cutoffs recommended by international clinical guidelines. This study enhances knowledge on ApoB reference intervals in the Korean population, and it will in aid test result interpretation for clinicians and laboratories.

Abstract Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with limited functional recovery. Despite advances in neuroscience, realistic therapeutic treatments for SCI remain unavailable. In this study, the effects of non-invasive ultrasound (US) treatment on behavior and inflammatory responses were evaluated in a rat model of SCI. Adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to spinal cord contusion injury. Two different US parameters (SCIU5: 5% and SCIU40: 40% duty cycle) were applied, and their effects on behavioral recovery after SCI were quantified. Tissue and neuronal responses were detected. Immunofluorescence was used to detect inflammatory markers. In the rat model of SCI, motor function was more effectively restored, and the lesion cavity area was smaller in the SCIU5 group. Furthermore, the SCIU5 protocol elicited an anti-inflammatory response at the injury site by reducing degenerative FJC-labeled neurons, macrophage/microglia activation, and infiltration. Thus, the lesion area decreased, and tissue density increased. Meanwhile, the SCIU40 protocol did not improve motor function or induce an anti-inflammatory response at the injury site. The SCIU5 protocol effectively accelerated the rate of improved exercise performance in the rat model while reducing inflammation. Accordingly, appropriate US stimulation may represent a promising treatment modality for SCI with beneficial anti-inflammatory effects.

Purpose Pediatricians have a significant responsibility to educate mothers about the importance of breastfeeding. However, there have been minimal efforts in the courses of resident training in Korea. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the change in knowledge and attitude before and after a 4-week breastfeeding educational intervention among multicenter residents. Methods Prospective interventional educational research was designed for residents at eight training hospitals in Korea. Institutional reviews were obtained in each hospital. The education curriculum consisted of 14 courses regarding breastfeeding theory and practice. These materials were used to teach pediatric residents for 4 weeks. Knowledge-based tests were administered before the course, and re-tests were administered after the course using different test items of similar levels. Test scores and survey responses were compared before and after the intervention. Results A total of 73 residents (1st year 20, 2nd year 23, 3rd year 16, and 4th year residents 14) from eight training hospitals completed the intervention. Their average age was 30.3±2.9 years, 17 (23.3%) were male, 22 (30.1%) were married, and eight had more than one child of their own. The mean pre-test score was 61.8±13.4 and the mean post-test score was 78.3±7.5 (P

Objectives We examined the combined effects of behavioural inhibition and behavioural activation, on one hand, and locus of control, on the other hand, on different categories of smoking behaviour (non-smoking, ex-smoking, occasional smoking, daily smoking).Design This study adopted a cross-sectional design. Participants completed questionnaires regarding demographics, smoking patterns, behavioural inhibition/behavioural activation systems and locus of control.Setting The study was conducted across four companies from the transportation, cooling plant and education sectors in Singapore.Participants Three hundred sixty-nine male working adults were included in the final sample.Results Corroborating previous research, a logistic regression model examining behavioural inhibition/behavioural activation systems revealed that the fun-seeking aspect of behavioural activation was a unique predictor in distinguishing non-smokers from daily smokers (OR=1.24, p=0.012). By contrast, in a separate model examining locus of control, external locus of control was found to be a unique predictor in distinguishing non-smokers from daily smokers (OR=1.13, p

Abstract Background Limited data are available for validation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) calculation (LDLcal) in the adult Korean population. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new equation for LDLcal and to compare it with previous such equations in a Korean population. Methods A new equation for LDLcal was developed (LDLChoi). LDLChoi and 11 other previously published equations were applied and compared with directly measured LDL concentration (LDLdirect) in a development cohort (population 1), an independent validation cohort in the same laboratory (population 2), and the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017 cohort (population 3). Results Among the 12 equations, the newly-developed equation (LDLChoi = total cholesterol – 0.87 x high-density lipoprotein cholesterol – 0.13 x triglycerides) had the highest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the lowest mean systemic difference and median absolute percentage error in populations 1 and 2 but not in population 3. Subgroup analysis showed good agreement between LDLChoi and LDLdirect (ICC > 0.75) in population 2, whose LDLdirect 400 mg/dL), equation accuracy varied. Categorization concordance according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria with the other 11 equations were less than 80%; that of LDLChoi was 87.6 and 87.4% in populations 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusions Accuracy of 12 equations for LDLcal varied by cohort and subgroup based on LDLdirect and triglycerides. A laboratory-specific equation for LDLcal and/or LDLdirect may be needed for accurate evaluation of LDL status.

Objectives Plastic pollution has been aggravated due to the massive use of disposable products and single-use face masks since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. There is growing interest regarding detection and identification of plastic pollution in daily life. The aim of this study is (1) to investigate suitability of a fluorescent labelling method for the detection of polymers, (2) to detect microplastics in personal care goods, and (3) to identify the detected plastic particles. Methods In order to detect plastic particles in real samples, a 1-pyrenebutyric acid N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester (PBN) fluorophore was used as a dye for staining plastic particles. First, the capability of PBN was evaluated by staining a model polymer of polyethylene (PE) particles, and its desorption and photobleaching was also investigated. Using the optimum staining condition, microplastics were detected in a laboratory-controlled sample and commercially available products, specifically in cleansers, scrubs, and toothpastes. Finally, the detected microplastics were identified using an attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) analysis. Results and Discussion The PE particles fluoresced blue light after being stained with PBN at a concentration of 100 μg/mL for 3-5 min without post treatments (e.g., fixation and drying), but the particles should be detected within 24 h due to the photobleaching of PBN. The desorption of PBN fluorophore occurred when the stained PE particles were washed with 25% acetone rather than rinse-off with deionized (DI) water. All of the tested personal care goods contained plastic particles and various sizes and shapes (e.g., spherical, rounded, and irregular shapes) of particles were found in different types and brands of products. The detected particles were identified as PE, polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymers. Conclusions The PBN was shown to effectively stain polymer particles and it allowed visual identification of microplastics in personal care goods. Various types and sizes of polymers were included into the commercially available products as ingredients, indicating a primary source of plastic pollution in aquatic environment.

Abstract Background Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) signaling is considered to regulate anti-inflammatory responses in macrophages, dendritic cell maturation, osteoclast development, induction of obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. However, little is known regarding the effect of TREM2 on natural killer (NK) cells. Results Here, we demonstrated for the first time that CD3−CD122+NK1.1+ precursor NK (pNK) cells expressed TREM2 and their population increased in TREM2-overexpressing transgenic (TREM2-TG) mice compared with that in female C57BL/6 J wild type (WT) mice. Both NK cell-activating receptors and NK cell-associated genes were expressed at higher levels in various tissues of TREM2-TG mice than in WT mice. In addition, bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) of TREM2-TG mice (TG-HSCs) successfully differentiated into NK cells in vitro, with a higher yield from TG-HSCs than from WT-HSCs. In contrast, TREM2 signaling inhibition by TREM2-Ig or a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor affected the expression of the NK cell receptor repertoire and decreased the expression levels of NK cell-associated genes, resulting in significant impairment of NK cell differentiation. Moreover, in melanoma-bearing WT mice, injection of bone marrow cells from TREM2-TG mice exerted greater antitumor effects than that with cells from WT control mice. Conclusions Collectively, our data clearly showed that TREM2 promoted NK cell development and tumor regression, suggesting TREM2 as a new candidate for cancer immunotherapy.

Background: Gintonin is a ginseng-derived exogenous G-protein–coupled lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand, which exhibits in vitro and in vivo functions against Alzheimer disease (AD) through lysophosphatidic acid 1/3 receptors. A recent study demonstrated that systemic treatment with gintonin enhances paracellular permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) through the LPA1/3 receptor. However, little is known about whether gintonin can enhance brain delivery of donepezil (DPZ) (Aricept), which is a representative cognition-improving drug used in AD clinics. In the present study, we examined whether systemic administration of gintonin can stimulate brain delivery of DPZ. Methods: We administered gintonin and DPZ alone or coadministered gintonin with DPZ intravenously or orally to rats. Then we collected the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and serum and determined the DPZ concentration through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Results: Intravenous, but not oral, coadministration of gintonin with DPZ increased the CSF concentration of DPZ in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Gintonin-mediated enhancement of brain delivery of DPZ was blocked by Ki16425, a LPA1/3 receptor antagonist. Coadministration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) + gintonin with DPZ similarly increased CSF DPZ concentration. However, gintonin-mediated enhancement of brain delivery of DPZ was blocked by axitinip, a VEGF receptor antagonist. Mannitol, a BBB disrupting agent that increases the BBB permeability, enhanced gintonin-mediated enhancement of brain delivery of DPZ. Conclusions: We found that intravenous, but not oral, coadministration of gintonin facilitates brain delivery of DPZ from plasma via LPA1/3 and VEGF receptors. Gintonin is a potential candidate as a ginseng-derived novel agent for the brain delivery of DPZ for treatment of patients with AD.

Purpose Preterm infants are known to be at a risk of neurodevelopmental delay; however, limited data are available on the outcomes of moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT) infants (born at 32 to 36 weeks’ gestation). The Korean Developmental Screening Test (K-DST) for infants and children is a recently designed screening test for Korean infants and children. The current study aimed to evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcomes of MLPT infants and investigate the risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental delay. Methods A total of 119 MLPT infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary hospital in Korea were enrolled. The infants were assessed during two follow-up periods (first: 16 to 24 months of corrected age; second: 24 to 41 months of corrected age). The perinatal factors in the NICU that were associated with delayed development were analyzed. Results In all sections of the K-DST, the proportion of infants with developmental delay was higher in the second period (5.6% to 9.3%) than in the first period (0.9% to 5.4%). A total of 10% to 17% of the infants presented with persistent delay throughout the two periods based on five sections of the K-DST. Male sex, oxygen therapy duration, and younger maternal age were the risk factors affecting at least one section during the second period. Conclusion MLPT infants showed greater developmental delay than the general infant population. Considering that early intervention is important for good longterm outcomes, close observation of male MLPT infants and MLPT infants who received oxygen therapy is warranted.

Abstract Oleanolic acid has been used only as a subsidiary agent in cosmetic products. The aim of the study is to show the effect of oleanolic acid as an active ingredient for the alleviation of wrinkles in humans and to develop a polymeric micelle formulation that enables poorly soluble oleanolic acid to be used as a main ingredient in cosmetic products for reducing wrinkles. The solubility of oleanolic acid was evaluated in solubilizers, surfactants, and polymers. The particle sizes and shapes of polymeric micelles containing oleanolic acid were evaluated by electrophoretic light scattering spectrophotometer and scanning electron cryomicroscopy. Encapsulation efficiency and skin permeation were measured by HPLC. Stability of the polymeric micelles stored at 40 °C for 3 months was evaluated by visual observation, particle size measurement, and oleanolic acid content measurement. Polymeric micelles in final product ampoule form were applied around the eyes of 23 female subjects for 8 weeks. Five skin parameters were evaluated by optical profilometry every 4 weeks for 8 weeks. In addition, professionals made visual observations of the skin and a human skin irritation study was conducted. Polymeric micelles of oleanolic acid with a particle size of less than 100 nm were prepared using Capryol 90® and poloxamer. The skin permeation rate of the oleanolic acid in the polymeric micelles was higher than that in the other solutions made of oleanolic acid dispersed in 2 different surfactants. No significant changes in particle size, color, or oleanolic acid content were observed, and the polymeric micelles stored at 40 °C for 3 months did not undergo phase separation. After 8 weeks of application, skin irritation had not developed and all five parameters evaluated by optical profilometry as well as the visual evaluation scores were significantly improved. This study showed that the polymeric micelles of oleanolic acid prepared in this study were stable and effective at alleviating wrinkles in humans as the principal active ingredient. Based on these findings, it is expected that polymeric micelles of oleanolic acid can be widely used in cosmetic applications.

Purpose Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is a potent selective pulmonary vasodilator and an important treatment for newborn infants with hypoxic respiratory failure due to persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea first approved iNO in 2009 for use as a new drug to treat hypoxic res piratory failure with PPHN. A post-marketing surveillance study (PMSS) was conducted to assess the effectiveness and safety of the iNO treatment. We evaluated the clinical status of the iNO treatment currently available in Korea by using the PMSS data. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the PMSS data from 22 hospitals in Korea from October 2014 to September 2018. Altogether, 97 infants were enrolled and divided into early response (ER), delayed response (DR), no response (NR), and death groups according to their response to the iNO treatment. Results The ER group included 52 infants (53.6%); DR group, 33 (34.0%); NR group, seven (7.2%); and death group, five (5.2%). The iNO treatment was initiated within 14 days after birth at a concentration of 20 ppm. The median treatment duration was 91.5 hours (69.0 to 134.3) in all the infants. Of the infants, 43 (44.3%) received the treatment for >96 hours. Fifty-one infants (52.6%) needed >20 ppm of iNO, and 10 (10.5%) needed a maximum of 80 ppm of iNO. None of the infants had hypermethemoglobinemia or an alarm report of NO2. Conclusion Korean neonatologists reported that a large proportion of the infants with PPHN showed improvement in oxygenation after treatment with the approved iNO. These infants received relatively longer durations and higher concentrations of the iNO treatment than the current recommendations, without any side and adverse effect.

Low-grade systemic inflammation and stress increase vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, the authors show that inflammation and stress-induced changes in higher order cognitive networks increase vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder.

Background: Humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HHFNC) has gained popularity because it is easier to use, more comfortable for babies, and advantageous for mother-infant bonding. HHFNC is not inferior to other non-invasive ventilators for preventing adverse outcomes, but more studies are needed to ensure the safe use of HHFNC as an initial respiratory support for newborns. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for treatment failure of HHFNC as an initial respiratory support in newborns with respiratory distress after birth. Methods: We included 97 newborns who required non-invasive respiratory support within 24 h after birth. The success group included 68 infants who were successfully managed only on HHFNC, and 29 infants were the failure group who required other respiratory support because of respiratory acidosis, hypoxia, or apnea. Results: Compared with the success group, the failure group had lower GA, a higher rate of antenatal steroid use, prolonged rupture of membrane, lower pH, higher pCO2 on blood-gas analysis after HHFNC application and higher incidence of respiratory distress syndrome of newborn (RDS). After adjusting for GA, higher FiO2 settings during acidosis, hypercarbia after the application of HHFNC shown on blood-gas analysis and the presence of RDS remained significant. The rate of treatment failure was 16.2% for ≥36 weeks, 19.3% for ≥34 weeks, and 22.1% for ≥33 weeks. Conclusion: Treatment failure of HHFNC should be considered a risk for newborns of less than 34 weeks and infants with respiratory distress from RDS. Higher FiO2 settings during HHFNC, and acidosis and hypercarbia after the application of HHFNC shown on blood-gas analysis may help identify high-risk newborns for other non-invasive ventilators or intubation. Key Words: high-flow nasal cannula, newborn infant, noninvasive ventilation, respiratory distress

Objective: Although symptomatic treatment is the most preferred treatment strategy for proven symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a considerable number of infants only received conservative treatment without any pharmacological or surgical interventions in the lower gestational age and lower birth weight group in Korea. We compared in-hospital outcomes of infants treated conservatively without any intervention and those of infants managed by other therapeutic strategies in extremely preterm infants with symptomatic PDA.Methods: A prospectively collected cohort study for 2,303 infants with gestational ages

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease worldwide, causing progressive cognitive decline, memory impairment, and neurological deficits. Methylene blue (MB), an antioxidant, has emerged as a potential drug for the treatment of AD owing to its cognitive improvement and neuroprotective functions. Despite the small molecular size of MB, which can cross the BBB, the therapeutic effective dosage using a BBB-permeable delivery system in a specific brain localization remains unclear. In this study, we presented magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) as a delivery system to enhance BBB permeability for the effective treatment of AD. MRgFUS using two ultrasound intensities (0.25 and 0.32 MPa) was used to intravenously deliver MB to the hippocampal region. Compared with treatment with 0.25 MPa FUS, treatment with 0.32 MPa FUS significantly enhanced MB brain accumulation. Deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neural cell damage was significantly reduced in 0.32 MPa FUS/MB-treated APP/PS1 mice. Furthermore, aquaporin-4 expression increased significantly in the 0.32 MPa FUS and 0.32 MPa FUS/MB groups without glial fibrillary acidic protein activation. The results from this study demonstrate that FUS improved MB delivery to the brain, and FUS/MB combination treatment reduced the number of Aβ plaques. This study revealed the potential of FUS-BBBD as an effective strategy to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic drugs for AD.

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) has emerged as a novel material for replacing various plastics used in the medical field. However, its application as a drug-delivery carrier for colitis-targeted delivery has not been explored. In this study, we used biosynthesized PHB combined with Eudragit FS (EFS) and cyclosporine A (CSA) to develop pH-responsive controlled CSA-releasing nanoparticles (CSA-PENPs) for colitis-targeted drug delivery and demonstrated its enhanced therapeutic efficacy in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced murine colitis model. PHB was successfully biosynthesized in the bacterium Cupriavidus necator, as demonstrated by 1H-NMR and FT-IR analyses. CSA-PENPs were fabricated via the oil-in-water emulsion solvent evaporation method. Owing to the potent pH-responsive and sustained drug release properties provided by PHB and EFS, CSA-PENPs could deliver a sufficient amount of CSA to inflamed tissues in the distal colon; in contrast, CSA-loaded EFS nanoparticles displayed premature burst release before reaching the target site. Due to enhanced CSA delivery to colitis tissues, CSA-PENPs exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effects in the DSS-induced murine colitis model. Overall, CSA-PENPs could be a promising drug-delivery system for treating ulcerative colitis.

Urease-producing (ureolytic) microbes have given rise to environmental and public health concerns because they are thought to contribute to emissions of ammonia and to be a virulence factor for infections. Therefore, it is highly important to have the ability to detect such microbes. In this study, a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based colorimetric film sensor was employed for the detection of urease-producing microbes. The sensor was able to detect the enzyme activity of commercially available urease, as the color and absorbance spectrum of the sensor was observed to change upon being exposed to the reaction catalyzed by urease. The ratio of the absorbance of the sensor at 640 nm to that at 460 nm (A640/A460) was linearly proportional to the amount of urease present. The performance of the sensor was validated by the results of a sensitivity and selectivity analysis towards thirteen different bacterial strains. Based on the development of blue color of the sensor, the tested bacteria were classified as strongly positive, moderately positive, weakly positive, or negative urease producers. The response of the sensor to ureolytic bacteria was verified using the urease inhibitor phenyl phosphorodiamidate (PPDA). Additionally, the sensor achieved the selective detection of ureolytic bacteria even in the presence of non-ureolytic bacteria. In addition, a used sensor could be reverted to its original state by being subjected to simple aeration, and in this way the same sensor could be used at least five times for the detection of bacterial urease activity.

We aimed to investigate intra-individual changes in total procollagen-type 1 N-terminal pro-peptide (P1NP), a biochemical marker of bone turnover, to understand patient populations and test utilization in a Korean adult population while considering different definitions of least significant changes by sex, age, and medical institution type. Overall, 31,501 P1NP tests were performed on 24,644 Korean adults (3389 men and 21,255 women) with a median age of 68.9 years (interquartile range, IQR, 61.2–77.2) for osteoporosis evaluation. Among these, 1331 (5.4%) patients (127 men and 1204 women) underwent ≥3 follow-up P1NP measurements. The median follow-up period was 12.5 months (IQR, 11.7–15.9). Among 1331 patients, 64.4% experienced a decrease in P1NP and 35.6% experienced an increase in P1NP during follow-up. Among these, the proportion of patients who experienced serum P1NP changes ≥14.4% from baseline was 92.3%, and the proportion of patients who achieved ≤40 ng/mL (a median level of premenopausal Korean women) during follow-up was 31.8%. The overall proportion of patients that experienced a serum P1NP change exceeding the least significant change during follow-up was not significantly different by the type of medical institution.

Interstitial solutes can be removed by various overlapping clearance systems, including blood–brain barrier (BBB) transport and glymphatic clearance. Recently, focused ultrasound (FUS)-induced BBB disruption (BBBD) has been applied to visualize glymphatic transport. Despite evidence that FUS–BBBD might facilitate glymphatic transport, the nature of fluid movement within the sonication region is yet to be determined. In this study, we sought to determine whether FUS–BBBD may facilitate the local movement of water molecules. Two different FUS conditions (0.60–0.65 MPa and 0.75–0.80 MPa) were used to induce BBBD in the caudate-putamen and thalamus regions of healthy Sprague–Dawley rats. The water diffusion caused by FUS–BBBD was analyzed using the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity (RD), and fractional anisotropy, obtained at 5 min, 24 and 48 h, as well as the water channel expression of aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) immunostaining at 48 h after FUS-induced BBBD. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin histopathology and Fluoro-Jade C (FJC) immunostaining were performed to analyze brain damage. The signal changes in ADC and RD in the sonication groups showed significant and transient reduction at 5 min, with subsequent increases at 24 and 48 h after FUS-induced BBBD. When we applied higher sonication conditions, the ADC and RD showed enhancement until 48 h, and became comparable to contralateral values at 72 h. AQP-4 expression was upregulated after FUS-induced BBBD in both sonication conditions at 48 h. The results of this study provide preliminary evidence on how mechanical forces from FUS alter water dynamics through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures and AQP4 expression.

Background/Aims Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a self-limiting infectious disease, but 1% of subjects develop fulminant hepatitis. The prevalence of the anti-HAV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in hemodialysis subjects in Korea remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the seropositive rate of anti-HAV antibody among hemodialysis subjects in two hospitals according to age group. Methods A total of 170 hemodialysis subjects were evaluated for the seropositive rate of the anti-HAV IgG antibody and its titer. Results Of the 170 maintenance hemodialysis subjects in two hospitals (Kangnam 92 vs. Chuncheon 78), 79 (46.5%) were male. The mean age was 53.2 years old, and 94.1% of the subjects were over 40 years old. The median vintage of hemodialysis was 29.0 months. Anti-HAV antibody was found in 163 subjects (95.9%), with no significant difference between the two areas (Kangnam 97.8% [n = 90] vs. Chuncheon 93.6% [n = 73]). Subjects younger than 40 years old showed a seropositive rate of 50%, while the seropositive rate increased with age for subjects aged 40 or older (p for trend < 0.001). Seropositive subjects from Kangnam showed a higher anti-HAV antibody titer than those from Chuncheon (median: Kangnam 14.2 vs. Chuncheon 11.7). Only age influenced seropositivity. The only factor that influenced the antibody level was the location of hospital (p < 0.001). Conclusions The seropositive rate of the anti-HAV antibody in hemodialysis subjects was 95%, which is similar to findings in the general population. Active immunization against hepatitis A is strongly recommended for hemodialysis subjects under 40 years of age after anti-HAV testing.

A cost-effective, simple, flexible, and disposable colorimetric film sensor was constructed for the rapid detection of gaseous ammonia. The sensor was designed to consist of three layers, namely top, middle, and bottom layers of a polymeric elastomer. The bromocresol (BCG) indicator embedded in the middle layer of the film facilitated a change in color of the sensor from yellow-orange to blue upon exposure to gaseous ammonia. The color change was visually observed by the naked eye. The sensitivity of the sensor was verified by a successful detection of gaseous ammonia at concentrations from 4 to 235 ppm within 3 min, and the corresponding visual detection of ammonia gas was at a concentration as low as 11 ppm. The sensor also achieved a selective detection of gaseous ammonia over a variety of alkaline chemicals. The color of the sensor exposed to ammonia reverted from blue to the original yellow-orange upon subsequent exposure to the fume of acetic acid or aeration for 48 h, and it showed reliable performance for the detection of gaseous ammonia even after five repeated uses. The applicability of the sensor was validated by attaching it onto a safety helmet for a simulation of an industrial ammonia gas leak. The results indicated that our colorimetric film sensor is affordable, disposable, and reproducible, and can serve as an effective alternative for simple and rapid recognition of gaseous ammonia in environmental and air quality monitoring as well as in industrial applications.

We evaluated the utilization and characteristics of thyroid function test (TFT) results, including serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (free T4), and total triiodothyronine (total T3) in Korean adults who visited local clinics and hospitals between 2018 and 2020. We obtained TFT results for 69,575 specimens from 47,685 adult Korean patients (4878 men and 42,807 women) with a mean age of 42.7 (standard deviation of 13.2) years. Among them, 23,581 specimens were tested for TSH only, 38,447 specimens were tested for TSH and free T4 (including 17,978 specimens without total T3), and 20,469 specimens were tested for all three, i.e., TSH, free T4, and total T3. The proportion of euthyroid was 80.0% among all 69,575 specimens, 71.2% among specimens with TSH and free T4, and 64.2% among specimens with all three TFTs. TFT patterns that were difficult to interpret and needed more clinical information were observed for about 6.9% of the 20,469 specimens with all three TFTs. Among the 20,469 specimens with all three TFTs, no specimen had increases in all three. Information on the prevalence of specimen results of TFTs would be helpful to expand our knowledge of patient population characteristics and to improve test utilization.

Background and Objectives: Petechial cerebral hemorrhages can be caused by various factors, such as traumas, cerebral infarctions, and aging, and is related to the disruption of the blood–brain barrier or the cellular damage of blood vessels. However, there is no animal model that recapitulates cerebral petechial hemorrhages. Materials and Methods: Here, we implemented a petechial hemorrhage using a novel technology, i.e., microbubble-assisted focused ultrasound (MB + FUS). Results: This method increases the permeability of the blood–brain barrier by directly applying mechanical force to the vascular endothelial cells through cavitation of the microbubbles. Microbubble-enhanced cavitation has the advantage of controlling the degree and location of petechial hemorrhages. Conclusions: We thus generated a preclinical rat model using noninvasive focal MB + FUS. This method is histologically similar to actual petechial hemorrhages of the brain and allows the achievement of a physiologically resembling petechial hemorrhage. In the future, this method shall be considered as a useful animal model for studying the pathophysiology and treatment of petechial cerebral hemorrhages.

This study, conducted in the Republic of Korea, analyzed nursing faculty members’ knowledge of and attitudes toward research ethics according to their characteristics and the institutional environment. A survey was conducted from April 24 to July 23, 2017. The participants were 210 nursing professors from 57 universities in Korea. The survey questionnaire gathered information on participants’ characteristics, their knowledge of and attitudes toward research ethics, and their perceived training needs. A relatively low difficulty index was found for knowledge items dealing with conflicts of interest (0.66), copyright (0.65), and plagiarism and duplicate publications (0.17) than for the other six items. Of the 12 items assessing attitudes toward research ethics, use of a plagiarism-checking program and reviewing manuscripts from members of one’s own research group had the lowest scores. The knowledge level of participants whose institutions provided a plagiarism-checking program was higher than those whose institutions did not. Former group also showed better attitudes toward research ethics. High-priority training needs were obtaining institutional review board (IRB) approval, writing informed consent forms, and obtaining informed consent for studies on children and pregnant women. A more intensive training program for nursing faculty is required on specific topics, including conflicts of interest, copyright, plagiarism, duplicate publications, IRB approval, and informed consent. Furthermore, all nursing institutions in Korea should provide a plagiarism-checking program to faculty members.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the immunity against rubella using the serological status of rubella-specific IgG antibodies (antirubella IgG) in Korean women of childbearing age (15–49 years).Design Retrospective cross-sectional study.Setting Population-based cross-sectional study in South Korea.Participants Between January 2010 and December 2017, test results from Korean women aged 15–49 years who had visited an obstetric private clinic (nationwide institutions) and had requested rubella-specific IgG antibody tests from Green Cross Laboratories were obtained from the laboratory information system.Results Between 2010 and 2017, antirubella IgG test results from 328 426 Korean women aged 15–49 years who had visited private obstetric clinics (1438 institutions nationwide) were retrospectively analysed by tested year, age, cohort and geographic regions. Over the 8-year study period, the rate of unimmunised women ranged from 7.8% to 9.7%. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models showed that the odds of being immune to rubella (positive and equivocal results of antirubella IgG test) were lower in 2017 compared with 2010, in women in their 40s, in a pre-catch-up cohort and in women living in Incheon, Busan, South Gyeongsang, North and South Jeolla and Jeju provinces (p

Focused ultrasound is a promising therapeutic technique, as it involves the focusing of an ultrasonic beam with sufficient acoustic energy into a target brain region with high precision. Low-intensity ultrasound transmission by a single-element transducer is mostly established for neuromodulation applications and blood–brain barrier disruption for drug delivery. However, transducer positioning errors can occur without fine control over the sonication, which can affect repeatability and lead to reliability problems. The objective of this study was to determine whether the target brain region would be stable under small displacement (0.5 mm) of the transducer based on numerical simulations. Computed-tomography-derived three-dimensional models of a rat head were constructed to investigate the effects of transducer displacement in the caudate putamen (CP) and thalamus (TH). Using three different frequencies (1.1, 0.69, and 0.25 MHz), the transducer was displaced by 0.5 mm in each of the following six directions: superior, interior, anterior, posterior, left, and right. The maximum value of the intracranial pressure field was calculated, and the targeting errors were determined by the full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) overlap between the free water space (FWHMwater) and transcranial transmission (FWHMbase). When the transducer was positioned directly above the target region, a clear distinction between the target regions was observed, resulting in 88.3%, 81.5%, and 84.5% FWHMwater for the CP and 65.6%, 76.3%, and 64.4% FWHMwater for the TH at 1.1, 0.69, and 0.25 MHz, respectively. Small transducer displacements induced both enhancement and reduction of the peak pressure and targeting errors, compared with when the transducer was displaced in water. Small transducer displacement to the left resulted in the lowest stability, with 34.8% and 55.0% targeting accuracy (FWHMwater) at 1.1 and 0.69 MHz in the TH, respectively. In addition, the maximum pressure was reduced by up to 11% by the transducer displacement. This work provides the targeting errors induced by transducer displacements through a preclinical study and recommends that attention be paid to determining the initial sonication foci in the transverse plane in the cases of small animals.

PURPOSE: To develop Korean Menstrual Symptom Scale (KMSS) for university students and test its reliability and validity. METHODS: The scale was developed by intensive literature review, development of preliminary items, verification of content validity, development of secondary items, verification of construct validity, and extraction of final items. Thirty-nine items were constructed. Data for validity and reliability testing were collected with a questionnaire survey from 391 university students. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and reliability coefficients (Cronbach's α) with the SPSS program. RESULTS: There were 37 final items which were sorted into six factors: ‘negative affection (8 items)’, ‘change of activity level (7 items)’, ‘physical symptom (9 items)’, ‘mood change (9 items)’, ‘change in concentration level (4 items)’, and ‘body water retention (5 items)’. The cumulative percent of variance was 63.3%. Regarding the reliability of the scale, its Cronbach's α was 0.96. Cronbach's α values for these factors ranged from 0.75 to 0.91. CONCLUSION: The KMSS demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability. Repeated research is needed to measure menstrual symptom experienced by women of variable ages.

Canavalia gladiata (C. gladiata) and Arctium lappa (A. lappa), used in traditional medicine and food. However, their preventive effects in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain unclear. We found that the C. gladiata and A. lappa mixture suppressed inflammation in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. The mixture increased the population and activation of immune cells, up-regulation of cell cycle, and induction of IgA and IgG production in wild-type mice. Furthermore, the extract mixture prevented clinical IBD symptoms and restored IgA production in IBD mice. Similarly, a mixture of the marker compounds, chicoric acid and lupeol, ameliorated IBD-associated clinical signs, improved the population and activation of immune cells and functional defects in natural killer (NK) cells and reduced production of IgA in these mice. In conclusion, the C. gladiata and A. lappa mixture ameliorated progression of DSS-induced IBD by enhancing immune responses and recovering functional immune cell defects.

PurposeSmall for gestational age (SGA) is confusingly defined as birth weight (BW) either below 3rd percentile or 10th percentile for infants. This study aimed to compare postnatal catch-up growth between SGA groups according to different definitions.MethodsData of 129 infants born with BW below the 10th percentile and admitted to Korea University Anam Hospital and Ansan Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Height and weight were measured at 6, 12, and 24 months. Results were compared between group A (BW: