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Background: Weakness of gluteus medius (Gmed) is related with musculoskeletal disorders. Individuals who experience weakness in the Gmed may activate the tensor fasciae latae (TFL) as a compensatory mechanism. Application of isometric hip extension (IHE) with Thera-band may affect the activities of the Gmed, gluteus maximus (Gmax), and TFL, and the activity ratio of Gmed/TFL during side-lying hip abduction (SHA). Objects: To determine the influences of IHE during SHA on Gmed, Gmax, and TFL activities in participants with Gmed weakness. Methods: Three types of SHA exercises were performed: 1) traditional SHA in the frontal plane (SHA-T), 2) SHA with IHE applying Thera-band in the frontal plane (SHA-IHE), 3) and SHA with isometric hip flexion (IHF) applying Thera-band in the frontal plane (SHA-IHF). Results: SHA-IHE significantly showed higher Gmed and Gmax activities than SHA-T and SHA-IHF. SHA-IHF significantly showed higher activity of TFL than SHA-T or SHA-IHE. The ac-tivity ratio of Gmed/TFL was significantly higher in the SHA-IHE, SHA-T, and SHA-IHF, in that order. Conclusion: The SHA-IHE resulted in higher activities of Gmed, Gmax and a higher muscle ratio of Gmed/TFL.

Background: Individuals with pes planus tend to overuse the extrinsic foot muscles, such as the tibialis anterior (TA) and peroneus longus (PL), to compensate for the weakened intrinsic foot muscles, such as the abductor hallucis (AbdH). Furthermore, differences in weight-bearing can affect the activity of muscles in both the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles. To date, no study has compared the effects of the short foot exercise (SFE) and toe spread-out exercise (TSO) on intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle activity and the corresponding ratios in different weight-bearing positions. Objects: To compare the effects of the SFE and TSO on AbdH, TA, and PL activity and the AbdH/TA and AbdH/PL activity ratios in the sitting and standing positions in individuals with pes planus. Methods: Twenty participants with pes planus were recruited. Surface electromyography was used to assess the amplitudes of AbdH, TA, and PL activity. Participants performed both exercises while adopting both the sitting and standing positions. Results: No significant interaction between exercise and position was found regarding the activity of any muscle or ratio of the activity, except for PL activity. We observed a significant increase in AbdH activity during the TSO compared to the SFE, and no significant difference in TA and PL activity between the two exercises. AbdH, TA, and PL activity were significantly higher in the standing position than in the sitting position. Furthermore, the AbdH/PL activity ratio significantly increased in the sitting position, although there was a significant increase in AbdH activity in the standing position. Conclusion: In individuals with pes planus, we recommend performing the TSO in the sitting position, which may increase the activity of the AbdH while concurrently decreasing the activity of the TA and PL, thus strengthening the AbdH.

Ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins orchestrate deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation-demethylation dynamics by oxidizing 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and are frequently inactivated in various cancers. Due to the significance of 5hmC as an epigenetic biomarker for cancer diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment, its rapid and precise quantification is essential. Here, we report a highly sensitive electrochemical method for quantifying genomic 5hmC using graphene sheets that were electrochemically exfoliated and functionalized with biotin and gold nanoparticles (Bt-AuNPs) through a single-step electrical method. The attachment of Bt-AuNPs to graphene enhances the specificity of 5hmC-containing DNA and augments the oxidation of 5hmC to 5-formylcytosine in DNA. When coupled to a gold electrode, the Bt-AuNP-graphene-based sensor exhibits exceptional sensitivity and specificity for detecting 5hmC, with a detection limit of 63.2 fM. Furthermore, our sensor exhibits a remarkable capacity to measure 5hmC levels across a range of biological samples, including preclinical mouse tissues with varying 5hmC levels due to either TET gene disruption or oncogenic transformation, as well as human prostate cancer cell lines. Therefore, our sensing strategy has substantial potential for cancer diagnostics and prognosis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, and current treatments include topical therapies, phototherapy, systemic immune modulators, and biologics, aiming to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. However, challenges persist, such as adverse effects, treatment resistance, high costs, and variability in response among individuals. The future of psoriasis treatment shows promising emerging trends. New biologic agents targeting novel pathways, such as interleukin 23 inhibitors like mirikizumab, offer enhanced efficacy. Small molecule inhibitors like RORγt inhibitors and ROCK2 inhibitors provide additional treatment options. Combination therapies, including biologics with methotrexate, may improve treatment response. Advancements in topical treatments utilizing microneedles and nanoparticle-based carriers can enhance drug delivery and improve therapeutic outcomes. Biomarkers and multi-omics technologies hold potential for personalized treatment approaches, thus aiding in diagnosis, predicting treatment response, and guiding therapeutic decisions. Collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and industry stakeholders is crucial to translating these scientific breakthroughs into clinical practice. By addressing current challenges and exploring these promising trends, we can optimize psoriasis management and improve the lives of those affected by this chronic condition.

Objectives Many small-sized healthcare institutions play a critical role in communities by preventing infectious diseases. This study examines how they have been impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic compared with large hospitals.Design This study adopted a retrospective study design looking back at the healthcare utilisation of medical facilities according to size after the COVID-19 pandemic. The dependent variable was change in the number of outpatient health insurance claims before and after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The independent variable was an observation time point of the year 2020 compared with 2019.Setting and participants The study was conducted in Korea having a competitive medical provision environment under the national health insurance system. The units of analysis are hospitals and clinics: tertiary hospitals (42), general hospitals (293), small hospitals (1272) and medical clinics (27 049). This study analysed all the health insurance claim data from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020.Results Compared with 2019, in 2020, there were significant decreases in the number of claims (−14.9%), particularly in small hospitals (−16.8%) and clinics (−16.3%), with smaller decreases in general hospitals (−8.9%) and tertiary hospitals (−5.3%). The reduction in healthcare utilisation increased as the size of institutions decreased. The magnitude of decrease was significantly greatest in small hospitals (absolute risk (AR): 0.8317, 0.7758 to 0.8915, p

Abstract Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) is an attractive high-speed imaging technique for retinal angiography. However, conventional swept lasers vary the cavity length of the laser mechanically to tune the output wavelength. This causes sweep-timing jitter and hence low phase stability in OCT angiography. Here, we improve an earlier phase-stabilized, akinetic, SS-OCT angiography (OCTA) method by introducing coherent averaging. We develop an active mode-locking (AML) laser as a high phase-stable akinetic swept source for the OCTA system. The phase stability of the improved system was analyzed, and the effects of coherent averaging were validated using a retina phantom. The effectiveness of the coherent averaging method was further confirmed by comparing coherently and conventionally averaged en face images of human retinal vasculature for their contrast-to-noise ratio, signal-to-noise ratio, and vasculature connectivity. The contrast-to-noise ratio was approximately 1.3 times larger when applying the coherent averaging method in the human retinal experiment. Our coherent averaging method with the high phase-stability AML laser source for OCTA provides a valuable tool for studying healthy and diseased retinas.

Abstract Background Co-transplantation of bone marrow cells (BMCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is used as a strategy to improve the outcomes of bone marrow transplantation. Tonsil-derived MSCs (TMSCs) are a promising source of MSCs for co-transplantation. Previous studies have shown that TMSCs or conditioned media from TMSCs (TMSC-CM) enhance BMC engraftment. However, the factors in TMSCs that promote better engraftment have not yet been identified. Methods Mice were subjected to a myeloablative regimen of busulfan and cyclophosphamide, and the mRNA expression in the bone marrow was analyzed using an extracellular matrix (ECM) and adhesion molecule-targeted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array. Nano-liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, real-time quantitative PCR, western blots, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to compare the expression levels of metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) in MSCs derived from various tissues, including the tonsils, bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord. Recipient mice were conditioned with busulfan and cyclophosphamide, and BMCs, either as a sole population or with control or MMP3-knockdown TMSCs, were co-transplanted into these mice. The effects of TMSC-expressed MMP3 were investigated. Additionally, Enzchek collagenase and Transwell migration assays were used to confirm that the collagenase activity of TMSC-expressed MMP3 enhanced BMC migration. Results Mice subjected to the myeloablative regimen exhibited increased mRNA expression of collagen type IV alpha 1/2 (Col4a1 and Col4a2). Among the various extracellular matrix-modulating proteins secreted by TMSCs, MMP3 was expressed at higher levels in TMSCs than in other MSCs. Mice co-transplanted with BMCs and control TMSCs exhibited a higher survival rate, weight recovery, and bone marrow cellularity compared with mice co-transplanted with BMCs and MMP3-knockdown TMSCs. Control TMSC-CM possessed higher collagenase activity against collagen IV than MMP3-knockdown TMSC-CM. TMSC-CM also accelerated BMC migration by degrading collagen IV in vitro. Conclusions Collectively, these results indicate that TMSCs enhance BMC engraftment by the secretion of MMP3 for the modulation of the bone marrow extracellular matrix.

Background : To analyze transplant rejection and to distinguish between donor and recipient, it is necessary to select a marker from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), short tandem repeat (STR), and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) testing. SNPs are bi-allelic and the polymerase chain reaction method used for SNP testing has the advantage of lower cost than sequencing methods. In this study, we aimed to distinguish donors from recipients using a combination of existing commercialized STRs and the SNPs identified. Methods : All selected SNPs complied with the following criterion: known and validated minor allele frequency (MAF) ≥43% in Korean and reported ethnicities from global populations (HapMap, 1000 Genomes, and the Korean Reference Genome project). The STR assays were performed for 16 tetranucleotide repeat loci. Results : DNA from the 52 donor/recipient pairs were tested for informative markers. The median age of the recipients was 47 years. MAF in the 52 pairs was 1.0%?76.0%. The probability of informative genotypes (I) was 0.001?0.124. The summation of I was 0.680. In the 52 donor recipient pairs, the selected SNPs showed a 0.031 average probability of being informative. The probability of identity in our study was 0.122?0.348. SNP panel configuration distinguished 100% of 52 donors/recipient pairs. Conclusions: Donors and recipients were distinguished by STR and 22 SNPs with MAF identified from SNP databases. Seventeen SNPs were able to distinguish between donors and recipients (I value=0.039).

Bioimaging in the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) window can help to obtain high‐resolution images and a high penetration depth. This study proposes an Au/Si bilayer plasmonic nanodisk (Au/Si ND) that has a resonance wavelength in the NIR‐II window caused by Si ND stacking on top of the Au ND with a resonance wavelength in the first near‐infrared window; the Si ND has a high refractive index. Au/Si NDs are physically synthesized using nanoimprint lithography and vacuum deposition. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging is performed using synthesized Au/Si NDs as OCT contrast agents in the NIR‐II window. Due to the 2D circular shape and its remarkable response to random incident light, the Au/Si NDs exhibit approximately 250‐fold greater OCT signal intensity than do commercial 1D Au nanorods, as well as fourfold greater penetration depth and improved OCT image contrast.

Obesity, which has become a major global health problem, involves a constitutive increase in adipocyte differentiation signaling. Previous studies show that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) induce weight loss and glycemic control. However, the mechanisms by which MSCs regulate adipocyte differentiation are not yet known. In this study, we investigated the effects of conditioned medium obtained from human tonsil-derived MSCs (T-MSC CM) on adipocyte differentiation. We found that T-MSC CM attenuated adipocyte differentiation from early stages via inhibiting glucocorticoid signaling. T-MSC CM also increased the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and glucocorticoid receptors and decreased the subsequent nucleus translocation of glucocorticoid receptors. Chronic treatment of mice with synthetic glucocorticoids induced visceral and bone marrow adipose tissue expansion, but these effects were not observed in mice injected with T-MSC CM. Furthermore, T-MSC CM injection protected against reductions in blood platelet counts induced by chronic glucocorticoid treatment, and enhanced megakaryocyte differentiation was also observed. Collectively, these results demonstrate that T-MSC CM exerts inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation by regulating glucocorticoid signal transduction. These findings suggest that the therapeutic application of T-MSC CM could reduce obesity by preventing adipose tissue expansion.

Human skin is the largest organ and serves as the first line of defense against environmental factors. The human microbiota is defined as the total microbial community that coexists in the human body, while the microbiome refers to the collective genome of these microorganisms. Skin microbes do not simply reside on the skin but interact with the skin in a variety of ways, significantly affecting the skin barrier function. Here, we discuss recent insights into the symbiotic relationships between the microbiome and the skin barrier in physical, chemical, and innate/adaptive immunological ways. We discuss the gut-skin axis that affects skin barrier function. Finally, we examine the effects of microbiome dysbiosis on skin barrier function and the role of these effects in inflammatory skin diseases, such as acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Microbiome cosmetics can help restore skin barrier function and improve these diseases.

Background: Urine culture is one of the most frequently requested tests in microbiology. Automated urine analyzers yield much infection-related information. The Sysmex UF-5000 analyzer (Sysmex, Japan) is a new flow cytometry urine analyzer capable of quantifying urinary particles, including bacteria, WBCs, and yeast-like cells (YLCs) and can provide a Gram stainability flag. In this work, we evaluated how many unnecessary urine cultures could be screened out using the UF-5000.Methods: We compared the culture results of 126 urine samples among 453 requested urine cultures (from sources other than the Urology and Nephrology departments) with urinalysis results. Urine cultures were considered positive if bacterial or YLC growth was ≥104 CFUs/mL.Results: We used urinalysis cut-off values of 50/μL and 100/μL for bacteria and YLC, respectively. Forty eight of the 126 (38.1%, or 10.6% of 453 requested) cultures were below these cut-off values and did not contain any culture-positive samples.Conclusion: Bacteria and YLC counts generated using the UF-5000 analyzer could be used to screen out negative cultures and reduce urine culture volume by ∼10% without sacrificing detection of positive cultures. (Ann Clin Microbiol 2018;21:75-79)

Gastric cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths, especially in Asian countries. Recently, many studies have analyzed cell-free nucleic acids (cfNAs) circulating in the blood, for the early diagnosis of cancer and monitoring its progression. Circulating tumor nucleic acids (ctNAs) originate in a tumor and contain tumor-related genetic or epigenetic alterations. This review defines the nomenclatures of each form of cfNAs and describes the characteristics of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and microRNA (miRNA), two major forms of ctNAs studied in gastric cancer research to date. We compare available studies on ctDNA, and explain trends observed in studies of miRNAs in gastric cancers. As these new blood-based biomarkers have attracted increasing attention, we have discussed several important points to be considered before the clinical translation of ctNA detection. We have also discussed the current status of research in this field, and clinical applications of specific ctNAs as tumor markers for gastric cancer diagnosis.

Objective: To investigate the anti-colon cancer effects of ethylacetate fraction from Orostachys japonicus (O. japonicus) on HT-29 cancer cells. Methods: The viability of HT-29 cells was assayed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) method. Apoptosis induction and cell cycle inhibition were confirmed by fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide staining using flow cytometry. Morphological changes in the nucleus were observed, using a fluorescence microscope with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) nuclear staining. The expression levels of the upstream and downstream proteins involved in the anti-cancer mechanism were confirmed by Western blotting. Results: After treating HT-29 cells with different concentrations of ethylacetate fraction from O. japonicus, the viability of cells decreased in a concentration-dependent manner, while apoptosis induction and apoptotic body formation increased. Cell cycle analysis showed that the arrest occurred at the sub-G1 and S phase. Among the upstream and downstream proteins involved in anti-cancer activity, the level of B cell lymphoma-2 decreased, and the bcl-2-associated x protein increased. The level of pro-caspase-3, pro-caspase-8, and pro-caspase-9 decreased, while the level of cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-8, and cleaved-caspase-9 increased. Moreover, the phosphorylation, that is, activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2, Jun-N-terminal kinase, and p38 increased. Conclusions: Combining the above results, it is thought that the survival of HT-29 cells is suppressed by ethylacetate fraction from O. japonicus through mitochondrial regulation-induced caspase cascade activation, induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

This study investigated the effects of concept-oriented faded in worked-out examples (WOE) and metacognitive scaffolding on learners' transfer performance and motivation in programming education. Two types of faded in WOE and metacognitive scaffolding were provided. A total of 140 participants were randomly assigned into one of four groups, with 35 in each group: concept-oriented faded WOE for the COF group; position-oriented faded WOE for the POF group; concept-oriented faded WOE with metacognitive scaffolding for the COFM group; and position-oriented faded WOE with metacognitive scaffolding for the POFM group. The experiment was conducted over the course of 10 weeks. After the completion of all learning processes, the participants' knowledge transfer and motivation were measured. The findings revealed that providing concept-oriented faded WOE led to a significantly better performance than did providing position-oriented faded WOE, both in near-transfer and far-transfer results. In addition, the results revealed that providing concept-oriented faded WOE with metacognitive scaffolding (COFM) was the most effective in promoting motivation. The findings further provided empirical evidence that using concept-oriented faded WOE, along with metacognitive scaffolding, is better than using only concept-oriented faded WOE.

The application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for treating bone-related diseases shows promising outcomes in preclinical studies. However, cells that are isolated and defined as MSCs comprise a heterogeneous population of progenitors. This heterogeneity can produce variations in the performance of MSCs, especially in applications that require differentiation potential in vivo, such as the treatment of osteoporosis. Here, we aimed to identify genetic markers in tonsil-derived MSCs (T-MSCs) that can predict osteogenic potential. Using a single-cell cloning method, we isolated and established several lines of nondifferentiating (ND) or osteoblast-prone (OP) clones. Next, we performed transcriptome sequencing of three ND and three OP clones that maintained the characteristics of MSCs and determined the top six genes that were upregulated in OP clones. Upregulation of WNT16 and DCLK1 expression was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR, but only WNT16 expression was correlated with the osteogenic differentiation of T-MSCs from 10 different donors. Collectively, our findings suggest that WNT16 is a putative genetic marker that predicts the osteogenic potential of T-MSCs. Thus, examination of WNT16 expression as a selection criterion prior to the clinical application of MSCs may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of stem cell therapy for bone-related complications, including osteoporosis.

Background: The traditional medicine (TRM) of Korea and China share the same cultural tradition for thousands of years, and has experienced modernization process with respect to their distinctive social, cultural, and political influences. The purpose of this study was to analyze the attitude of Korean and Chinese TRM doctors on the current situation and future perspectives of the TRM education. Methods: We analyzed the recognition on the current educational system, and needed curriculums from Korean (n = 188) and Chinese (n = 118) TRM doctors. The validity of the structured questionnaire was examined with exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation and reliability with Cronbach α. The differences between Korean and Chinese TRM doctors were examined with t test. Results: Chinese TRM doctors consider their educational system more positively as for the standardization and professional ethics than the Korean. The Korean and Chinese wanted more emphasis on the education of medical humanities, clinical skills, medical classics, and alternative medicine, although it was more prominent with the Chinese. Conclusion: This study revealed the attitude of Korean and Chinese TRM doctors on their educational system, and discussed the implication of similarities and differences between them. It would provide foundations for the improvement of the TRM educational curriculums.

Cotransplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has been widely reported to promote HSC engraftment and enhance marrow stromal regeneration. The present study aimed to define whether MSC conditioned medium could recapitulate the effects of MSC cotransplantation. Mouse bone marrow (BM) was partially ablated by the administration of a busulfan and cyclophosphamide (Bu−Cy)-conditioning regimen in BALB/c recipient mice. BM cells (BMCs) isolated from C57BL/6 mice were transplanted via tail vein with or without tonsil-derived MSC conditioned medium (T-MSC CM). Histological analysis of femurs showed increased BM cellularity when T-MSC CM or recombinant human pleiotrophin (rhPTN), a cytokine readily secreted from T-MSCs with a function in hematopoiesis, was injected with BMCs. Microstructural impairment in mesenteric and BM arteriole endothelial cells (ECs) were observed after treatment with Bu−Cy-conditioning regimen; however, T-MSC CM or rhPTN treatment restored the defects. These effects by T-MSC CM were disrupted in the presence of an anti-PTN antibody, indicating that PTN is a key mediator of EC restoration and enhanced BM engraftment. In conclusion, T-MSC CM administration enhances BM engraftment, in part by restoring vasculature via PTN production. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic relevance of T-MSC CM for increasing HSC transplantation efficacy.

BACKGROUND:In airway epithelium, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (CCL17) and macrophage-derived chemokine (CCL22) are induced by defective epithelial barriers such as E-cadherin and attract the effector cells of Th2 immunity. However, the association between the epithelial barrier and CCL17 expression has not been studied in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (CRSwNP). Thus, we aimed to evaluate the expression of CCL17 and its regulation by Th cytokines in nasal polyp (NP) epithelial cells. METHODS:The expression and distribution of CCL17, CCL22, E-cadherin and/or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were measured using real-time PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry and compared between normal ethmoid sinus epithelium and NP epithelium. In addition, the expression level of CCL17 was determined in cultured epithelial cells treated with IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. RESULTS:The expression of CCL17 was decreased in the NP epithelium compared to the epithelium of normal ethmoid sinus, whereas the expression of CCL22 was not decreased. E-cadherin was differentially distributed between the epithelium of normal ethmoid sinus and NP epithelium. EGFR was also decreased in NPs. Interestingly, the stimulation of cultured epithelial cells with Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-5, resulted in an upregulation of CCL17 expression only in NP epithelial cells whereas the expression of CCL17 was increased in both normal epithelial cells and NP epithelial cells by Th1 cytokines. CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that the decreased expression of CCL17 in defective NP epithelium may be closely connected to NP pathogenesis and can be differentially regulated by cytokines in the NP epithelium of patients with CRSwNP.

As a result of industrialization and environmental pollution, increasing importance is being given to eco-friendly materials and technology. In particular, eco-friendly biocomposites using polylactic acid (PLA) have attracted great interest. In this work, fiber-reinforced composites were investigated in order to enhance the mechanical properties and improve the economic efficiency of PLA. Specifically, composite materials using natural fibers, such as kenaf were actively studied. In the utilization of natural fibers, such as kenaf, the treatment method for increasing the bonding force between the fiber and the matrix is very important. In this study, the surface of kenaf was treated using an acetylation technique, and the PLA composite material was prepared using surface-treated kenaf. Changes in fiber properties were observed with acetylation treatment time. The mechanical properties, thermal stability, and water absorption resistance of the acetylated kenaf and PLA composites prepared for each condition were evaluated. Finally, was concluded that acetylation treatment is effective for improving the performance of PLA/kenaf composites. This behavior was found to relate to the surface cleaning of acetylated kanaf, in addition to the efficient modification of the hydrophilic characteristics of kenaf.

This article discusses the usefulness of component-resolved diagnosis in pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS). PFAS is a condition where individuals with pollen allergies experience oral hypersensitivity symptoms when consuming certain raw fruits, vegetables, peanuts, and tree nuts. The main allergens in Fagales pollen are pathogen-related 10 (PR-10) proteins, with Bet v 1 being the most common. This study presents a case of a patient with eosinophilic gastroenteritis linked to PFAS caused by sensitization to PR-10 protein. The patient's specific IgE for soy was detected by the component ImmunoCAP test but not by other tests. The article suggests that component-resolved diagnosis can help guide patients in avoiding certain food items and alleviate symptoms. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Autoantibodies against the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R-Ab) have been previously associated with de novo donor-specific antibody (DSA) formation in lung transplantation. However, data regarding the clinical significance of AT1R-Ab in long-term graft function after lung transplantation are lacking. Methods: Seventy-one patients who underwent lung transplantation between July 2016 and January 2020 were enrolled in this study. We examined the relationship between pre-transplant AT1R-Ab levels and graft function, clinical outcomes, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DSA levels during the first 3 years post-transplantation. Results: Seventeen (23.9%) patients were AT1R-Ab-positive, and 54 (76.1%) were AT1R-Ab-negative. The median antibody value of the AT1R-Ab-positive group was 18 [18-22.5] U/mL, while that of the AT1R-Ab-negative group was 5.1 [3.5-8.0] U/mL (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the median acute cellular rejection (ACR) scores between the two groups (median [interquartile range] 1 [0.8-3] vs. 0.7 [0-1]; p = 0.145). However, there was a significant difference in the distribution of the ACR scores between the two groups (p = 0.015). Most (41.2%) patients in the pre-transplant AT1R-positive group scored above 1. The incidence of de novo DSA was also higher in AT1R-Ab-positive than in AT1R-Ab-negative patients (52.9% vs. 20.4%, p = 0.009). The incidence of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) within 3 years was significantly higher in AT1R-Ab-positive than in AT1R-Ab-negative patients (58.3% vs. 11.8%; p < 0.001). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, AT1R-Ab positivity (hazard ratio, 9.46; 95% confidence interval, 2.89-30.94; p < 0.001) was significantly associated with early CLAD. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that AT1R-Ab-positive patients had a shorter survival time (χ² = 39.62, p < 0.001). Conclusion: High AT1R-Ab levels in the pre-transplant serum of lung recipients were associated with the development of de novo HLA-DSA, ACR, early CLAD, and short survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in transfusion practices to improve patient safety. The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of PDA data collected at a single tertiary hospital in Korea. They found that PDAs were used for bedside checks in 95% of transfusion cases, and the overall PDA mismatch rate was 0.17%. The study identified 63 near-miss events that could have resulted in incorrect blood component transfusions, including 23 ABO-incompatible transfusions. The authors suggest that incorporating PDAs into transfusion practices can enhance the quality of care and reduce the risk of transfusion errors. [Extracted from the article]