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\nIntroduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) can occur at any age; however, studies on younger IPF patients are scarce because it primarily affects the elderly. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features and outcomes of younger IPF patients. Methods: We analyzed the National Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database from 2015 to 2021. Patients with IPF were identified using the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes and the Rare Intractable Diseases codes and were categorized into three age groups: <50, ≥50 and <65, and ≥65 years. The risk of acute exacerbation (AE) and mortality was analyzed. Results: Among 4,243 patients with IPF, 91 were under 50. These younger patients, who were predominantly female, exhibited less comorbidities and received more systemic steroids, whereas older group received more pirfenidone. Although AE risk increased with age, it was not statistically significant. Mortality and lung transplantation risks increased notably with age from the <50 group to the ≥50 and <65 group (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93–2.49) and the ≥65 group (HR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.51–3.93). These risks were influenced by factors such as age, comorbidities, previous AEs, and steroid use. Conversely, pirfenidone treatment reduced the risk. Conclusion: While younger IPF patients had a lower risk of mortality and lung transplantation, with no significant differences in the risk of AEs, they were less likely to receive antifibrotic therapy and more often treated with steroids, which may affect outcomes. Early, targeted treatment strategies, including antifibrotic use, are crucial for improving their prognosis. This study examined the clinical features and outcomes of younger patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Results showed that young patients with IPF exhibit lower risks of mortality and lung transplantation but are more often treated with steroids and less frequently with pirfenidone, potentially increasing these risks. These findings highlight the need for a strategic shift toward treatment approaches tailored for younger patients to avoid harmful treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐solid‐state Li‐metal battery (ASSLB) represents advantageous energy storage system for automotive applications. For ASSLB, inorganic solid electrolyte is essential in determining safety and cycling performance. However, significant challenges persist in practical construction of ASSLB with optimized electrolyte. Specifically, electrolyte's structural instability influencing its electrochemical performance remains critical issue within typical operating temperatures for ASSLB in electric vehicles. Herein, this challenge is fundamentally addressed by substituting trace amount of lithium with cadmium, which lacks crystal field stabilization energy. This strategy of atomic interaction modification has induced electrolyte's structural distortion and electronic alteration by deliberately introducing disorder at local lithium sites. Li symmetric cell with cadmium‐substituted antiperovskite solid electrolyte exhibits outstanding critical current density of 11.5 mA cm−2 (5.75 mAh cm−2) and excellent stability for 3000 h at 10.0 mA cm−2 (5.0 mAh cm−2). This study highlights explicit research direction for breakthrough of ASSLB, focusing on understanding how local distortion affects complex inorganic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Short tandem repeats (STRs) are repetitive DNA sequences and highly mutable in various human disorders. While the involvement of STRs in various genetic disorders has been extensively studied, their role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains largely unexplored. In this study, we aimed to investigate genetic association of STR expansions with ASD using whole genome sequencing (WGS) and identify risk loci associated with ASD phenotypes. Methods: We analyzed WGS data of 634 ASD families and performed genome‐wide evaluation for 12,929 STR loci. We found rare STR expansions that exceeded normal repeat lengths in autism cases compared to unaffected controls. By integrating single cell RNA and ATAC sequencing datasets of human postmortem brains, we prioritized STR loci in genes specifically expressed in cortical development stages. A deep learning method was used to predict functionality of ASD‐associated STR loci. Results: In ASD cases, rare STR expansions predominantly occurred in early cortical layer‐specific genes involved in neurodevelopment, highlighting the cellular specificity of STR‐associated genes in ASD risk. Leveraging deep learning prediction models, we demonstrated that these STR expansions disrupted the regulatory activity of enhancers and promoters, suggesting a potential mechanism through which they contribute to ASD pathogenesis. We found that individuals with ASD‐associated STR expansions exhibited more severe ASD phenotypes and diminished adaptability compared to non‐carriers. Conclusion: Short tandem repeat expansions in cortical layer‐specific genes are associated with ASD and could potentially be a risk genetic factor for ASD. Our study is the first to show evidence of STR expansion associated with ASD in an under‐investigated population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The smartphone has many attractive attributes and characteristics that could make it highly addictive, particularly in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of young adolescents in risk of smartphone addiction and the psychological factors associated with smartphone addiction. Four hundred ninety middle school students completed a self-questionnaire measuring levels of smartphone addiction, behavioral and emotional problems, self-esteem, anxiety, and adolescent-parent communication. One hundred twenty-eight (26.61%) adolescents were in high risk of smartphone addiction. This latter group showed significantly more severe levels of behavioral and emotional problems, lower self-esteem, and poorer quality of communication with their parents. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the severity of smartphone addiction is significantly associated with aggressive behavior (ß = 0.593, t = 3.825) and self-esteem (ß = -0.305, t = -2.258). Further exploratory and confirmatory studies should consider different sites, demographics, technological mobile devices, platforms, and applications.

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to examine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in girls with central precocious puberty. Method: Girls with central precocious puberty were prospectively recruited from the pediatric clinic. Screening was done with ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Those who screened positive on ADHD-RS were referred for the diagnostic evaluation which included a Computerized Performance Test (CPT) and a clinical interview conducted by a child adolescent psychiatrist. Results: Among the 81 girls (mean age = 8.97 ± 0.91) who completed the study, 11 girls (13.58%) were diagnosed with ADHD: 5 of them were inattentive type and 6 of them were combined type. Conclusion: The present exploratory study showed that the prevalence of ADHD in girls with central precocious was higher than the known worldwide prevalence of ADHD in children [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]