Search

Population-based data on drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) are lacking. This retrospective study aimed to determine the prevalence and incidence of pediatric epilepsy and DRE in South Korea using health insurance claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (2013–2022). Epilepsy and DRE prevalence and incidence in children <18 years old were estimated over time and by age and sex. Results showed that the age-standardized prevalence and incidence rates of epilepsy increased. The age-standardized prevalence rate of DRE increased, while the age-standardized incidence rate remained unchanged. The standardized prevalence rate of DRE was 0.26 per 1000 persons, and the average standardized incidence rate of DRE was 0.06 per 1000 persons. The prevalence rate of DRE gradually increased with age, with age 0 demonstrating the highest incidence rate. The prevalence of generalized DRE was the highest across all ages, and incidence was the highest at 0 years. Conversely, the incidence of focal DRE did not change with age. Our study revealed a stable incidence rate of DRE in Korea, despite increased prevalence. DRE incidence was the highest in the first year of life, with the generalized type being the most prevalent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, heterojunction electrodes consisting of two or more dissimilar semiconductors offer more advantages over those made from single semiconductors. Pairing tungsten trioxide (WO3) with bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is a promising strategy that helps to achieve better charge separation and improved overall performance in PEC water splitting. In this work, we have demonstrated a WO3/BiVO4/TiO2 core–shell nanostructured photoanode for efficient water splitting and stability. A detailed valence band (VB) edge analysis of WO3/BiVO4 was performed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and it was revealed that due to electronic equilibration between WO3 with BiVO4, Fermi energy level shifting occurs, forming a p–n junction at the interface that allows electrons from the photoexcited BiVO4 to be transferred efficiently to WO3, achieving better charge separation and higher efficiency. This electrode exhibited significantly higher photocurrent density than the individual WO3 and BiVO4 electrodes, producing an unprecedented photocurrent of 4.2 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode under simulated sunlight without an added catalyst. A thin layer of photocatalytically inactive amorphous TiO2 was deposited onto WO3/BiVO4 to react with surface defects, deactivating them toward surface charge-carrier recombination, and to increase the stability of photoanodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining WO 3 with suitable materials to form heterojunction is essential to overcome the limitations of WO 3 to enhance its photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting activity. Moreover, a clear understanding of photo-response and charge behavior of materials could lead to the rational design of efficient photoelectrodes. Given this, an efficient strategy is applied to fabricate WO 3 heterojunction with nitrogen-doped carbon dots (NCDs) and in-depth characterization to investigate the surface charge dynamics using nano imaging in a relation to the enhanced PEC water splitting activity. The optimized NCDs loading to the WO 3 NRs exhibited the enhanced photocurrent density of 1.54 mA cm−2 at 1.23V vs RHE under AM 1.5 G illumination, highest IPCE of ~82 % (at 308.32 nm). The Kelvin probe force microscopy and electrostatic force microscopy reveal that after loading NCDs to the WO 3 , a relatively smooth charge transport has been observed, which improves the PEC. Furthermore, this work demonstrates the effect of photogenerated charges caused by the NCDs that assist in enhancing the increased photocurrent, hydrogen production efficiency, and stability of the PEC water splitting system. Significantly, the nano imaging characterization utilized in this work could be extended to various photoanodes to study the surface charge dynamics. [Display omitted] • WO 3 NRs/NCDs heterojunction was proposed for water splitting applications. • NCD on WO 3 suppresses charge recombination and decreases charge transfer resistance. • Enhanced photocurrent, IPCE, and H 2 production was achieved upon NCD sensitization. • Nanoscale surface imaging was performed to understand insights of carrier dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) is caused predominantly by mutations in the NR0B1 ( DAX1 ) gene. Among these, X-linked AHC due to a large deletion of NR0B1 is extremely rare. In Korea, the first case was reported in 2005, and there have been no further documented cases since then. Herein, we report a unique case of X-linked AHC caused by an entire gene deletion that includes the NR0B1 gene and seven other genes. A seven-day-old boy presented to a pediatric endocrine clinic with prolonged postnatal jaundice, skin hyperpigmentation, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia, suggestive of an adrenal crisis. In genetic analysis, next-generation sequencing panel for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) showed no variants. However, chromosomal microarray results revealed large deletion of Xp21.2 (29,655,007&#95;30,765,126) including eight protein-coding genes ( NR0B1, IL1RAPL1, GK, MAGEB1-4, TASL ). In cases of atypical adrenal insufficiency and genetically undiagnosed CAH, NR0B1 -related AHC should be suspected, as Xp21 deletion is very rare and not detected in NGS, making microarray the best option for genetic diagnosis., (© 2023 by the Association of Clinical Scientists, Inc.)