Self-Powered Electrical Bandage Based on Body-Coupled Energy Harvesting.

Self-powered electrical bandages, integrated with wearable energy harvesters, could provide an effective and autonomous electrical stimulation (ES) solution for rapid and scarless wound healing. A continuously operating, wireless, and applicable-to-comprehensive-wound ES device is essential for the quick restoration of wounds and convenience. Our work illustrates a self-powered electrical bandage (SEB) powered by body-coupled energy harvesting. The SEB continuously treats the wound with 60-Hz sinusoidal electrical potential gained from the coupling of the human body and ambient electrical waves. We demonstrated enough level of electrical potential could be applied to the wound, further enhanced by strong capacitive coupling arising from the use of high-permittivity poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene):CaCu3Ti4O12 nanocomposite. The potential clinical efficacy of the SEB was illustrated by preclinical analysis of human fibroblasts and mouse wound model, thus confirming the successful expedition of wound recovery. This work suggests a new class of wearable devices to provide ES events and its potential for extension to other conventional wound care materials and device technology. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Systematic review of fatigue severity in ME/CFS patients: insights from randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating illness medically unexplained, affecting approximately 1% of the global population. Due to the subjective complaint, assessing the exact severity of fatigue is a clinical challenge, thus, this study aimed to produce comprehensive features of fatigue severity in ME/CFS patients. METHODS: We systematically extracted the data for fatigue levels of participants in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) targeting ME/CFS from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CINAHL throughout January 31, 2024. We normalized each different measurement to a maximum 100-point scale and performed a meta-analysis to assess fatigue severity by subgroups of age, fatigue domain, intervention, case definition, and assessment tool, respectively. RESULTS: Among the total of 497 relevant studies, 60 RCTs finally met our eligibility criteria, which included a total of 7088 ME/CFS patients (males 1815, females 4532, and no information 741). The fatigue severity of the whole 7,088 patients was 77.9 (95% CI 74.7-81.0), showing 77.7 (95% CI 74.3-81.0) from 54 RCTs in 6,706 adults and 79.6 (95% CI 69.8-89.3) from 6 RCTs in 382 adolescents. Regarding the domain of fatigue, 'cognitive' (74.2, 95% CI 65.4-83.0) and 'physical' fatigue (74.3, 95% CI 68.3-80.3) were a little higher than 'mental' fatigue (70.1, 95% CI 64.4-75.8). The ME/CFS participants for non-pharmacological intervention (79.1, 95% CI 75.2-83.0) showed a higher fatigue level than those for pharmacological intervention (75.5, 95% CI 70.0-81.0). The fatigue levels of ME/CFS patients varied according to diagnostic criteria and assessment tools adapted in RCTs, likely from 54.2 by ICC (International Consensus Criteria) to 83.6 by Canadian criteria and 54.2 by MFS (Mental Fatigue Scale) to 88.6 by CIS (Checklist Individual Strength), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review firstly produced comprehensive features of fatigue severity in patients with ME/CFS. Our data will provide insights for clinicians in diagnosis, therapeutic assessment, and patient management, as well as for researchers in fatigue-related investigations.

Comprehensive transcriptome profiling between balding and non-balding scalp of female pattern hair loss in Asian.

While many gene expression studies have focused on male pattern baldness (MPB), few studies have investigated the genetic differences between bald and non-bald hair follicles in female pattern hair loss (FPHL). This study aimed to identify molecular biomarkers associated with FPHL through genetic analysis of paired bald and non-bald hair follicles from 18 FPHL patients, using next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. RNA transcriptome analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between bald and non-bald hair follicles in FPHL. The DEGs were validated using real-time PCR, and protein expression was confirmed through immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Our findings suggest that HOXB13, SFRP2, PTGDS, CXCR3, SFRP4, SOD3, and DCN are significantly upregulated in bald hair follicles compared to non-bald hair follicles in FPHL. SFRP2 and PTGDS were found to be consistently highly expressed in bald hair follicles in all 18 samples. Additionally, elevated protein levels of SFRP2 and PTGDS were confirmed through western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Our study identified SFRP2 and PTGDS as potential biomarkers for FPHL and suggests that they may play a role in inducing hair loss in this condition. These findings provide a foundation for further research on the pathogenesis of FPHL and potential therapeutic targets.

New treatment for antibody-mediated rejection: interleukin-6 inhibitors.

Following kidney transplantation, antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) occurs when the antibodies of the immune system attack the transplanted organ, leading to damage of the kidney tissue. De novo human leukocyte antigen donor-specific antibodies (HLA-DSAs) play a key role in AMR. Current therapeutic approaches include intravenous immunoglobulin, anti-CD20 antibodies, and plasmapheresis. In cases resistant to treatment, proteasome inhibitors and C5 inhibitors may be employed. Nevertheless, a pressing need exists for new medications to improve transplant survival and reduce complications. In the context of AMR, interleukin (IL)-6 is instrumental in the development and maturation of B cells into plasma cells, which then produce HLA-DSAs targeting the allograft. IL-6 inhibitors are currently under investigation and show promise due to the essential role of IL-6 in the immune response; however, additional research is necessary.

Colon cancer: the 2023 Korean clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Treatment outcomes for colon cancer are steadily improving due to national health screening programs with advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and therapeutic agents.. The Korea Colon Cancer Multidisciplinary (KCCM) Committee intends to provide professionals who treat colon cancer with the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice guidelines to improve outcomes and help them make decisions that reflect their patients' values and preferences. These guidelines have been established by consensus reached by the KCCM Guideline Committee based on a systematic literature review and evidence synthesis and by considering the national health insurance system in real clinical practice settings. Each recommendation is presented with a recommendation strength and level of evidence based on the consensus of the committee.

Variation in Root Biomass and Distribution Based on the Topography, Soil Properties, and Tree Influence Index: The Case of Mt. Duryun in Republic of Korea.

Root biomass and distribution are influenced by abiotic factors, such as topography and soil physicochemical properties, determining belowground productivity. Hence, we investigated the variation in root biomass and vertical root distribution based on the topography, soil physicochemical properties, and tree influence index, and their relationships, across soil depths (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm) and topographical gradients in a warm-temperate forest in Mt. Duryun, Republic of Korea. Two contrasting research sites were established: a lower slope oriented at ≤3° and an upper slope with a slope of 30°. Each site comprised eleven 400 m2 sampling plots from which root samples from various diameter classes (<2 mm, 2-5 mm, 5-10 mm, and >10 mm) were collected. While the bulk density increased with soil depth in the lower slope, the organic matter, available phosphorus, Ca2+, and Mg2+ showed a reversed pattern. Linear mixed-effects models generally revealed significant negative correlations between root biomass and soil pH, total nitrogen, and cation exchange capacity, particularly in small roots (ßstd = -1.03 to -1.51) and coarse roots (ßstd = -6.30). Root biomass exhibited a 10-15% increase in the upper slope compared to the lower slope, particularly in fine (median = 52.0 g m2-65.64 g m2) and medium roots (median = 56.04 g m2-69.52 g m2) at a 0-20 cm soil depth. While no significant correlation between root biomass and the tree influence index was found on the lower slope, a different pattern was found on the upper slope. Our results indicate that the variation in root biomass and distribution can also be explained by the differences in the soil environment and topographical positions.

Survey on Resident Education for Surgical Dermatology in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing demand for surgical procedures in dermatology, resident education in surgical dermatology has become important for delivering high-quality treatment. However, it remains unclear if a sufficient number of residency programs with quality standards exist, as there has been little research on this subject in South Korea. OBJECTIVE: To identify the status of surgical dermatology education among residents and assess dermatologists' perceptions of the subject. METHODS: A 35-question survey was developed and distributed to all resident training hospitals and local clinics listed by the Korean Society of Dermatologic Surgery. Only third- and fourth-year residents were included and board-certified specialists from training hospitals and local clinics responded to the surveys. RESULTS: Survey participants included 88 residents and 120 specialists of whom one-quarter of the residents attended regular monthly educational sessions. Most residents (93%) participated in cosmetic procedures, and many performed laser therapy. However, the opportunity for toxin or filler injection was rare, with only 12% of the residents having experience with filler injections. In response, 49% of residents and 32% of specialists said that more cosmetic training was required, whereas 28% of residents and 50% of specialists said that more training for both cosmetic and conventional surgeries was necessary. CONCLUSION: The survey demonstrated a need for more training programs in surgical dermatology during residency and a perception gap between residents and specialists. Therefore, developing educational residency programs that focus on basic dermatologic surgery principles and their applications in cosmetic procedures is essential.

Diagnostic performance of a deep-learning model using 18F-FDG PET/CT for evaluating recurrence after radiation therapy in patients with lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We developed a deep learning model for distinguishing radiation therapy (RT)-related changes and tumour recurrence in patients with lung cancer who underwent RT, and evaluated its performance. METHODS: We retrospectively recruited 308 patients with lung cancer with RT-related changes observed on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) performed after RT. Patients were labelled as positive or negative for tumour recurrence through histologic diagnosis or clinical follow-up after 18F-FDG PET/CT. A two-dimensional (2D) slice-based convolutional neural network (CNN) model was created with a total of 3329 slices as input, and performance was evaluated with five independent test sets. RESULTS: For the five independent test sets, the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity were in the range of 0.98-0.99, 95-98%, and 87-95%, respectively. The region determined by the model was confirmed as an actual recurred tumour through the explainable artificial intelligence (AI) using gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM). CONCLUSION: The 2D slice-based CNN model using 18F-FDG PET imaging was able to distinguish well between RT-related changes and tumour recurrence in patients with lung cancer.

Re-order parameter of interacting thermodynamic magnets.

Phase diagrams of materials are typically based on a static order parameter, but it faces challenges when distinguishing subtle phase changes, such as re-ordering. Here, we report a dynamic nonequilibrium order parameter termed re-order parameter to determine subtle phases and their transitions in interacting magnets. The dynamical precession of magnetization, so-called magnon, premises as a reliable re-order parameter of strong spin-orbit coupled magnets. We employ orthoferrites YFeO3 and its Mn-doped variations, where diverse magnetic phases, including canted antiferromagnetic (Γ4) and collinear antiferromagnetic (Γ1) states, have been well-established. Low-energy magnon uncovers the spin-orbit coupling-induced subtle magnetic structures, resulting in distinct terahertz emissions. The temporal and spectral parameters of magnon emission exhibit characteristics akin to BCS-type order parameters, constructing the magnetic phase diagram of Mn-doped YFeO3. This approach further reveals a concealed ferrimagnetic phase within the Γ1 state, underscoring its potential to search for hidden phases of materials, completing their phase diagrams.

Psychiatric adverse events associated with the COVID-19 vaccines approved in the Republic of Korea: a systematic review.

This systematic review evaluated psychiatric adverse events (AEs) following vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We included studies that reported or investigated psychiatric AEs in individuals who had received an approved COVID-19 vaccine in the Republic of Korea. Systematic electronic searches of Ovid-Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, and KoreaMed databases were conducted on March 22, 2023. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-randomized Studies 2.0. The study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42023449422). Of the 301 articles initially selected, 7 were included in the final analysis. All studies reported on sleep disturbances, and 2 highlighted anxiety-related AEs. Sleep disorders like insomnia and narcolepsy were the most prevalent AEs, while depression was not reported. Our review suggests that these AEs may have been influenced by biological mechanisms as well as the broader psychosocial context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this study had limitations, such as a primary focus on the BNT162b2 vaccine and an observational study design, it offered a systematic, multi-vaccine analysis that fills a critical gap in the existing literature. This review underscores the need for continued surveillance of psychiatric AEs and guides future research to investigate underlying mechanisms, identify risk factors, and inform clinical management.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Research Center: a cornerstone for strengthening safety evidence for COVID-19 vaccination in the Republic of Korea.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Research Committee (CoVaSC) was established in November 2021 to address the growing need for independent, in-depth scientific evidence on adverse events (AEs) following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. This initiative was requested by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and led by the National Academy of Medicine of Korea. In September 2022, the COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Research Center was established, strengthening CoVaSC's initiatives. The center has conducted various studies on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. During CoVaSC's second research year, from September 29, 2022 to July 19, 2023, the center was restructured into 4 departments: Epidemiological Research, Clinical Research, Communication & Education, and International Cooperation & Policy Research. Its main activities include (1) managing CoVaSC and the COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Research Center, (2) surveying domestic and international trends in AE causality investigation, (3) assessing AEs following COVID-19 vaccination, (4) fostering international collaboration and policy research, and (5) organizing regular fora and training sessions for the public and clinicians. Causality assessments have been conducted for 27 diseases, and independent research has been conducted after organizing ad hoc committees comprising both epidemiologists and clinical experts on each AE of interest. The research process included protocol development, data analysis, interpretation of results, and causality assessment. These research outcomes have been shared transparently with the public and healthcare experts through various fora. The COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Research Center plans to continue strengthening and expanding its research activities to provide reliable, high-quality safety information to the public.

Grb7 Ablation in Mice Improved Glycemic Control, Enhanced Insulin Signaling, and Increased Abdominal fat Mass in Females.

OBJECTIVES: Growth factor receptor bound protein 7 (GRB7) is a multidomain signaling adaptor. Members of the Grb7/10/14 family, specifically Gbrb10/14, have important roles in metabolism. We ablated the Grb7 gene in mice to examine its metabolic function. METHODS: Global ablation of Grb7 in FVB/NJ mice was generated. Growth, organ weight, food intake, and glucose homeostasis were measured. Insulin signaling was examined by Western blotting. Fat and lean body mass was measured by nuclear magnetic resonance, and body composition after fasting or high-fat diet was assessed. Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry. Expression of adiposity and lipid metabolism genes was measured by quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Grb7-null mice were viable, fertile, and without obvious phenotype. Grb7 ablation improved glycemic control and displayed sensitization to insulin signaling in the liver. Grb7-null females but not males had increased gonadal white adipose tissue mass. Following a 12-week high-fat diet, Grb7-null female mice gained fat body mass and developed relative insulin resistance. With fasting, there was less decrease in fat body mass in Grb7-null female mice. Female mice with Grb7 ablation had increased baseline food intake, less energy expenditure, and displayed a decrease in the expression of lipolysis and adipose browning genes in gonadal white adipose tissue by transcript and protein analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that Grb7 is a negative regulator of glycemic control. Our results reveal a role for Grb7 in female mice in the regulation of the visceral adipose tissue mass, a powerful predictor of metabolic dysfunction in obesity.

Mechanistic Evidence for Hg Removal from Wastewater by Biologically Produced Sulfur.

A significant quantity of biologically produced sulfur (BPS) is generated as a by-product of chemical and biological desulfurization processes applied to landfill gas treatment. The beneficial upcycling of BPS has seen limited use in the environmental context. The effectiveness and underlying mechanism of BPS as an adsorbent for removing Hg2+ from both solution and wastewater were elucidated based on experiments encompassing surface characterization, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics. The BPS exhibited remarkable efficacy in removing Hg2+ from solution, with the Langmuir model accurately describing the adsorption process and showing a maximum adsorption capacity of 244 mg g-1. Surface analysis through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed that Hg2+ complexed with sulfide on BPS surfaces, forming stable HgS. The adsorbed Hg was strongly retained in BPS, with less than 0.2% of the adsorbed Hg desorbed by strong acids. Adsorption kinetics followed the double-exponential first-order model, showing an initial rapid adsorption phase wherein 75% of the initial Hg2+ was removed within 5 min, followed by a slower adsorption rate. The thermodynamic parameters suggested that adsorption of Hg2+ by BPS was a spontaneous and endothermic process. Additionally, BPS effectively removed Hg2+ from wastewater, showing preference for Hg over other co-existing metals. These findings underscore the potential of BPS as an effective adsorbent for Hg2+ removal from wastewater.

Plastic Wound Protector vs Surgical Gauze for Surgical Site Infection Reduction in Open GI Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are prevalent hospital-acquired infections with significant patient impacts and global health care burdens. The World Health Organization recommends using wound protector devices in abdominal surgery as a preventive measure to lower the risk of SSIs despite limited evidence. Objective: To examine the efficacy of a dual-ring, plastic wound protector in lowering the SSI rate in open gastrointestinal (GI) surgery irrespective of intra-abdominal contamination levels. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter, patient-blinded, parallel-arm randomized clinical trial was conducted from August 2017 to October 2022 at 13 hospitals in an academic setting. Patients undergoing open abdominal bowel surgery (eg, for bowel perforation) were eligible for inclusion. Intervention: Patients were randomized 1:1 to a dual-ring, plastic wound protector to protect the incision site of the abdominal wall (experimental group) or a conventional surgical gauze (control group). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was the rate of SSI within 30 days of open GI surgery. Results: A total of 458 patients were randomized; after 1 was excluded from the control group, 457 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis (mean [SD] age, 58.4 [12.1] years; 256 [56.0%] male; 341 [74.6%] with a clean-contaminated wound): 229 in the wound protector group and 228 in the surgical gauze group. The overall SSI rate in the intention-to-treat analysis was 15.7% (72 of 458 patients). The SSI rate for the wound protector was 10.9% (25 of 229 patients) compared with 20.5% (47 of 229 patients) with surgical gauze. The wound protector significantly reduced the risk of SSI, with a relative risk reduction (RRR) of 46.81% (95% CI, 16.64%-66.06%). The wound protector significantly decreased the SSI rate for clean-contaminated wounds (RRR, 43.75%; 95% CI, 3.75%-67.13%), particularly for superficial SSIs (RRR, 42.50%; 95% CI, 7.16%-64.39%). Length of hospital stay was similar in both groups (mean [SD], 15.2 [10.5] vs 15.3 [10.2] days), as were the overall postoperative complication rates (20.1% vs 18.8%). Conclusions and Relevance: This randomized clinical trial found a significant reduction in SSI rates when a plastic wound protector was used during open GI surgery compared with surgical gaze, supporting the World Health Organization recommendation for use of wound protector devices in abdominal surgery. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03170843.

Vitamin C Supplementation Among Pregnant Smokers and Airway Function Trajectory in Offspring: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial analyzes the association of vitamin C supplementation in women who smoked during pregnancy with airway function trajectory in their offspring at 4 to 6 years of age.

Interaction between p21-activated kinase 4 and ß-catenin as a novel pathway for PTH-dependent osteoblast activation.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) serves dual roles in bone metabolism, exhibiting both anabolic and catabolic effects. The anabolic properties of PTH have been utilized in the treatment of osteoporosis with proven efficacy in preventing fractures. Despite these benefits, PTH can be administered therapeutically for up to 2 years, and its use in patients with underlying malignancies remains a subject of ongoing debate. These considerations underscore the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms. p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is involved in bone resorption and cancer-associated osteolysis; however, its role in osteoblast function and PTH action remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to clarify the role of PAK4 in osteoblast function and its effects on PTH-induced anabolic activity. PAK4 enhanced MC3T3-E1 osteoblast viability and proliferation and upregulated cyclin D1 expression. PAK4 also augmented osteoblast differentiation, as indicated by increased mineralization found by alkaline phosphatase and Alizarin Red staining. Treatment with PTH (1-34), an active PTH fragment, stimulated PAK4 expression and phosphorylation in a protein kinase A-dependent manner. In addition, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (which is known to promote bone formation) increased phosphorylated PAK4 (p-PAK4) and PAK4 levels. PAK4 regulated the expression of both phosphorylated and total ß-catenin, which are critical for osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, p-PAK4 directly interacted with ß-catenin, and disruption of ß-catenin's binding to T-cell factor impaired PAK4- and PTH-induced osteoblast differentiation. Our findings elucidate the effect of PAK4 on enhancing bone formation in osteoblasts and its pivotal role in the anabolic activity of PTH mediated through its interaction with ß-catenin. These insights improve the understanding of the mechanisms underlying PTH activity and should inform the development of more effective and safer osteoporosis treatments.

Current use of antithymoglobulin as induction regimen in kidney transplantation: A review.

Currently, various immunosuppressive drugs are used in organ transplantation. In particular, antithymoglobulin is a widely used drug in kidney transplantation in Korea, accounting for 20% of all induction therapy. According to existing studies, antithymoglobulin induction therapy has several advantages and disadvantages compared with other immunotherapies depending on the kidney transplant situation (dead donor, living donor, low-risk recipient, and high-risk recipient) or antithymoglobulin dose. In this review, we summarize the research conducted so far on antithymoglobulin and hope that antithymoglobulin research on kidney transplantation will be actively conducted in the future.

Amination and crosslinking of acetone-fractionated hardwood kraft lignin using different amines and aldehydes for sustainable bio-based wood adhesives.

Hardwood kraft lignin from the pulping industry is burned or discarded. Its valorization was conducted by subjecting fractionation, amination with ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, and monoethanolamine, and crosslinking with formaldehyde or glyoxal to obtain bio-based wood adhesives. Acetone-soluble and insoluble hardwood kraft lignin were prepared and subjected to amination and then crosslinking. Fourier transform infrared, 13C NMR, 15N NMR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results revealed successful amination with amide, imine, and ether bonds and crosslinking of all samples. Hardwood kraft lignin aminated with diethylenetriamine/ethylenediamine and crosslinked using glyoxal exhibited excellent results in comparison with samples crosslinked using formaldehyde. Acetone-insoluble hardwood kraft lignin aminated and crosslinked using diethylenetriamine and formaldehyde, respectively, exhibited excellent adhesion strength with plywood, satisfying the requirements of the Korean standards. The amination and crosslinking of industrial waste hardwood kraft lignin constitute a beneficial valorization method.