Light-Triggered PROTAC Nanoassemblies for Photodynamic IDO Proteolysis in Cancer Immunotherapy.

While proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) hold great potential for persistently reprogramming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITM) via targeted protein degradation, precisely activating them in tumor tissues and preventing uncontrolled proteolysis at off-target sites remain challenging. Herein, we report a light-triggered PROTAC nanoassembly (LPN) for photodynamic indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) proteolysis. The LPN is derived from the self-assembly of prodrug conjugates, which comprise a PROTAC, cathepsin B-specific cleavable peptide linker and photosensitizer, without any additional carrier materials. In colon tumor models, intravenously injected LPNs initially silence the activity of PROTACs and accumulate significantly in targeted tumor tissues due to an enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Subsequently, the cancer biomarker cathepsin B begins to trigger the release of active PROTACs from the LPNs through enzymatic cleavage of the linkers. Upon light irradiation, tumor cells undergo immunogenic cell death (ICD) induced by photodynamic therapy (PDT) to promote the activation of effector T cells, while the continuous IDO degradation of PROTAC simultaneously blocks tryptophan metabolite-regulated regulatory T cell-mediated immunosuppression. Such LPN-mediated combinatorial photodynamic IDO proteolysis effectively inhibits tumor growth, metastasis and recurrence. Collectively, this study presents a promising nanomedicine, designed to synergize PROTACs with other immunotherapeutic modalities, for more effective and safer cancer immunotherapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Mucoadhesive Mesalamine Prodrug Nanoassemblies to Target Intestinal Macrophages for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

While mesalamine, a 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), is pivotal in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) through both step-up and top-down approaches in clinical settings, its widespread utilization is limited by low bioavailability at the desired site of action due to rapid and extensive absorption in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Addressing mesalamine's pharmacokinetic challenges, here, we introduce nanoassemblies composed exclusively of a mesalamine prodrug that pairs 5-ASA with a mucoadhesive and cathepsin B-cleavable peptide. In an IBD model, orally administered nanoassemblies demonstrate enhanced accumulation and sustained retention in the GI tract due to their mucoadhesive properties and the epithelial enhanced permeability and retention (eEPR) effect. This retention enables the efficient uptake by intestinal pro-inflammatory macrophages expressing high cathepsin B, triggering a burst release of the 5-ASA. This cascade fosters the polarization toward an M2 macrophage phenotype, diminishes inflammatory responses, and simultaneously facilitates the delivery of active agents to adjacent epithelial cells. Therefore, the nanoassemblies show outstanding therapeutic efficacy in inhibiting local inflammation and contribute to suppressing systemic inflammation by restoring damaged intestinal barriers. Collectively, this study highlights the promising role of the prodrug nanoassemblies in enhancing targeted drug delivery, potentially broadening the use of mesalamine in managing IBD.

Evaluating the Durability of Perfluorosulfonic Acid Membranes in Fuel Cells Using Combined Open-Circuit Voltage-Accelerated Stability Testing.

This study evaluates the chemical and mechanical durability of membranes used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells, highlighting the essential role of electrochemical tests in understanding the relationship between durability and performance. Our methodology integrates various electrochemical evaluation techniques to assess the degradation of perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes. The results highlight the considerable improvement in the chemical and mechanical durability of annealed 3M PFSA-reinforced composite membranes (RCMs) compared with their non-annealed counterparts and other membrane types, indicating their superior resilience under challenging conditions. Moreover, the results of using a combined open-circuit voltage-accelerated stability testing protocol demonstrate that annealed 3M PFSA RCMs exhibit enhanced resilience, reaching 18,000 cycles before failure, considerably outperforming NR 211 (5000 cycles) and other membranes. In addition, membrane deterioration over time can be precisely measured by interpreting electrochemical indicators (electrochemically active surface area, circuit resistance, high-frequency resistance, and proton resistance). This approach provides a clear relationship between electrochemical data and durability, offering a comprehensive understanding of how different membranes withstand operational stresses.

Characteristics of Using Oriental Medicine Clinics during the Japanese Occupation: An Analysis of the 1931 Seoul Bochun Clinic Account Book.

This article analyzes the "account book" of Kim Young-hoon (1882-1974), which summarizes information about patients at his Bochun Clinic in Seoul (then Gyeongseong) in 1931. Kim Young-hoon was a pivotal figure in the medical scene throughout the Korean Empire, the Japanese occupation, and the early years of the Republic of Korea. He left behind a large amount of documentation during his 60 years of practice at the Bochun Clinic, which he opened in the spring of 1909. In particular, the 1931 "account book" offers an insight into the daily life histories of his patients. Among the patient-visitors recorded in the account book, there were many influential people of the time, ranging from privileged individuals to anti-Japanese independence activists, from those in political and economic fields to those in academic and entertainment fields. At the same time, a significant number of lower-class people also visited the Clinic. Geographically, patients were centered in the city center of the capital, Gyeongseong, but were also widely distributed throughout the country. There are indications that those from the rural areas stayed in the homes of their acquaintances in Seoul. As such, the account book provides a tangible, concrete picture of the clinic's management for the year 1931, including visitor demographics, visiting diagnoses, telephone consultations, and the total cost of medicinal prescriptions. Because the account book is a one-year statistic, it has its limitations; however, it is the smallest unit that can be analyzed statistically. It provides insights into how many people came in over the course of a year and how much they spent. The expenditures are kept per individual family. The patient's name, prescribed medication, and the price of the medicine are mandatorily included, and in many cases, the place of residence and family relationships are also noted. The account book shows several layers of householders, servants, and employees in the extended family; it also shows people in various occupations. A few privileged families accounted for nearly half of the total expenditures, and the powerful visited frequently, utilizing Oriental medicine for many of their daily needs. For some, the Bochun Clinic is reminiscent of the royal temples of the dynasties. Patients come from the center and suburbs of Seoul, as well as from all over the country. In one year, more than one thousand types of prescriptions are issued and the total cost of medicines is about 33 seom (≒180 liters of rice). Although there is a concentration of high-frequency prescriptions, more than a thousand prescriptions are prescribed only once, which shows that the practice is specialized for each individual. Patient visits, consultations, and telephone use are observed, and the use of new drugs, quinine, and special ginseng as one-herb medication (danbang) are also noticeable. The statistical analysis of the 1931 Bochun Clinic "account book" can serve as a milestone for comparative analysis of the patterns of herbal medicine use before and after that year. Meanwhile, the Bochun Clinic "account book" shows the continuation of traditional practices of herbal medicine by both the powerful and the masses. On the one hand, Koreans responded to the coercive tide of modernity symbolized by the Imperial Governorate of Japan, but on the other hand, they were unwilling to let go of tradition and their own authority. While actively embracing the tide of civilization, Koreans also internalized their own rationality and sought to open a new path forward, a sentiment discernible between the lines of the "account book."

Association between intra-individual variability and prefrontal cortex activity measured by functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) in children with ADHD.

This study uses fNIRS to determine whether there is a difference in the relationship between intra-individual variability and frontal lobe activity between ADHD patients and typically developing children. A total of 28 subjects (14 in ADHD patient group and 14 in control group) participated in this study. The subjects were tested for K-SADS and intelligence, and then the frontal lobe activity of the subjects was measured by continuous performance test, using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRSIT). Processing speed index was significantly lower in the ADHD patient group than in the control group (p = .04). The CPT test results showed a positive correlation in the activity of the right dorsolateral prefrontal region in the patient group, but not at a statistically significant level. In the control group, activity showed a significant level of negative correlation with commission and hit reaction time standard deviation (p = .023; p = .063 respectively). In contrary to ADHD patient group, activation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal area was significantly correlated with reduction of intra-individual variability. This result showing that the relationship between activation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal area of the ADHD patient group and intra-individual variability shows a different pattern from typically developing children.

Poly(p-phenylene)-based membranes with cerium for chemically durable polymer electrolyte fuel cell membranes.

A poly(p-phenylene)-based multiblock polymer is developed with an oligomeric chain extender and cerium (CE-sPP-PPES + Ce3+) to realize better performance and durability in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The membrane performance is evaluated in single cells at 80 °C and at 100% and 50% relative humidity (RH). The accelerated stability test is conducted 90 °C and 30% RH, during which linear sweep voltammetry and hydrogen permeation detection are monitored periodically. Results demonstrate that the proton conductivity of the pristine hydrocarbon membranes is superior to that of PFSA membranes, and the hydrogen crossover is significantly lower. In addition, a composite membrane containing cerium performs similarly to a pristine membrane, particularly at low RH levels. Adding cerium to CE-sPP-PPES + Ce3+ membranes improves their chemical durability significantly, with an open circuit voltage decay rate of only 89 µV/h for 1000 h. The hydrogen crossover is maintained across accelerated stability tests, as confirmed by hydrogen detection and crossover current density. The short-circuit resistance indicates that membrane thinning is less likely to occur. Collectively, these results demonstrate that a hydrocarbon membrane with cerium is a potential alternative for fuel cell applications.

Atomistic Probing of Defect-Engineered 2H-MoTe2 Monolayers.

Point defects dictate various physical, chemical, and optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials, and therefore, a rudimentary understanding of the formation and spatial distribution of point defects is a key to advancement in 2D material-based nanotechnology. In this work, we performed the demonstration to directly probe the point defects in 2H-MoTe2 monolayers that are tactically exposed to (i) 200 °C-vacuum-annealing and (ii) 532 nm-laser-illumination; and accordingly, we utilize a deep learning algorithm to classify and quantify the generated point defects. We discovered that tellurium-related defects are mainly generated in both 2H-MoTe2 samples; but interestingly, 200 °C-vacuum-annealing and 532 nm-laser-illumination modulate a strong n-type and strong p-type 2H-MoTe2, respectively. While 200 °C-vacuum-annealing generates tellurium vacancies or tellurium adatoms, 532 nm-laser-illumination prompts oxygen atoms to be adsorbed/chemisorbed at tellurium vacancies, giving rise to the p-type characteristic. This work significantly advances the current understanding of point defect engineering in 2H-MoTe2 monolayers and other 2D materials, which is critical for developing nanoscale devices with desired functionality.

Learning Curve for Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS) is emerging as an effective, minimally invasive surgery technique for brain tumors of the pituitary fossa. Using a surgical endoscope, surgeons can obtain a broader, nearer, and more apparent visual field with minimal keyhole entrance. However, ETSS may require a steep learning curve to achieve technical competence and relevant outcomes. Moreover, there is no consensus on the learning process of ETSS. We aimed to review and determine the technical proficiency points of ETSS and discuss how to accelerate the learning curve. METHODS: Core databases, including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, were systematically searched for learning curve studies that demonstrated the clinical outcomes and learning status of ETSS for pituitary adenomas using numerical data. Quality assessments of the included articles were performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The cutoff points were evaluated based on various outcome measures. RESULTS: Eleven full-text articles, representing 2780 cases, were selected from 317 screened studies. The outcome measures were operative time, tumor removal, endocrinological results, visual field, and surgical complications. The plateaus or cutoff points in the learning curve varied with a mean of 103 ± 139.43 (range, 9-500) cases. CONCLUSIONS: ETSS is an efficient and minimally invasive alternative surgical option for pituitary tumors. Plateau points may differ according to outcome measures, patient selection, training status, and surgical conditions. Therefore, great care should be taken when interpreting the learning curve. A systematic training program is essential to improve the learning process of endoscopic neurosurgical procedures.

Full automation of point defect detection in transition metal dichalcogenides through a dual mode deep learning algorithm.

Point defects often appear in two-dimensional (2D) materials and are mostly correlated with physical phenomena. The direct visualisation of point defects, followed by statistical inspection, is the most promising way to harness structure-modulated 2D materials. Here, we introduce a deep learning-based platform to identify the point defects in 2H-MoTe2: synergy of unit cell detection and defect classification. These processes demonstrate that segmenting the detected hexagonal cell into two unit cells elaborately cropped the unit cells: further separating a unit cell input into the Te2/Mo column part remarkably increased the defect classification accuracies. The concentrations of identified point defects were 7.16 × 1020 cm2 of Te monovacancies, 4.38 × 1019 cm2 of Te divacancies and 1.46 × 1019 cm2 of Mo monovacancies generated during an exfoliation process for TEM sample-preparation. These revealed defects correspond to the n-type character mainly originating from Te monovacancies, statistically. Our deep learning-oriented platform combined with atomic structural imaging provides the most intuitive and precise way to analyse point defects and, consequently, insight into the defect-property correlation based on deep learning in 2D materials.

Treatment Outcome of the Brain Metastases in Peri-Rolandic Area: Comparison Between Surgery and Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

BACKGROUND: Brain metastases of peri-Rolandic area is crucial as it directly impacts the quality of life for cancer patients. Surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is considered for peri-Rolandic brain metastases as for other brain metastases. However, the benefit of each treatment modality on functional outcome has not been clearly defined for this tumor. The purpose of this study is to compare the functional course of each treatment and to suggest an effective treatment for patients' quality of life. METHODS: Fifty-two patients who had undergone SRS or surgery for brain metastasis confirmed by enhanced MRI were enrolled retrospectively. Overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), and functional outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, univariate, multivariate analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Median OS and PFS were 13.3 months and 8.9 months in our study population. Treatment modalities were not significant factors for OS and PFS. Extracranial systemic cancer progression was significant factor for both parameters (p=0.030 for OS and p=0.040 for PFS). Median symptom improvement (improvement of at least 1 grade after surgery compared to preoperative state) time was significantly shorter in surgery group than in the SRS group (10.5 days vs. 37.5 days, p=0.034). CONCLUSION: Surgery for brain metastases can contribute to a positive quality of life for the remaining duration of the patient's life.

Gender Differences in the Association between Workplace Bullying and Depression among Korean Employees.

Workplace bullying is a prevalent issue with a significant impact on employees' mental health. This study aimed to explore the relationship between workplace bullying and the prevalence of depression, with a particular focus on the role of gender. A total of 12,344 Korean employees aged 19-65 years were included in the study. They completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and a score of 16 or higher in CES-D indicated depression. The association between workplace bullying and depression was analyzed using logistic regression analyses. The average CES-D scores were higher for both male and female employees who experienced bullying than for those who did not (p < 0.001). The association between the experience of workplace bullying and the prevalence of depression was statistically significant for both genders, with a stronger correlation observed among male employees (p for interaction < 0.001). Organizations are urged to address workplace bullying, particularly for male employees, through the implementation of anti-bullying strategies and policies, as well as the provision of mental health resources and support.

Examining the links between burnout and suicidal ideation in diverse occupations.

Introduction: It is uncertain whether burnout is associated with suicidal ideation among workers not in health care services. The aim of this study was to identify how burnout and suicidal ideation are linked among employees in various occupations and whether depression affects this link. Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data from 12,083 participants aged 19-65 years from 25 companies and public institutions who underwent workplace mental health screening. Burnout and depression were assessed using both the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Suicidal ideation was assessed by a self-rated questionnaire from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results: Exhaustion but not the cynicism dimension of burnout was associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation after adjustment for depression and other covariates (odds ratio [OR] = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.26-1.72). The association of exhaustion with suicidal ideation was significant in both depressed (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.14-1.61) and not depressed (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.13-2.76) participants. In exhausted participants, insufficient job control, an unfavorable occupational climate, low educational level, and depression were associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation. Conclusion: Exhaustion is linked with risk of suicidal ideation in employees not in health care service, regardless of depression status. Exhausted employees, particularly those having poor job resources, should be recognized as an at-risk group.

Occupational stress and depression of Korean employees: Moderated mediation model of burnout and grit.

BACKGROUND: The present study investigated an interpersonal model of development of depressive symptoms in employees, where occupational stress affects burnout, which in turn affects risk for depression, and whether this mediation is moderated by grit. METHODS: A total of 11,421 participants, aged 19 to 65 years, who were employees of 18 private companies and local government organizations in Korea were included. They completed questionnaires, including the Korean version of occupational stress scale, Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale and Grit scale. Mediation and moderation analyses were carried out in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences PROCESS macro. RESULTS: The association between occupational stress and depressive symptoms was mediated by exhaustion (b = -0.256, 95 % CI [0.244, 0.268]) and disengagement (b = -0.052, 95 % CI [0.039, 0.065]). Moreover, the effect of exhaustion on depressive symptoms was moderated by each grit, with the effect being stronger for employees with low grit (b = 0.939, p < 0.001 for passion and b = 0.629, p < 0.001 for perseverance) than for those with high grit (b = 0.944, p < 0.001 for passion and b = 0.686, p < 0.001 for perseverance). LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design of the study does not allow causal inferences. CONCLUSIONS: These findings contribute to the understanding of how occupational stress predicts depressive symptoms in the workplace and provide practical implications for preventing burnout and nurturing grit to protect employees' mental health in the workplace.

How Did the Clinical Medicine Progress during the Unified Silla Era: Installment of the Medical Education Center 'Uihak', and Its Effects.

In this research, I aimed to recognize the historical meaning of installing the medical education center, 'Uihak', during the Silla dynasty. 'Uihak' was installed in 692, in the first year of King Hyoso 's rule. 'Uihak' was founded by using various Chinese medical classics as its textbooks for medical education, such as the Classic of Plain Questions. The wooden prescriptions excavated from Anapji, which is thought to have been created in the middle of the 8th century, and the Chinese medical book Prescriptions for Universal Benefit, which the envoy of Silla tried to acquire in 803, reflect the idea on medicine during that period in Silla. By this time, the field of medicine began to develop the idea to discern the locations and mechanism of disease patterns by centering on the viscera and bowels while making use of the herbal prescriptions based on various drugs. This means that clinical medicine founded upon the medical education achieved in 'Uihak' was being realized in the medical fields as well. According to the Chronicles of the Three States, for the illness of Queen Sunduk in 636, medicine, praying, and the method of esoteric Buddhism was tried out as a means of her cure. Comparatively, for the treatment of the first rank Chunggong in 822, the Kingdom's representative doctor with professional medical knowledge was sought out to fine a cure. The analyses of the human disease, diagnosis, treatment method, etc., given by the kingdom's representative doctor were identical to those recommended in the medical textbooks used in 'Uihak'. As such, we can posit that his academic background was 'Uihak' and the education given there. The Classic of Materia Medica, which was also used in 'Uihak', was a book professionally centered on the drug branch of medicine. The Classic of Materia Medica is a terminology referring to various books on drugs, including the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica, the Variorum of the Classic of Materia Medica, the Newly Revised Materia Medica, etc. Thus, we cannot specify what the classic of Materia Medica actually taught, based on only its terminology. However, based on the wooden prescriptions excavated from Anapji, and from the terminology of drugs recorded in the drug trading document Purchase List for Silla goods preserved in Shosoin of Japan, we can hypothesize that in the middle of the 8th century, the Newly Revised Materia Medica was indeed being circulated. Based on these evidences, we can also hypothesize that Silla was part of the network of drug trading that encompassed the entire region of Asia. After unifying the Korean peninsula, the Kingdom of Silla actively adopted the medical educational system of Tang China. By using the obtained medical knowledge, Silla cured illnesses and used the medical knowledge on various drugs recorded in the Newly Revised Materia Medica to pursue trade with China, Japan, and other countries. Through the installation of 'Uihak', the same medicine has now begun to be officially used in East Asia, including Silla.

High Optical Contrast of Quartet Dual-Band Electrochromic Device for Energy-Efficient Smart Window.

A quartet dual-band electrochromic device (ECD) was developed to selectively control the transmittance from the visible to near-infrared wavelengths for the application of an energy-efficient smart window. The new AgNO3+TBABr+LiClO4 (ATL)-based electrolyte was developed to independently control the redox reaction of lithium and silver ions to demonstrate the quartet mode of an ECD. A dual-band ECD with a sandwich structure was assembled using an ATL-based electrolyte, WO3 electrochromic layer, and antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) ion storage layer. The employed WO3 and ATO films were fabricated using a nanoparticle deposition system (NPDS), a novel ecofriendly dry deposition method. Four modes, namely, transparent, warm, cool, and all-block modes, were demonstrated via an independent redox reaction of both lithium and silver ions through the simple control of the applied voltage. In the warm mode, the localized surface plasmon resonance effect was exploited by producing silver nanoparticles upon two-step voltage application. Furthermore, since the high surface roughness of the WO3 thin film fabricated by NPDS maximized the light scattering effect, 0% transmittance at all wavelengths was observed in the all-block mode. Dual-band ECD showed high optical contrasts of 73% and long-term durability over 1000 cycles with no degradation. Therefore, the possibility of controlling transmittance at the target wavelength was confirmed using a simple device with a simple process, suggesting a new strategy for the design of dual-band smart windows to reduce the energy consumption of buildings.

Synthesis of Sulfonated Polyphenylene Block Copolymers via In Situ Generation of Ni(0).

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) fabricated from sulfonated polyphenylenes (sPP) exhibit superior proton conductivity and electrochemical performance. However, the Ni(0) catalyst required for Colon's cross-coupling reaction for the synthesis of sPP block copolymers is expensive. Therefore, in this study, we generated Ni(0) in situ from an inexpensive Ni(II) salt in the presence of the reducing metal Zn and NaI. The sPP block copolymers were synthesized from neopentyl-protected 3,5- and 2,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonates and oligo(arylene ether ketone) using the catalyst NiBr2(PPh3)2. The block copolymers synthesized using our strategy and the Ni(0) catalyst exhibited comparable polydispersity index values and high molecular weights. Thin, transparent, and bendable PEMs fabricated using selected high-molecular-weight sPP block copolymers synthesized via our strategy exhibited similar proton conductivities to those of the block copolymers synthesized using the Ni(0) catalyst. We believe that our strategy will promote the synthesis of similar multifunctional block copolymers.

Combined petrosal approach for a huge retroclival meningioma preserving the cranial nerves.

Surgery for petroclival meningioma is challenging because cranial nerve preservation during tumor removal can be very complex. For small- to medium-sized tumors, the anatomical relationship between tumor and neurovascular structures can be assessed before surgery. However, in large tumors, cranial nerves usually cannot be seen in preoperative images. The authors present a case of a 65-year-old woman who presented with gait disturbance and hearing loss and was diagnosed with huge retroclival meningioma involving the cavernous sinus, Meckel's cave, and internal acoustic meatus. In this video, they explain the radiographical, anatomical, and surgical considerations and demonstrate the surgical technique. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2022.1.FOCVID21221.

Thirty-year clinical experience in gamma knife radiosurgery for trigeminal schwannomas.

We aimed to evaluate the radiographic and clinical outcomes after gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for trigeminal schwannomas (TSs). A total of 87 patients who underwent GKRS for TSs between 1990 and 2020 were enrolled. The mean tumor volume was 4.3 cm3. The median prescribed dose for the margins of the tumor was 13 Gy. The median follow-up duration was 64.3 months (range 12.0-311.5 months). The overall local tumor control rate was 90%, and the symptom response rate was 93%. The response rate for each symptom was 88% for facial pain, 97% for facial sensory change, and 86% for cranial nerve deficits. Nineteen (22%) patients showed transient swelling, which had regressed at the time of the last follow-up. Cystic tumors were associated with transient swelling (p = 0.04). A tumor volume of < 2.7 cm3 was associated with local tumor control in univariable analysis. Transient swelling was associated with symptom control failure in both univariable and multivariable analyses (p = 0.04, odds ratio 14.538). GKRS is an effective treatment for TSs, both for local control and symptom control.

Perceived Control and Work-Related Stress Mediate the Effects of Grit on Depression among Employees.

We developed and evaluated an interpersonal model of depression in employees, where passion and perseverance affect occupational stress and perceived control, which in turn affect risk of depression. The participants were employees of 18 private companies and local government organizations in Korea aged 19 to 65 years. A total of 11,422 participants completed questionnaires including the Korean version of the Grit scale, the occupational stress scale, the perceived control subscale in the perceived stress scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Mediation analysis was performed to determine relationships among trait-level passion and perseverance, work-related stress, perceived control, and depression. Passion and perseverance preceded depression in employees. Higher occupational stress and lower perceived control mediated the association between passion and depression, and between perseverance and depression. Passion and perseverance exert preventive effects on depression by decreasing workplace stress and elevating perceived control. Future studies should investigate the effects of psychological characteristics on the development of depression in employees.

The Association Between Alcohol Use and Suicidal Ideation Among Employees.

OBJECTIVE: The risk of suicide is assessed by identifying the relationship between alcohol-use patterns and suicidal ideation in Korean employees. METHODS: The study involved 13,858 employees who underwent workplace mental health screening at the Workplace Mental Health Institute of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital over a 6-year period between 2014 and 2019. Analysis was performed separately for Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Korea (AUDIT-K) items related to the frequency/volume of alcohol consumption (items 1 to 3, AUDIT-C) and those regarding alcohol dependence/related problems (items 4 to 10, AUDIT-D/P). Subjects were then classified into three groups on the basis of the presence or absence of clinical depression and suicidal ideation. The groups' sociodemographic factors and clinical features of depression, anxiety, and alcohol-use patterns were analyzed with a chi-square test as well as one-way analysis of variance, followed by a post hoc test using the Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: AUDIT-K and AUDIT-D/P scores were significantly associated with the presence or absence of clinical depression as well as the presence or absence of suicidal ideation (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were found among the three groups with regard to the AUDIT-C score (p=0.054). CONCLUSION: Identifying or treating alcohol dependence/related problems can help lower the occurrence of mental health problems, and suicidal ideation in particular, in employees and reduce social costs.