Neurodegenerative pathways and metabolic changes in the hippocampus and cortex of mice exposed to urban particulate matter: Insights from an integrated interactome analysis.

Recently, urban particulate matter (UPM) exposure has been associated with the development of brain disorders. This study uses bioinformatic analyses to elucidate the molecular unexplored mechanisms underlying the effects of UPM exposure on the brain. Mice are exposed to UPM (from 3 days to 20 weeks), and their behavioral patterns measured. We measure pathology and gene expression in the hippocampus and cortical regions of the brain. An integrated interactome of genes is established, which enriches information on metabolic processes. Using this network, we isolate the core genes that are differentially expressed in the samples. We observe cognitive loss and pathological changes in the brains of mice at 16 or 20 weeks of exposure. Through network analysis of core-differential genes and measurement of pathway activity, we identify differences in the response to UPM exposure between the hippocampus and cortex. However, neurodegenerative disease pathways are implicated in both tissues following short-term exposure to UPM. There were also significant changes in metabolic function in both tissues depending on UPM exposure time. Additionally, the cortex of UPM-exposed mice shows more similarities with psychiatric disorders than with neurodegenerative diseases. The connectivity map database is used to isolate genes contributing to changes in expression due to UPM exposure. New approaches for inhibiting or preventing the brain damage caused by UPM exposure can be developed by targeting the functions and selected genes identified in this study.

Midterm Outcomes after Operative Management of Hawkins Type III Talar Neck Fractures.

Background: This study aims to report the midterm outcomes after surgical treatment of Hawkins Classification III Talar neck fractures. Methods: From March 2010 to April 2022, among a total of 155 patients who visited our hospital with talus fractures, 31 patients underwent surgical treatment for Hawkins classification III talar neck fractures. The inclusion criteria comprised patients with a symptom duration of over 1 year who were available for outpatient follow-up and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-up 2 months after surgery. Exclusion criteria included patients without preoperative ankle periarticular arthritis, and a total of 27 patients were enrolled. Traffic accidents and falls accounted for 86% of 23 cases, open fractures were 8 cases, and the mean follow-up period was 34.10 months (range, 12-80 months). Clinical outcomes were measured by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and Foot function index (FFI), and radiological results were obtained using simple radiographs before and after surgery and MRI at 2 months postoperatively to confirm bone union and complications. Results: Complete bone union was achieved in all cases, and the mean duration of union was 4.9 months (range, 4-6 months) and there were no nonunion and varus malunion. At the final follow-up, the mean AOFAS score was 80.18 points (range, 36-90 points) and the mean FFI score was 31.43 points (range, 10-68 points), showing relatively good clinical outcomes. There were 15 cases of avascular necrosis, 6 cases of traumatic arthritis of the ankle joint, 6 cases of irritation of the posterior tibial nerve, and 4 cases of wound problems. Conclusions: Hawkins classification III talar neck fractures are mostly caused by high-energy injuries and have a relatively poor prognosis due to the high incidence of complications such as avascular necrosis or posttraumatic arthritis. However, if correct anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation are performed within a short time after the injury, good results can be expected.

Device Closure or Antithrombotic Therapy After Cryptogenic Stroke in Elderly Patients With a High-Risk Patent Foramen Ovale.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In young patients (aged 18-60 years) with patent foramen ovale (PFO)-associated stroke, percutaneous closure has been found to be useful for preventing recurrent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). However, it remains unknown whether PFO closure is also beneficial in older patients. METHODS: Patients aged ≥60 years who had a cryptogenic stroke and PFO from ten hospitals in South Korea were included. The effect of PFO closure plus medical therapy over medical therapy alone was assessed by a propensity-score matching method in the overall cohort and in those with a high-risk PFO, characterized by the presence of an atrial septal aneurysm or a large shunt. RESULTS: Out of the 437 patients (mean age, 68.1), 303 (69%) had a high-risk PFO and 161 (37%) patients underwent PFO closure. Over a median follow-up of 3.9 years, recurrent ischemic stroke or TIA developed in 64 (14.6%) patients. In the propensity score-matched cohort of the overall patients (130 pairs), PFO closure was associated with a significantly lower risk of a composite of ischemic stroke or TIA (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.24-0.84; P=0.012), but not for ischemic stroke. In a subgroup analysis of confined to the high-risk PFO patients (116 pairs), PFO closure was associated with significantly lower risks of both the composite of ischemic stroke or TIA (HR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.21-0.77; P=0.006) and ischemic stroke (HR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.23-0.95; P=0.035). CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO have a high recurrence rate of ischemic stroke or TIA, which may be significantly reduced by device closure.

Data Resource Profile: The Cancer Public Library Database in South Korea.

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the Cancer Public Library Database (CPLD), established under the Korean Clinical Data Utilization for Research Excellence project (K-CURE). The CPLD links data from four major population-based public sources: the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database in the Korea Central Cancer Registry, cause-of-death data in Statistics Korea, the National Health Information Database in the National Health Insurance Service, and the National Health Insurance Research Database in the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service. These databases are linked using an encrypted resident registration number. The CPLD, established in 2022 and updated annually, comprises 1,983,499 men and women newly diagnosed with cancer between 2012 and 2019. It contains data on cancer registration and death, demographics, medical claims, general health checkups, and national cancer screening. The most common cancers among men in the CPLD were stomach (16.1%), lung (14.0%), colorectal (13.3%), prostate (9.6%), and liver (9.3%) cancers. The most common cancers among women were thyroid (20.4%), breast (16.6%), colorectal (9.0%), stomach (7.8%), and lung (6.2%) cancers. Among them, 571,285 died between 2012 and 2020 owing to cancer (89.2%) or other causes (10.8%). Upon approval, the CPLD is accessible to researchers through the K-CURE portal. The CPLD is a unique resource for diverse cancer research to investigate medical use before a cancer diagnosis, during initial diagnosis and treatment, and long-term follow-up. This offers expanded insight into healthcare delivery across the cancer continuum, from screening to end-of-life care.

Mapping recommendations towards an Asian Code Against Cancer (ACAC) as part of the World Code Against Cancer Framework: an Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) initiative.

This paper outlines the process undertaken by Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) members in working towards an Asian Code Against Cancer (ACAC). The process involves: (i) identification of the criteria for selecting the existing set of national recommendations for ACAC (ii) compilation of existing national codes or recommendations on cancer prevention (iii) reviewing the scientific evidence on cancer risk factors in Asia and (iv) establishment of one or more ACAC under the World Code Against Cancer Framework. A matrix of national codes or key recommendations against cancer in ANCCA member countries is presented. These include taking actions to prevent or control tobacco consumption, obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, exposure to occupational and environmental toxins; and to promote breastfeeding, vaccination against infectious agents and cancer screening. ANCCA will continue to serve as a supportive platform for collaboration, development, and advocacy of an ACAC jointly with the International Agency for Research on Cancer/World Health Organization (IARC/WHO).

Influence of Surface Treatments on Urea Detection Using Si Electrolyte-Gated Transistors with Different Gate Electrodes.

We investigated the impact of surface treatments on Si-based electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) for detecting urea. Three types of EGTs were fabricated with distinct gate electrodes (Ag, Au, Pt) using a top-down method. These EGTs exhibited exceptional intrinsic electrical properties, including a low subthreshold swing of 80 mV/dec, a high on/off current ratio of 106, and negligible hysteresis. Three surface treatment methods ((3-amino-propyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) and glutaraldehyde (GA), 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (11-MUA), 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA)) were individually applied to the EGTs with different gate electrodes (Ag, Au, Pt). Gold nanoparticle binding tests were performed to validate the surface functionalization. We compared their detection performance of urea and found that APTES and GA exhibited the most superior detection characteristics, followed by 11-MUA and 3-MPA, regardless of the gate metal. APTES and GA, with the highest pKa among the three surface treatment methods, did not compromise the activity of urease, making it the most suitable surface treatment method for urea sensing.

A Simple Tube Escape Assay to Test Learning and Memory in Zebrafish with Minimized Habituation.

Various methods have been used in rodents to evaluate learning and memory. Although much less frequently used, the zebrafish emerges as an alternative model organism in this context. For example, it allows assessing potential behavioral deficits because of neurodevelopmental disorders or environmental neurotoxins. A variety of learning tasks have been employed in previous studies that required extensive habituation and training sessions. Here, we introduce a simpler and faster method to evaluate learning and memory of zebrafish with minimum habituation. A new apparatus, a transparent L-shaped tube, was developed in which we trained each zebrafish to swim through a long arm and measured the time to swim through this arm. We demonstrate that in this task, zebrafish could acquire both short-term (1 h) and long-term memory (4 days). We also studied learning and memory of a gene knockout (KO) zebrafish that showed social impairments related to autism. We found KO mutant zebrafish to show a quantitative impairment in habituation, learning, and memory performance compared with wild-type control fish. In conclusion, we established a novel learning apparatus and sensitive paradigm that allowed us to evaluate learning and memory of adult zebrafish that required only a brief habituation period and minimal training.

Overweight as a biomarker for concomitant thyroid cancer in patients with Graves' disease.

The incidence of concomitant thyroid cancer in Graves' disease varies and Graves' disease can make the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules more challenging. Since the majority of Graves' disease patients primarily received non-surgical treatment, identifying biomarkers for concomitant thyroid cancer in patients with Graves' disease may facilitate planning the surgery. The aim of this study is to identify the biomarkers for concurrent thyroid cancer in Graves' disease patients and evaluate the impact of being overweight on cancer risk. This retrospective cohort study analyzed 122 patients with Graves' disease who underwent thyroid surgery at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital (Seoul, Korea) from May 2010 to December 2022. Body mass index (BMI), preoperative thyroid function test, and thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TR-Ab) were measured. Overweight was defined as a BMI of 25 kg/m² or higher according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Most patients (88.5%) underwent total or near-total thyroidectomy. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients who were overweight had a higher risk of malignancy (Odds ratios, 3.108; 95% confidence intervals, 1.196-8.831; p = 0.021). Lower gland weight and lower preoperative TR-Ab were also biomarkers for malignancy in Graves' disease. Overweight patients with Graves' disease had a higher risk of thyroid cancer than non-overweight patients. A comprehensive assessment of overweight patients with Graves' disease is imperative for identifying concomitant thyroid cancer.

Effect of Quasi-One-Dimensional Properties on Source/Drain Contacts in Vertical Nanowire Field-Effect Transistors (VNWFETs).

In this study, we investigated the influence of quasi-one-dimensional (Quasi-1D) characteristics on the source and drain contact resistances within vertical nanowire (NW) field-effect transistors (FETs) of diminutive diameter. The top contact of the NW is segregated into two distinct regions: the first encompassing the upper surface, designated as the axial contact, and the second encircling the side surface, known as the radial contact, which is formed during the top-contact metal deposition process. Quantum confinement effects, prominent within Quasi-1D NWs, exert significant constraints on radial transport, consequently inducing a noticeable impact on contact resistance. Notably, in the radial direction, electron tunneling occurs only through quantized, discrete energy levels. Conversely, along the axial direction, electron tunneling freely traverses continuous energy levels. In a meticulous numerical analysis, these disparities in transport mechanisms unveiled that NWs with diameters below 30 nm exhibit a markedly higher radial contact resistance compared to their axial counterparts. Furthermore, an increase in the overlap length (less than 5 nm) contributes to a modest reduction in radial resistance; however, it remains consistently higher than the axial contact resistance.

Optimal timing for the first cystoscopic follow-up using time-to-treatment initiation analysis of oncologic outcomes in primary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Various guidelines recommend the first follow-up cystoscopy at 3 months; however, no data exist on the optimal timing for initial follow-up cystoscopy. We tried to provide evidence on the timing of the first cystoscopy after the initial transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT) for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) using big data. This was a retrospective National Health Insurance Service database analysis. The following outcomes were considered: recurrence, progression, cancer-specific mortality, and all-cause mortality. Exposure was the time-to-treatment initiation (TTI), a continuous variable representing the time to the first cystoscopy from the first TUR-BT within 1 year. Additionally, we categorized TTI (TTIc) into five levels: < 2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, and 8-12 months. A landmark time of 1 year after the initial TUR-BT was described to address immortal-time bias. We identified the optimal time for the first cystoscopy using Cox regression models with and without restricted cubic splines (RCS) for TTI and TTIc, respectively. Among 26,660 patients, 16,880 (63.3%) underwent cystoscopy within 2-4 months. A U-shaped trend of the lowest risks at TTI was observed in the 2-4 months group for progression, cancer-specific mortality, and all-cause mortality. TTI within 0-2 months had a higher risk of progression (aHR 1.36; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.15-1.60; p < 0.001) and cancer-specific mortality (aHR 1.29; 95% CI 1.05-1.58; p = 0.010). Similarly, TTI within 8-12 months had a higher risk of progression (aHR 2.09; 95% CI 1.67-2.63; p < 0.001) and cancer-specific mortality (aHR 1.96; 95% CI 1.48-2.60; p < 0.001). Based on the RCS models, the risks of progression, cancer-specific mortality, and all-cause mortality were lowest at TTI of 4 months. The timing of the first cystoscopy follow-up was associated with oncologic prognosis. In our model, undergoing cystoscopy at 4 months has shown the best outcomes in clinical course. Therefore, patients who do not receive cystoscopy at approximately 4 months for any reason need more careful follow-up to predict a poor clinical course.

Cost-Utility Analysis of Early Detection with Ultrasonography of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Retrospective Study on a Korean Population.

BACKGRUOUND: There is debate about ultrasonography screening for thyroid cancer and its cost-effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of early screening (ES) versus symptomatic detection (SD) for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in Korea. METHODS: A Markov decision analysis model was constructed to compare the cost-effectiveness of ES and SD. The model considered direct medical costs, health outcomes, and different diagnostic and treatment pathways. Input data were derived from literature and Korean population studies. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated. Willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold was set at USD 100,000 or 20,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to address uncertainties of the model's variables. RESULTS: In a base case scenario with 50 years of follow-up, ES was found to be cost-effective compared to SD, with an ICER of $2,852 per QALY. With WTP set at $100,000, in the case with follow-up less than 10 years, the SD was cost-effective. Sensitivity analysis showed that variables such as lobectomy probability, age, mortality, and utility scores significantly influenced the ICER. Despite variations in costs and other factors, all ICER values remained below the WTP threshold. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study indicate that ES is a cost-effective strategy for DTC screening in the Korean medical system. Early detection and subsequent lobectomy contribute to the cost-effectiveness of ES, while SD at an advanced stage makes ES more cost-effective. Expected follow-up duration should be considered to determine an optimal strategy for DTC screening.

Prediction of Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Korea, 2024.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to report the projected cancer incidence and mortality for the year 2024 to estimate Korea's current cancer burden. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cancer incidence data from 1999 to 2021 were obtained from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database, and cancer mortality data from 1993 to 2022 were acquired from Statistics Korea. Cancer incidence and mortality were projected by fitting a linear regression model to observed age-specific cancer rates against their respective years and multiplying the projected age-specific rates by the anticipated age-specific population for 2024. A joinpoint regression model was used to determine the year in which the linear trend changed significantly; we only used the data of the latest trend for prediction. RESULTS: In total, 292,221 new cancer cases and 83,770 cancer deaths are expected to occur in Korea in 2024. The most common cancer site is expected to be the thyroid, followed by the colon and rectum, lung, breast, and stomach. These five cancers are expected to represent 55.7% of the overall burden of cancer in Korea. The most common type of cancer leading to death is expected to be lung cancer, followed by liver, colorectal, pancreatic, and stomach cancers. CONCLUSION: The age-standardized incidence rates for female breast and prostate cancers are estimated to continue to increase. These up-to-date estimates of the cancer burden in Korea could be an important resource for planning and evaluating cancer-control programs.

Sensing Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Using Aptamer-Functionalized Si-Based Electrolyte-Gated Field-Effect Transistor (EGT).

The sensing responses of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein using top-down-fabricated Si-based electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) have been investigated. An aptamer was employed as a receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The EGT demonstrated excellent intrinsic characteristics and higher sensitivity in the subthreshold regime compared to the linear regime. The limit of detection (LOD) was achieved as low as 0.94 pg/mL and 20 pg/mL for the current and voltage sensitivity, respectively. To analyze the sensing responses of EGT in detecting the aptamer-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein conjugate, a lumped-capacitive model with the presence of an effective dipole potential and an effective capacitance of the functionalized layer component was employed. The aptamer-functionalized EGT showed high sensitivity even in 10 mM phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. These results suggest that Si-based EGTs are a highly promising method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.

Hypointense signal lesion on susceptibility-weighted imaging as a potential indicator of vertebral artery dissection in medullary infarction.

Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is often associated with medullary infarction; however, an underlying cause may be underestimated. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic potential of hypointense signal lesions along the arterial pathways using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) as a feasible indicator of VAD in medullary infarction. A retrospective analysis was conducted using clinical data, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography records of 79 patients diagnosed with medullary infarction between January 2014 and December 2021. Patients were categorized into an angiography-confirmed dissection group and a non-dissection group based on imaging findings. A new possible dissection group was identified using SWI, including cases with hypointense signals along the arteries without calcification or cardioembolism. We compared the clinical characteristics of the two groups before and after the addition of the hypointense signal as a marker of VAD. The angiography-confirmed dissection group included 12 patients (15%). Among patients lacking angiographic VAD evidence, 14 subjects displayed hypointense signals on SWI: nine patients along the vertebral artery and five subjects at the posterior inferior cerebellar artery without calcification or cardioembolism. The newly classified dissection group was younger, had a lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus and stroke history, and revealed increased headaches compared to the non-dissection group. Hypointense signal detection on SWI in medullary infarctions shows promise as a diagnostic indicator for VAD. Suspicion of VAD is needed when the hypointense signal on SWI is noted, and considering different treatment strategies with angiographic follow-up will be helpful.

Diagnostic utilities of washout CYFRA 21-1 combined with washout thyroglobulin for metastatic lymph nodes in thyroid cancer: a prospective study.

Cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis is common in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). This study evaluated the utility of the washout CYFRA 21-1 level, combined with the thyroglobulin (Tg) concentration, in terms of diagnosis of LN metastasis. We prospectively enrolled 53 patients who underwent thyroid surgery to treat DTC with lateral cervical LN metastases. Preoperative ultrasound guided needle localization was used to surgical sampling of specific LNs during the operation. The intraoperative washout Tg and CYFRA 21-1 levels were measured in such LNs. The Tg and CYFRA 21-1 levels differed significantly between metastatic and benign LNs. The cutoff values were 2.63 ng/mL for washout CYFRA 21-1 and 22.62 ng/mL for Tg. Combined use of the washout Tg and CYFRA 21-1 levels afforded the highest diagnostic accuracy (92.5%), better than that of individual markers. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) were 94.6%, 90.0%, 91.4%, 93.8%, respectively. The conjunction of the washout CYFRA21-1 and Tg levels enhances the diagnostic accuracy of LN metastasis in DTC patients. The washout CYFRA 21-1 level may be useful when malignancy is suspected, especially in cases where the cytology and washout Tg findings do not provide definitive results.

Monocarboxylate transporter-1 (MCT-1) inhibitors screened from autodisplayed FV-antibody library.

Monocarboxylate transporter-1 (MCT-1) inhibitors were screened from the Fv-antibody library, which contained complementary determining region 3 with randomized amino acid sequences (11 residues) through site-directed mutagenesis. Fv-antibodies against MCT-1 were screened from the autodisplayed Fv-antibody library. Two clones were screened, and the binding affinity (KD) against MCT-1 was estimated using flow cytometry. The screened Fv-antibodies were expressed as soluble fusion proteins (Fv-1 and Fv-2) and the KD for MCT-1 was estimated using the SPR biosensor. The inhibitory activity of the expressed Fv-antibodies was observed in HEK293T and Jurkat cell lines by measuring intracellular pH and lactate accumulation. The level of cell viability in HEK293T and Jurkat cell lines was decreased by the inhibitory activity of the expressed Fv-antibodies. The binding properties of the Fv-antibodies to MCT-1 were analyzed using molecular docking simulations. Overall, the results showed that the screened Fv-antibodies against MCT-1 from the Fv-antibody library had high binding affinity and inhibitory activity against MCT-1, which could be used as potential therapeutic drug candidates for the MCT-1 inhibitor.

Cancer Statistics in Korea: Incidence, Mortality, Survival, and Prevalence in 2021.

PURPOSE: The current study provides national cancer statistics and their secular trends in Korea, including incidence, mortality, survival, and prevalence in 2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Incidence, survival, and prevalence rates of cancer were calculated using the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database, from 1999 to 2021, with survival follow-up until December 31, 2022. Deaths from cancer were assessed using causes-of-death data obtained from Statistics Korea. RESULTS: The number of new cancer diagnoses in 2021 increased by 27,002 cases (10.8%) compared to 2020. In 2021, newly diagnosed cancer cases and deaths from cancer were reported as 277,523 (age-standardized rate [ASR], 289.3 per 100,000) and 82,688 (ASR, 67.6 per 100,000), respectively. The overall cancer incidence rates increased by 3.3% annually from 1999 to 2012, and decreased by 5.3% from 2012 to 2015, thereafter, followed by non-significant changes. Cancer mortality rates have been decreasing since 2002, with more rapid decline in recent years (annual decrease of 2.8% from 2002 to 2013; 3.2% from 2013 to 2021). The 5-year relative survival between 2017 and 2021 was 72.1%, which contributed to prevalent cases reaching over 2.4 million in 2021. CONCLUSION: In 2021, the number of newly diagnosed cancer patients increased as healthcare utilization recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019-related declines of 2020. Revised cancer registration guidelines expanded the registration scope, particularly for stomach and colorectal cancer. Survival rates have improved over the years, leading to a growing population of cancer survivors, necessitating a comprehensive cancer control strategy. The long-term impact of the pandemic on cancer statistics requires future investigation.

Cost-effectiveness of intraoperative neural monitoring of recurrent laryngeal nerves in thyroid lobectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Purpose: Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury after thyroid surgery may cause vocal cord palsy (VCP), which leads to unexpected additional costs. In recent years, intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) has been used to lower the incidence rate of VCP. This study aimed to analyze postoperative management costs for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: We analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent lobectomy for PTC from September 2018 to August 2019 at The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. A total of 411 patients were enrolled and all the patients had voice examinations. We investigated the total costs in the IONM and non-IONM groups during a maximum 1-year follow-up and calculated the additional costs due to VCP by subtraction of the mean values in each group. Results: The incidence rate of VCP was 3.9% (16 of 411). Extrathyroidal extension was related to VCP in Cox regression tests and accounted for 3.2% (13 of 411). VCP rate did not show a significant difference between the IONM and non-IONM groups (4.1% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.883). Total costs for postoperative management were higher in the IONM group than in the non-IONM group (US $328.2 ± $220.1 vs. $278.7 ± $141.4, P < 0.05). However, the additional costs due to VCP were significantly lower in the IONM group than in the non-IONM group ($474.1 ± $150.3 vs. $568.9 ± $367.6, P < 0.005). Conclusion: The use of IONM can mitigate the increase in costs by saving additional expenses associated with VCP.

A one-step immunoassay based on switching peptides for diagnosis of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) using screened Fv-antibodies.

In this study, a one-step immunoassay for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) based on Fv-antibodies and switching peptides was developed, and the assay results of PEDV were obtained by just mixing samples without any further reaction or washing steps. The Fv-antibodies with binding affinity to the spike protein of PEDV were screened from the Fv-antibody library using the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein as a screening probe. Screened Fv-antibodies with binding affinities to the RBD antigen were expressed, and the binding constants (KD) were calculated to be 83-142 nM. The one-step immunoassay for the detection of PEDV was configured as a displacement immunoassay using a fluorescence-labeled switching peptide. The one-step immunoassay based on switching peptides was performed using PEDV, and the limit of detection (LOD) values for PEDV detection were estimated to be Ct = 39.7-36.4. Compared with the LOD value for a conventional lateral flow immunoassay (Ct = 33.0), the one-step immunoassay showed a remarkably improved LOD for the detection of PEDV. Finally, the interaction between the screened Fv-antibodies and the PEDV RBD was investigated using docking simulations and compared with the amino acid sequences of the receptors on host cells, such as aminopeptidase N (APN) and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2).

Lessons on harmonization of scoring criteria for dicentric chromosome assay in South Korea.

PURPOSE: Networking with other biodosimetry laboratories is necessary to assess the radiation exposure of many individuals in large-scale radiological accidents. The Korea biodosimetry network, K-BioDos, prepared harmonized scoring guidelines for dicentric chromosome assay to obtain homogeneous results within the network and investigated the efficiency of the guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three laboratories in K-BioDos harmonized the scoring guidelines for dicentric chromosome assay. The results of scoring dicentric chromosomes using the harmonized scoring guidelines were compared with the laboratories' results using their own methods. Feedback was collected from the scorers following the three intercomparison exercises in 3 consecutive years. RESULTS: K-BioDos members showed comparable capacity to score dicentrics in the three exercises. However, the results of the K-BioDos guidelines showed no significant improvement over those of the scorers' own methods. According to the scorers, our harmonized guidelines led to more rejected metaphases and ultimately decreased the number of scorable metaphases compared with their own methods. Moreover, the scoring time was sometimes longer with the K-BioDos protocol because some scorers were not yet familiar with the guidelines, though most scorers reported that the time decreased or was unchanged. These challenges may cause low adherence to the guidelines. Most scorers expressed willingness to use the guidelines to select scorable metaphases or identify dicentrics for other biodosimetry works, whereas one did not want to use it due to the difference from their calibration curves. CONCLUSIONS: We identified potential resistance to following the harmonized guidelines and received requests for more detailed methods. Our findings suggest that the harmonized criteria should be continually updated, and education and training should be provided for all scorers. These changes could allow members within the biodosimetry network to successfully collaborate and support each other in large-scale radiological accidents.