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Abstract Research on keloid is limited by the lack of proper in vitro and animal model reflecting in vivo status. Based on heterogeneity of keloid and important role of endothelial cells in its pathogenesis, a novel 3D in vitro keloid spheroid prepared with keloid fibroblasts and endothelial cells was evaluated in this study. Commercial cell lines of keloid fibroblasts and endothelial cells were used at various cellular ratios to generate keloid spheroids to determine the optimal condition. Keloid spheroids from three keloid patients were also made and their usefulness as in vitro models, including their responses to drugs, were assessed. Spheroids with higher endothelial cell proportions exhibited increased viability and propagation ability. Patient-derived keloid spheroids showed heterogeneity which might reflect individual clinical conditions. The optimal ratio of fibroblasts to endothelial cells was determined to be 4:1 for keloid spheroids based on gene expression and viability analyses. Patient-derived keloid spheroid showed better keloidal changes in genetic expressions than 2D monolayer culture. Spheroids exhibited varied responses and resistance to each drug used for keloids, depending on the cell type used. 3D keloid spheroids might provide an effective in vitro model for investigating disease pathogenesis and appropriate treatment modalities for future precision medicine.

Abstract The management of patients with concurrent pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) and cataract is challenging given its worse prognosis compared to other glaucoma types and the increased risk associated with cataract surgery. In this retrospective study, we investigated the long-term outcomes of cataract surgery in patients with PXG. We enrolled patients with PXG who had undergone cataract surgery at least 2 years previously and compared them with mean deviation (MD) matched patients with phakic eyes. The results showed that both groups experienced a decrease in MD, with the group of pseudophakic eyes exhibiting a significantly higher rate of decline (−2.15 ± 2.66 dB/year vs. −0.86 ± 0.95 dB/year; P = 0.040). Similarly, there was a trend towards more rapid thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer in the pseudophakic group (−2.92 ± 2.34 μm/year vs. −1.79 ± 1.71 μm/year; P = 0.074). No significant differences in the intraocular pressure parameters were observed between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that pseudophakic lens status was significantly associated with a faster rate of MD decline in patients with PXG (regression coefficient, −1.391; P = 0.022). These findings underscore the importance of close monitoring of patients with pseudophakic PXG to effectively manage glaucoma progression.

BackgroundMast cells (MCs) and neural cells (NCs) are important in a keloid microenvironment. They might contribute to fibrosis and pain sensation within the keloid. However, their involvement in pathological excessive scarring has not been adequately explored.ObjectivesTo elucidate roles of MCs and NCs in keloid pathogenesis and their correlation with disease activity.MethodsKeloid samples from chest and back regions were analyzed. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was conducted for six active keloids (AK) samples, four inactive keloids (IK) samples, and three mature scar (MS) samples from patients with keloids.ResultsThe scRNA-seq analysis demonstrated notable enrichment of MCs, lymphocytes, and macrophages in AKs, which exhibited continuous growth at the excision site when compared to IK and MS samples (P = 0.042). Expression levels of marker genes associated with activated and degranulated MCs, including FCER1G, BTK, and GATA2, were specifically elevated in keloid lesions. Notably, MCs within AK lesions exhibited elevated expression of genes such as NTRK1, S1PR1, and S1PR2 associated with neuropeptide receptors. Neural progenitor cell and non-myelinating Schwann cell (nmSC) genes were highly expressed in keloids, whereas myelinating Schwann cell (mSC) genes were specific to MS samples.ConclusionsscRNA-seq analyses of AK, IK, and MS samples unveiled substantial microenvironmental heterogeneity. Such heterogeneity might be linked to disease activity. These findings suggest the potential contribution of MCs and NCs to keloid pathogenesis. Histopathological and molecular features observed in AK and IK samples provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying pain and pruritus in keloid lesions.

Background: Gastric cancer is a common cause of global mortality, with significant challenges during treatment due to side effects and complications. Traditional herbal medicine (THM) has emerged as a potential adjuvant therapy to enhance cancer treatment by reducing side effects and bolstering the immune response. This study conducted a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of THM as an adjuvant therapy in post-surgical gastric cancer patients. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CNKI, CiNii, KMBASE, KISS, OASIS, RISS, and ScienceON databases were searched from inception through December, 2021. The outcomes considered in this analysis encompassed tumor response, quality of life (QoL), side effects, and tumor markers. Additionally, a frequency analysis of the most commonly used herbs in the included studies was conducted. A total of 36 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, and data were extracted according to study design. The analysis compared groups receiving chemotherapy alone with those receiving both chemotherapy and THM treatment. Results: The group receiving both chemotherapy and THM showed substantial improvement in tumor response compared to the chemotherapy-only control group (RR 1.25, 95% CI [1.09, 1.45]). QoL also significantly increased in the THM-treated group. Most drug adverse reactions displayed statistical significance, except for platelet reduction. Tumor markers CEA, CA19-9, and CA72-4 exhibited significant improvements, but CA125 did not. The 1, 2, and 3-year survival rates improved, with RR values of 1.08 (95% CI [1.02, 1.14]), 1.32 (95% CI [1.19, 1.47]), and 1.42 (95% CI [1.12, 1.79]) respectively. However, some publication bias was indicated. Conclusion: THM may offer potential benefits as a complementary approach to post-surgical anticancer therapy in gastric cancer patients. Improved tumor response, quality of life, and survival rates were reported. However, it is important to exercise caution due to the possibility of publication bias, and further research is needed to confirm these findings. Registration:PROSPERO CRD 42022354133

Optogenetic techniques combine optics and genetics to enable cell-specific targeting and precise spatiotemporal control of excitable cells, and they are increasingly being employed. One of the most significant advantages of the optogenetic approach is that it allows for the modulation of nearby cells or circuits with millisecond precision, enabling researchers to gain a better understanding of the complex nervous system. Furthermore, optogenetic neuron activation permits the regulation of information processing in the brain, including synaptic activity and transmission, and also promotes nerve structure development. However, the optimal conditions remain unclear, and further research is required to identify the types of cells that can most effectively and precisely control nerve function. Recent studies have described optogenetic glial manipulation for coordinating the reciprocal communication between neurons and glia. Optogenetically stimulated glial cells can modulate information processing in the central nervous system and provide structural support for nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system. These advances promote the effective use of optogenetics, although further experiments are needed. This review describes the critical role of glial cells in the nervous system and reviews the optogenetic applications of several types of glial cells, as well as their significance in neuron–glia interactions. Together, it briefly discusses the therapeutic potential and feasibility of optogenetics.

A 4-year prospective cohort study on patients with lung, gastric, hepatic, colorectal, breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer was conducted at the East-West Cancer Center (EWCC) of Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital in Daejeon, Korea. We divided patients into 2 groups based on how long they had been receiving TKM oncotherapy and compared event-free survival (EFS), telomere length change, and quality of life (QoL). The study collected data on 83 patients from October 2016 to June 2020 and discovered no statistical differences in EFS based on the duration of TKM oncotherapy. In the analysis of changes in QoL outcomes, there were no statistically significant group differences between the groups. After controlling for covariates that could affect telomere length, the long-term TKM oncotherapy group had a higher daily telomere attrition rate. The study of the relationship between telomere length and prognostic factors discovered that patients with advanced N stage at the time of diagnosis and who had previously received radiotherapy had shorter telomere length. When examining associations between SNP genotype and percentile score of telomere length, this study was able to confirm an association between telomere length and rs4387287. This study is significant because it is the first to assess the effects of TKM oncotherapy and investigate telomere length-related factors. To assess the effects of TKM oncotherapy on cancer patients’ survival and QoL, a longer-term observational study with a larger sample size is required.

Bioprinting is a widely used technique for creating three-dimensional, complex, and heterogeneous artificial tissue constructs that are biologically and biophysically similar to natural tissues. The skin is composed of several layers including the epidermis, basement membrane (BM), and dermis. However, the unique undulating structure of basement membranes (i.e. rete ridges) and the function of BM have not been extensively studied in the fabrication of engineered skin substitutes. In this study, a novel engineered skin substitute incorporating an artificially designed rete ridge (i.e. mogul-shape) was developed using bioprinting and bioinks prepared using collagen and fibrinogen. To mimic the structure of the rete ridges of skin tissue, we developed a modified bioprinting technique, controlling rheological property of bioink to create a mogul-shaped layer. In vitro cellular activities, including the expression of specific genes (those encoding vimentin, laminin-5, collagen IV, and cytokeratins), demonstrated that the engineered skin substitute exhibited more potent cellular responses than the normally bioprinted control owing to the favorable biophysical BM structure and the bioink microenvironment. Additionally, the feasibility of utilizing the bioprinted skin-structure was evaluated in a mouse model, and in vivo results demonstrated that the bioprinted skin substitutes effectively promoted wound healing capabilities. Based on these results, we suggest that bioprinted skin tissues and the bioprinting technique for mimicking rete ridges can be used not only as potential lab-chip models for testing cosmetic materials and drugs, but also as complex physiological models for understanding human skin.

Examining the relationship between the prognostic factors and the effectiveness of voice therapy is a crucial step in developing personalized treatment strategies for individuals with voice disorders. This study recommends using the multilayer perceptron model (MLP) to comprehensively analyze the prognostic factors, with various parameters, including personal habits and acoustic parameters, that can influence the effectiveness of before-and-after voice therapy in individuals with speech disorders. Various methods, including the assessment of personal characteristics, acoustic analysis, statistical analysis, binomial logistic regression analysis, and MLP, are implemented in this experiment. Accuracies of 87.5% and 85.71% are shown for the combination of optimal input parameters for female and male voices, respectively, through the MLP model. This fact validates the selection of input parameters when building our model. Good prognostic indicators for the clinical effectiveness of voice therapy in voice disorders are jitter (post-treatment) for females and MPT (pre-treatment) for males. The results are expected to provide a foundation for modeling research utilizing artificial intelligence in voice therapy for voice disorders. In terms of follow-up studies, it will be necessary to conduct research that utilizes big data to analyze the optimal parameters for predicting the clinical effectiveness of voice disorders.

Abstract Glaucoma treatment is usually initiated with topical medication that lowers the intraocular pressure (IOP) by reducing the aqueous production, enhancing the aqueous outflow, or both. However, the effect of topical IOP-lowering medications on the microstructures of the aqueous outflow pathway are relatively unknown. In this retrospective, observational study, 56 treatment-naïve patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were enrolled. Images of the nasal and temporal corneoscleral limbus were obtained using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). The conjunctival vessels and iris anatomy were used as landmarks to select the same limbal area scan, and the trabecular meshwork (TM) width, TM thickness, and Schlemm’s canal (SC) area were measured before and after using the IOP-lowering agents for 3 months. Among the 56 patients enrolled, 33 patients used prostaglandin (PG) analogues, and 23 patients used dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination (DTFC). After 3 months of DTFC usage, the TM width, TM thickness, and SC area did not show significant changes in either the nasal or temporal sectors. Conversely, after prostaglandin analog usage, the TM thickness significantly increased, and the SC area significantly decreased (all P

Kim et al. conducted single-cell RNA sequencing to determine the transcriptome profiles of human nail units using polydactyly specimens to demonstrate mesenchymal and epithelial cell populations, characterized by RSPO4 and SPINK6 respectively. RSPO4 + onychofibroblasts localized with LGR6 + nail matrix, leading to WNT/ β-catenin activation and suggesting a role for onychofibroblasts in onychomatricoma pathogenesis.

Abstract Prostaglandin (PG) analogues are usually prescribed as a first-line therapy in patients with glaucoma because of its once-daily dosing benefit and effective intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction. However, the mechanism of PG analogues is not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of PG analogues on the anterior scleral thickness (AST) in treatment-naïve eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. The AST was measured at the location of the scleral spur, 1000 μm, and 2000 μm posterior to the scleral spur and was compared before and after using the medications for 3 months and 1 year. Among 54 patients enrolled in this study, 31 patients used prostaglandin analogues and 23 patients used dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination (DTFC) drugs. There was no significant difference in untreated IOP, glaucoma severity, and baseline AST values between the two groups. While there was no significant changes in AST after using the DTFC drugs, the AST at all 3 locations showed a significant reduction in both the nasal and temporal sectors after using PG analogues for 1 year (all, P

The ranked discrepancy model (RDM) is a relatively novel needs assessment approach and is optimized for addressing ordinal and non-normally distributed data. This study aimed to explore the viability of the RDM by comparing the results obtained from it with those obtained using two other long-standing needs assessment models, and to prioritize the learning needs of secondary school career guidance teachers in South Korea using the RDM as an initial effort to improve the pre-service and in-service educational programs of teachers. Data were collected from 75 career guidance teachers by using a survey questionnaire. The results from the RDM, the weighted total index (WTI) approach, and the Borich model demonstrated a great deal of consistency in terms of the rankings of career guidance teachers’ learning needs. This implies that the RDM is a useful quantitative method for needs assessment in cases involving ordinal items, cross-sectional data, or non-normally distributed data. This study also revealed that “providing and utilizing occupational information” is the biggest shortfall among the job tasks required of secondary school career guidance teachers, compared to its importance. Uncertainty about the future might make it more difficult for career guidance teachers to provide students with the appropriate occupational guidance.

Abstract Background To investigate the association between physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QoL) among breast and colorectal cancer survivors in Korea. Methods A total of 224 cancer survivors (151 breast and 73 colorectal cancers) who completed treatments were recruited. We measured PA level with Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire and QoL with European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ C-30. Results Moderate to vigorous PA was significantly correlated with global QoL (r = .311, p

Abstract Backgroud To determine whether diffuse retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects, identified on red-free fundus photographs, could be identified on optical coherence tomography (OCT) en face structural images and to evaluate which factors are related to the different recognition patterns on en face images. Methods This retrospective, cross-sectional study included open-angle glaucoma eyes with diffuse RNFL defects in the inferior hemifield, identified in red-free photographs. The corresponding OCT en face structural images were divided into 3 groups: (1) no defect, (2) localized defect, and (3) diffuse defect. We compared the demographic and clinical ocular characteristics among the groups. Results A total of 209 eyes from 157 patients were included. The distribution of OCT en face images was: no defect, 25 eyes (11.96%); localized defect, 106 eyes (50.72%); diffuse defect, 78 eyes (37.32%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that eyes with greater mean deviation (P = 0.004) and thicker inferior RNFL (P = 0.008) would be included in the no defect and localized defect groups based on OCT en face images, rather than in the diffuse defect group. Conclusion Around half of diffuse RNFL defects identified in the red-free photographs appeared as localized defects in OCT en face images. Mild glaucomatous damage was related to no defect and localized defect groups, classified based on the OCT en face images, in eyes with diffuse photographic RNFL defects. OCT en face images may be helpful in further assessing diffuse RNFL defects seen in red-free photographs in eyes with open-angle glaucoma.

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most prevalent histological type of thyroid cancer (TC) worldwide. Although tumor metastasis occurs in regional lymph nodes, distant metastasis (DM) may also occur. Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy is an effective treatment for TC; however, resistance to RAI occurs in patients with DM. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the efficacy of DM-related biomarkers as therapeutic targets for PTC therapy. ABCA1 expression was higher in aggressive BCPAP cells than in other PTC cells in terms of migration and invasion capacity. The knockdown of ABCA1 substantially decreased the expression of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker, N-cadherin, and EMT regulator (ZEB1), resulting in suppressed migration and invasion of BCPAP cells. ABCA1 knockdown also reduced ERK activity and Fra-1 expression, which correlated with the effects of an ERK inhibitor or siRNA-mediated inhibition of ERK or Fra-1 expression. Furthermore, ABCA1-knocked-down BCPAP cells suppressed cell migration and invasion by reducing Fra-1 recruitment to Zeb1 promoter; lung metastasis was not observed in mice injected with ABCA1-knocked-down cells. Overall, our findings suggest that ABCA1 regulates lung metastasis in TC cells.

Objective: The purpose of this study is both to estimate the efficacy and the safety of Yukgunja-tang (YGJT) and to establish evidence for the use of herbal medicines in the management of patients with cancer-related anorexia. Methods: We enrolled 40 patients with cancer-related anorexia. The enrolled participants were randomly allocated to 2 groups: the control group (n = 20), which received nutrition counseling, and the treatment group (n = 20), which received nutrition counseling and was administered YGJT at twice a day for 4 weeks (a total of 56 times @ 3.0 g each time). The primary outcome of this study was the score on the anorexia/cachexia subscale (ACS) of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT). The secondary outcomes were the FAACT score with the ACS score excluded, the score on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for appetite, and the results on laboratory tests regarding appetite, such as leptin, tumor necrosis factors (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and ghrelin. All variables related to the safety assessment, such as vital signs, electrocardiography results, laboratory test results (complete blood cell count, chemistry, urine test), and adverse events, were documented on the case report form (CRF) at every visit. Result: The difference in the primary outcome, that is, the score on the anorexia/cachexia subscale (ACS) of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT), between the control and the treatment groups was statistically significant ( P = .023) as was the difference in the FAACT scores with the ACS score excluded, a secondary outcome, between the 2 groups; however, no statistically significant differences were noted in the scores on the VAS or the levels of leptin, TNF-α, IL-6, and ghrelin. In addition, no significant differences in the numbers and the types of adverse events or in the results on the laboratory tests between the control and the treatment groups were recorded. Conclusion: These results obtained in this research confirmed the efficacy and the safety of using YGJT as a herb-medicine treatment option for patients with cancer-related anorexia.

Background: This study examined the effect of a portable low-frequency electrostimulation (ES) device on patients diagnosed with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) immediately after chemotherapy for breast cancer. Methods: A single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 72 patients newly diagnosed with CIPN were enrolled and randomly placed into the ES (n = 36) or the sham ES group (SES; n = 36). Duloxetine or pregabalin was prescribed to all participants from the initial assessment. The devices for 14 days, at least twice a day, for at least 120 minutes. The primary outcomes were the overall intensities of the CIPN symptoms as assessed using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcomes included Total Neuropathy Score (TNS), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life (EORTC-QLQ), Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (CIPN20), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B), and Instrument on Pattern Identification and Evaluation for CIPN (IPIE-CIPN). Results: No differences in NRS scores were found between the patients in the ES and the SES group ( P = 0.267). Patients in both groups showed significantly reduced CIPN intensities (ES P < .001; SES P < .001). No significant differences between the groups were found in TNS, EORTC-QLQ, CIPN20, and FACT-B. The general symptoms of CIPN diagnosed as cold arthralgia showed significance only in the ES group ( P = .006). Conclusion: Compared with a placebo, the effectiveness of the low-frequency ES device with pharmacological intervention was not significantly different, but a therapeutic effect was possible.

Abstract Background Argyria is a rare irreversible cutaneous pigmentation disorder caused by prolonged exposure to silver. Herein, we report a case of generalized argyria that developed after chronic ingestion of soluble silver-nano particles and presented with muscle weakness. Case presentation A 74-year-old woman visited our emergency room, complaining of fever and mental deterioration. She was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis and recovered after antibiotic therapy. At presentation, diffuse slate gray-bluish pigmented patches were noticed on her face and nails. Two months prior to visiting our hospital, she was diagnosed with inflammatory myopathy and given steroid therapy at another hospital. We performed a nerve conduction study that revealed polyneuropathy. In skin biopsies from pigmented areas of the forehead and nose, the histopathologic results showed brown-black granules in basement membranes of sweat gland epithelia, which are diagnostic findings of argyria. We reviewed pathology slides obtained from the left thigh muscles and found markedly degenerated myofibers with disorganization of myofibrils without inflammatory reactions, consistent with unspecified myopathy, rather than inflammatory myopathy. The patient was diagnosed with generalized argyria with polyneuropathy and myopathy and transferred to a rehabilitation institution after being tapered off of steroids. Conclusions Clinicians should be aware of clinical manifestations of argyria and consider it in differential diagnosis when they examine patients who present with skin pigmentation and muscle weakness.

Using stock return synchronicity as a measure of a firm’s information environment, our research investigates how the firms’ stock return synchronicity affects analysts’ forecast properties for the accuracy and optimism of the analysts’ annual earnings forecasts. Stock return synchronicity represents the degree to which market and industry information explains firm-level stock return variations. A higher stock return synchronicity indicates the higher quality of a firm’s information environment, because a firm’s stock price reflects more market-level and industry-level information relative to firm-specific information. Our study shows that stock return synchronicity positively affects the forecast properties. Our finding shows that when stock return synchronicity is high, analysts’ annual earnings forecasts are more accurate and less optimistically biased.

The current treatment strategy for patients with aggressive colorectal cancer has been hampered by resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy due to the existence of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). Recent studies have shown that SOX2 expression plays an important role in the maintenance of CSC properties in colorectal cancer. In this study, we investigated the induction and regulatory role of SOX2 following the irradiation of radioresistant and radiosensitive colorectal cancer cells. We used FACS and western blotting to analyze SOX2 expression in cells. Among the markers of colorectal CSCs, the expression of CD44 increased upon irradiation in radioresistant cells. Further analysis revealed the retention of CSC properties with an upregulation of SOX2 as shown by enhanced resistance to radiation and metastatic potential in vitro. Interestingly, both the knockdown and overexpression of SOX2 led to increase in CD44+ population and induction of CSC properties in colorectal cancer following irradiation. Furthermore, selective genetic and pharmacological inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway, but not the MAPK pathway, attenuated SOX2-dependent CD44 expression and metastatic potential upon irradiation in vitro. Our findings suggested that SOX2 regulated by radiation-induced activation of PI3K/AKT pathway contributes to the induction of colorectal CSCs, thereby highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.

We examine the relation between earnings recognition practices and firms’ information environment. Using a sample of U.S. firms over the period 2000-2012, we investigate how earnings timeliness and smoothness affect firm information environment. To measure firms’ information environment, we adopt stock return synchronicity. The timeliness of earnings recognition measures the extent to which current earnings reflect value-relevant information into stock prices. As managers use earnings smoothing as a vehicle to reveal their private information, we expect earnings smoothing improves earnings informativeness and enables the market to incorporate more firm-specific information. Our study shows that as earnings timeliness increases, the market incorporates more firm-specific information into stock prices. In addition, as a firm's earnings become more volatile (less smooth), such a firm's stock return reflects more market-wide variation relative to firm-specific information.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure (IOP) in different recumbent body postures including supine and lateral decubitus (LD) positions. Materials and Methods: This prospective, observational study included patients who had no glaucoma and who had planned to undergo phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in one eye. Before and 1 month after cataract surgery, IOP was measured in both eyes using the Tono-Pen AVIA. We measured IOP in the sitting, supine, and LD (with the operated eye placed on the lower side) positions. IOP was measured 10 min after assuming each position in a randomized sequence. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the IOP changes before and 1 month after phacoemulsification in all postures. Results: Twenty-nine patients participated in this study. Postoperative IOP was lower than the preoperative IOP when measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry in the sitting position (13.8 ± 1.9 mmHg vs. 12.6 ± 2.1 mmHg, P = 0.007). The postoperative IOP was lower than the preoperative IOP for the supine and LD positions. The average IOP reduction of the operated eye was 0.6 mmHg, 1.7 mmHg, and 3.0 mmHg in the sitting, supine, and LD positions, respectively (sitting vs. supine, P = 0.048; sitting vs. LD, P = 0.001; supine vs. LD, P = 0.028). In the nonoperated eye, IOP did not change significantly after surgery (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: Cataract surgery lowered IOP in the sitting position as well as in the supine and LD positions. Such postoperative IOP reductions were greater in the recumbent positions than in the sitting position.

Radiation dermatitis (RD) is one of the most common side effects of radiotherapy; its symptoms progress from erythema to dry and moist desquamation, leading to the deterioration of the patients’ quality of life. Active metabolites in brown seaweed, including phlorotannins (PTNs), show anti-inflammatory activities; however, their medical use is limited. Here, we investigated the effects of PTNs in a mouse model of RD in vivo. X-rays (36 Gy) were delivered in three fractions to the hind legs of BALB/c mice. Macroscopic RD scoring revealed that PTNs significantly mitigated RD compared with the vehicle control. Histopathological analyses of skin tissues revealed that PTNs decreased epidermal and dermal thickness compared with the vehicle control. Western blotting indicated that PTNs augmented nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway activation but attenuated radiation-induced NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) and inflammasome activation, suggesting the mitigation of acute inflammation in irradiated mouse skin. PTNs also facilitated fast recovery, as indicated by increased aquaporin 3 expression and decreased γH2AX (histone family member X) expression. Our results indicate that topical PTN application may alleviate RD symptoms by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling and by promoting the healing process. Therefore, PTNs may show great potential as cosmeceuticals for patients with cancer suffering from radiation-induced inflammatory side effects such as RD.

Background: As a result of the focus on vital functions in patients with brain damage, dermatological symptoms are often overlooked during their period of admission to hospital. However, patients with brain damage are more likely to have dermatological diseases than the general population and other inpatients for various reasons, including immobilization, treatment with multiple drugs, long-term hospitalization, and their immunocompromised status. Objectives: The purposes of this study were: (1) to analyze the frequency and characteristics of dermatological consultations among patients who were admitted to hospital as a result of brain damage; and (2) to compare these findings with other reports about inpatient dermatological consultations. Methods: We analyzed data for 240 patients with brain damage who attended our department of dermatology between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011. The total numbers of male and female patients were 132 (55%) and 108 (45%), respectively (male to female ratio 1.22:1). We retrospectively reviewed medical records, demographic information, reason for dermatological consultation, and the diagnosis of the dermatoses. Results: The age group most frequently seen was patients in the 7th decade of life and the most common underlying brain injury was traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. The mean±standard deviation score on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 6.8±3.0. When the levels of brain damage of the patients were classified using the GCS, 68.3% of the patients were in the severe (GCS≤8) category. The most common skin disorders were seborrheic dermatitis (17.9%), followed by mycoses (15.5%), and drug-induced skin eruption (13.2%). Conclusion: The characteristics of dermatological consultations in patients with brain damage may be different from those of other inpatients attending dermatological clinics. The analysis of dermatological disorders in patients with brain damage can assist in understanding the “brain–skin connection”.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report a case series of advanced cancer patients whose cancer pain was relieved by using autonomic nerve pharmacopuncture (ANP) treatment. ANP is a subcutaneous injection therapy of mountain ginseng pharmacopuncture (MGP) along the acupoints on the spine (Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue; 0.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous processes of vertebrae) to enhance the immune system and to balance autonomic nerve function. Methods: Patients with three different types of cancer (gastric cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer with distant metastases) with cancer pain were treated with ANP. 1 mL of MGP was injected into the bilateral Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue on the T1-L5 sites (total 12 ─ 20 mL injection) of each patient’s dorsum by using the principle of symptom differentiation. During ANP treatment, the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain was used to assess their levels of cancer pain; also, the dosage and the frequency of analgesic use were measured. Results: The cancer pain levels of all three patients improved with treatment using ANP. The VAS scores of the three patients decreased as the treatment progressed. The dosage and the frequency of analgesics also gradually decreased during the treatment period. Significantly, no related adverse events were found. Conclusion: ANP has shown benefit in controlling cancer pain for the three different types of cancer investigated in this study and in reducing the dosage and the frequency of analgesics. ANP is expected to be beneficial for reducing cancer pain and, thus, to be a promising new treatment for cancer pain.

BackgroundLow levels of physical activity (PA) are strongly associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and chronic diseases. However, few studies have examined this association in Koreans. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the associations between PA and MetS risks in Korean adults.MethodsA total of 1,016 Korean adults (494 males and 522 females) participated in this study. PA levels were assessed using the International PA Questionnaire. MetS risk factors were determined using clinically established diagnostic criteria.ResultsCompared with the highest PA group, the group with the lowest level of PA was at greater risk of high triglyceride (TG) in males (odds ratio [OR], 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 to 3.24) and of hemoglobin A1c ≥5.5% in females (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.00 to 3.04) after adjusting for age and body mass index. Compared with subjects who met the PA guidelines, those who did not meet the guidelines were more likely to have low high density lipoprotein cholesterol in both males (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.11 to 2.58), and females (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.77). Furthermore, those who did not meet the PA guidelines were at increased risk of high TG levels in males (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.86) and abnormal fasting glucose (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.17 to 3.20) and MetS (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.15 to 3.84) in females.ConclusionIncreased levels of PA are significantly associated with a decreased risk of abnormal MetS components.

Korea has used three different teacher evaluation systems since the 1960s: teacher performance rating, teacher performance-based pay and teacher evaluation for professional development. A number of studies have focused on an analysis of each evaluation system in terms of its advent, development, advantages and disadvantages, but these studies have been critically limited in that they have focused only on the partial integration of the three current teacher evaluation systems, without addressing the problems embedded in each of them. The present study provides a systematic analysis of the three current Korean teacher evaluation systems based on a sound analytical framework and proposes appropriate directions for designing an effective and efficient system. It is found that the three systems share commonalities in terms of stakeholders, evaluators, scope, criteria and methods, further supporting the rationale for developing a single comprehensive teacher evaluation system in Korea. Finally, several steps to establish a comprehensive teacher evaluation system based on the analysis results are suggested.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the association between obesity, fitness levels and cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors, and to identify the correlation between of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) in Korean adolescents.MethodsA total of 225 high school males with a mean age of 16.96±0.23 years participated in this study, and their fatness and fitness levels, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), blood lipids, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and IMT were measured.ResultsThe results showed that total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, IGF-1, and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly higher in the most obese group than in the other two groups (tertiles). Muscular and cardiopulmonary fitness were negatively associated with weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, body fat, waist circumference (WC), fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and IMT. IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels were correlated with WC, hip circumference (HC), fasting glucose, TG, HDL-C, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR. IMT levels were significantly associated with weight, BMI, muscle mass, fat mass, percent body fat, WC, HC, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.ConclusionThere was a significant association between increased obesity and decreased fitness and HOMA-IR, IGF, and IMT among adolescents.

Calreticulin (CALR) mutations have recently been reported in 70-84% of JAK2V617F-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), and this detection has become necessary to improve the diagnosis of MPN. In a large single-centre cohort of 298 patients suffering from Essential Thrombocythemia (ET), the JAK2V617F, CALR and MPL mutations were noted in 179 (60%), 56 (18.5%) and 13 (4.5%) respectively. For the detection of the CALR mutations, three methods were compared in parallel: high-resolution melting-curve analysis (HRM), product-sizing analysis and Sanger sequencing. The sensitivity for the HRM, product-sizing analysis and Sanger sequencing was 96.4%, 98.2% and 89.3% respectively, whereas the specificity was 96.3%, 100% and 100%. In our cohort, the product-sizing analysis was the most sensitive method and was the easiest to interpret, while the HRM was sometimes difficult to interpret. In contrast, when large series of samples were tested, HRM provided results more quickly than did the other methods, which required more time. Finally, the sequencing method, which is the reference method, had the lowest sensitivity but can be used to describe the type of mutation precisely. Altogether, our results suggest that in routine laboratory practice, product-sizing analysis is globally similar to HRM for the detection of CALR mutations, and that both may be used as first-line screening tests. If the results are positive, Sanger sequencing can be used to confirm the mutation and to determine its type. Product-sizing analysis provides sensitive and specific results, moreover, with the quantitative measurement of CALR, which might be useful to monitor specific treatments.

IntroductionDespite the crucial role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in vascular regeneration, the specific interactions between EPCs and hematopoietic cells remain unclear.MethodsIn EPC colony forming assays, we first demonstrated that the formation of EPC colonies was drastically increased in the coculture of CD34+ and CD34- cells, and determined the optimal concentrations of CD34+ cells and CD34- cells for spindle-shaped EPC differentiation.ResultsFunctionally, the coculture of CD34+ and CD34- cells resulted in a significant enhancement of adhesion, tube formation, and migration capacity compared with culture of CD34+ cells alone. Furthermore, blood flow recovery and capillary formation were remarkably increased by the coculture of CD34+ and CD34- cells in a murine hind-limb ischemia model. To elucidate further the role of hematopoietic cells in EPC differentiation, we isolated different populations of hematopoietic cells. T lymphocytes (CD3+) markedly accelerated the early EPC status of CD34+ cells, while macrophages (CD11b+) or megakaryocytes (CD41+) specifically promoted large EPC colonies.ConclusionOur results suggest that specific populations of hematopoietic cells play a role in the EPC differentiation of CD34+ cells, a finding that may aid in the development of a novel cell therapy strategy to overcome the quantitative and qualitative limitations of EPC therapy.

To evaluate the impact of diabetes on outcomes in colorectal cancer patients and to examine whether this association varies by the location of tumor (colon vs. rectum).This study includes 4,131 stage I-III colorectal cancer patients, treated between 1995 and 2007 (12.5% diabetic, 53% colon, 47% rectal) in South Korea. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to determine the prognostic influence of DM on survival endpoints.Colorectal cancer patients with DM had significantly worse disease-free survival (DFS) [hazard ratio (HR) 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-1.37] compared with patients without DM. When considering colon and rectal cancer independently, DM was significantly associated with worse overall survival (OS) (HR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.11-1.92), DFS (HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.15-1.84) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 0.98-1.76) in colon cancer patients. No association for OS, DFS or RFS was observed in rectal cancer patients. There was significant interaction of location of tumor (colon vs. rectal cancer) with DM on OS (P = 0.009) and DFS (P = 0.007).This study suggests that DM negatively impacts survival outcomes of patients with colon cancer but not rectal cancer.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, caused by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. This study aimed to evaluate the combined efficacy of multi-polygenic risk scores and pooled cohort equations (PCE) for predicting future CVD risks in the Korean population. In this longitudinal study, 7,612 individuals from the Ansan and Ansung cohorts were analyzed over a 17-year follow-up period. The participants were genotyped using the Korea Biobank Array, and qualitycontrolled genetic data were subjected to imputation analysis. The weighted sum of the PRSs (wPRSsum) was calculated using PRS-CS with summary statistics from myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, coronary artery disease, and hypertension genome-wide association studies. The recalibrated PCE was used to assess clinical risk, and the participants were stratified into risk groups based on the wPRSsum and PCE. Associations between these risk scores and incident CVD were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier analysis. The wPRSsum approach showed a significant association with incident CVD (HR = 1.15, p = 7.49 × 10-5), and the top 20% high-risk genetic group had an HR of 1.50 (p = 5.04 × 10-4). The recalibrated PCE effectively differentiated between the low and high 10-year CVD risk groups, with a marked difference in survival rates. The predictive models constructed using the wPRSsum and PCE demonstrated a slight improvement in prediction accuracy, particularly among males aged <55 years (C-index = 0.640). We demonstrated that while the integration of wPRSsum with PCE did not significantly outperform the PCE-only model (C-index: 0.703 for combined and 0.704 for PCE-only), it provided enhanced stratification of CVD risk. The highest risk group, identified through the combination of high wPRSsum and PCE scores, exhibited an HR of 4.99 for incident CVD (p = 1.45 × 10-15). These findings highlight the potential of integrating genetic risk assessments with traditional clinical tools for effective CVD risk stratification. Although the addition of wPRSsum to the PCE provided a marginal predictive improvement, it proved valuable in identifying high-risk individuals and supporting personalized treatment strategies. This study reinforces the utility of multi-PRS in conjunction with clinical risk assessment tools, paving the way for more tailored approaches for CVD prevention and management in diverse populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]