To evaluate long-term survival and clinical outcomes of patients with knee osteo-arthritis undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) through long-term follow-up.

Objective To describe the significance of the pretreatment inflammatory indicators in predicting the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after undergoing radical radiotherapy. Methods The data of 246 ESCC patients who underwent radical radiotherapy were retrospectively collected. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to determine the optimal cutoff values for platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII). The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. We conducted univariate and multivariate analyses by using the Cox proportional risk regression model. Software R (version 4.2.0) was used to create the nomogram of prognostic factors. Results The results of the ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cutoff values of PLR, NLR, and SII were 146.06, 2.67, and 493.97, respectively. The overall response rates were 77.6% and 64.5% in the low and high NLR groups, respectively (P<0.05). The results of the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the prognosis of patients in the low PLR, NLR, and SII group was better than that of patients in the high PLR, NLR, and SII group (all P<0.05). The results of the multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that gender, treatment modalities, T stage, and NLR were independent factors affecting the overall survival (OS). In addition, T stage and NLR were independent factors affecting the progression-free survival (PFS) (all P<0.05). The nomogram models of OS and PFS prediction were established based on multivariate analysis. The C-index values were 0.703 and 0.668. The calibration curves showed excellent consistency between the predicted and observed OS and PFS. Conclusion The pretreatment values of PLR, NLR, and SII are correlated with the prognosis of patients with ESCC who underwent radical radiotherapy. Moreover, NLR is an independent factor affecting the OS and PFS of ESCC patients. The NLR-based nomogram model has a good predictive ability.

Abstract In order to explore the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from a new perspective, it is found through literature review that vitamin D(Vit D) may play a significant role in the onset and development of ASD by inhibiting early brain overgrowth, regulating metabolism of central nervous system, modulating immune responses, reducing inflammation and influencing genome stability. Furthermore, Vit D supplementation in individuals with ASD has shown to alleviate symptoms. However, the mechanisms by which Vit D affects ASD remains unclear, and the effectiveness of Vit D treatment in improving ASD symptoms remains controversial due to variations in sample sizes, detection methods, dosage and confounding factors. Future research needs to focus on multi center, large scale randomized controlled trials and ASD animal models with Vit D deficiency to further explore the specific role of Vit D in the pathogenesis and treatment of ASD, which could provide reliable evidence for the early detection, intervention and treatment of ASD.

With the widespread use of antibiotics, drug-resistant bacterial infections have become a significant threat to human health. Finding new antibacterial strategies that can effectively control drug-resistant bacterial infections has become an urgent task. Unlike small molecule drugs that target bacterial proteins, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) can target genes related to bacterial resistance, pathogenesis, growth, reproduction and biofilm formation. By regulating the expression of these genes, ASO can inhibit or kill bacteria, providing a novel approach for the development of antibacterial drugs. To overcome the challenge of delivering antisense oligonucleotide into bacterial cells, various drug delivery systems have been applied in this field, including cell-penetrating peptides, lipid nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles, which have injected new momentum into the development of antisense oligonucleotide in the antibacterial realm. This review summarizes the current development of small nucleic acid drugs, the antibacterial mechanisms, targets, sequences and delivery vectors of antisense oligonucleotide, providing a reference for the research and development of antisense oligonucleotide in the treatment of bacterial infections.

The auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) gene family is an important regulator for plant growth hormone signaling, involved in plant growth, development, as well as response to environmental stresses. In the present study, we identified SmIAA7 which is potentially associated with Salvia miltiorrhiza leaf development through comparatively analyzed the transcriptome data from different pinnate leaves. SmIAA7 was successfully isolated from S. miltiorrhiza using the specific primers. Then subsequent bioinformatic analysis, prokaryotic expression and purification, subcellular localization, and induction expression analysis under auxin and abiotic stress were performed. The full-length of SmIAA7 contained an ORF of 684 bp encoding a protein of 227 amino acid with a molecular weight of 25.3 kD. Conserved domain analysis showed that SmIAA7 contains the conserved Aux_IAA domain (pfam02309). Sequence analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis results indicated SmIAA7 was phylogenetically close to IAA7 and IAA14 from other plants, suggesting SmIAA7 involved in plant growth and development as well as response to environmental stresses. The prokaryotic expression vector pET28a-SmIAA7 was constructed and SmIAA7 recombinant protein was successfully expressed in E. coli Rosetta (DE3) strain. Subcellular localization experiment demonstrated that SmIAA7 localized in the nucleus of plant cells. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that the expression level of SmIAA7 was upregulated in response to auxin. Drought, low temperature, and salt stress significantly increased the transcript level of SmIAA7 gene. This study lays a foundation for further elucidating the role of SmIAA7 in leaf development, signal transduction, and stress defense in S. miltiorrhiza.

Purpose: As nursing continues to advance through digital health, clinical specialization, and interdisciplinary research, early-career nurse scientists are central to advancing innovation. However, Korea lacks a structured platform to support their research, collaboration, and career development. This review aimed to identify the needs of early-career nurse scientists and examine international best practices to guide the creation of an effective communication platform. Methods: This study involved a secondary analysis of the final report from the project “Establishment of a communication platform for young nursing scientists,” carried out by the Korean Society of Nursing Science. The report comprises data from focus group interviews with domestic graduate students and early-career researchers, a literature review of international communication and support systems, and a global policy analysis related to young nursing scientists. Based on this report, the present review synthesizes key findings and draws implications for the development of a communication platform in Korea. Results: International examples, such as grant writing programs, mentoring initiatives, and digital collaboration hubs, showed positive outcomes in strengthening research capacity and promoting the professional growth of nurse scientists. Based on these findings, key considerations for platform development include: (1) establishing clear leadership and a participatory governance model; (2) providing demand-driven content such as research guides, mentoring, and mental health resources; (3) implementing mechanisms to ensure sustainability, content quality, and user data protection; and (4) designing an integrated platform that fosters synergy across research, policy development, education, and global networking. Conclusion A digital platform for early-career nurse scientists should function not merely as an information portal, but also as dynamic infrastructure for collaboration, mentorship, and growth. It is recommended that the Korean Society of Nursing Science spearhead this initiative, with governmental support, to enhance the research capacity and expand the global engagement of Korean nursing scientists.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the association between triglyceride-glucose (TyG)–related parameters and the incidence of diabetes mellitus in Korean adults. Data were obtained from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). Methods: This secondary analysis examined data from 6,816 adults aged 40–69 years who participated in the KoGES from 2001 to 2020. TyG–related parameters, including the TyG index, TyG–body mass index (TyG–BMI), TyG–waist circumference (TyG–WC), and TyG–waist-to-height ratio (TyG–WHtR), were assessed. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to determine the association between these parameters and the incidence of diabetes mellitus, with adjustments made for demographic, lifestyle, and health-related characteristics. Results: Higher levels of all TyG–related parameters were significantly associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Specifically, participants in the highest quartile of the TyG index, TyG–BMI, TyG–WC, and TyG–WHtR exhibited significantly higher hazard ratios for diabetes mellitus incidence compared with those in the lowest quartile (p<.001 for all). Notably, the TyG index demonstrated a stronger predictive value for diabetes mellitus than traditional measures such as the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance. Conclusion TyG–related parameters are robust predictors of diabetes mellitus incidence in Korean adults. These findings support the incorporation of TyG–related measures into clinical settings for the early identification and intervention of high-risk populations. Utilizing these parameters for early diagnosis and preventive strategies may significantly enhance diabetes mellitus management.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable tool to measure awareness of well-dying among middle-aged adults. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was adopted, consisting of a qualitative phase to identify the characteristics of well-dying and a quantitative phase to validate the instrument with middle-aged participants. Initially, 76 items were generated through a literature review and in-depth interviews, and these were reduced to 35 items through expert validation. A pilot survey was conducted with 112 individuals aged 40–65, selected via quota sampling from 17 administrative regions in South Korea. Based on the pilot survey results, the instrument was refined to 32 items for the main survey. The main survey included 314 participants recruited through quota sampling in Busan and Ulsan Metropolitan Cities and Gyeongsang Region. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and reliability testing were performed to validate the instrument. Results: The final scale comprised 23 items across six factors. EFA demonstrated an explanatory power of 69.1%, with factor loadings ranging from 0.53 to 0.88. CFA confirmed the instrument’s validity, and reliability was established with a Cronbach’s α of .93. Conclusion This instrument is a validated and reliable tool for measuring middle-aged individuals’ awareness of well-dying. It can serve as an effective resource for evaluating and assessing well-dying awareness in the middle-aged population.

Purpose: The study aimed to provide essential baseline data for developing measures to enhance the mental well-being of shift-working nurses. Methods: The data were collected from September 11 to 30, 2024, among 151 shift-working nurses at hospitals nationwide. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Scheffé tests, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis with IBM SPSS Statistics version 30.0. Results: A statistically significant correlation was identified between the primary variables of interest: quality of sleep, health-promoting behaviors, and mental well-being. The findings indicated that poor sleep quality (β=-.32, p<.001) and health-promoting behaviors (β=.55, p<.001) were significant factors affecting the mental well-being of shift-working nurses. The explanatory power of these variables was 56.0%. Conclusion This study findings confirmed that the quality of sleep and health-promoting behaviors are related to the mental well-being of shift-working nurses and simultaneously influence it. In other words, to promote the mental health of shift-working nurses, it is essential for nurse managers to focus on managing sleep quality and for an organizational culture that encourages health-promoting activities to be established.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an intervention combining warm therapy (via a thermoelectric-element tourniquet) and a distraction-based approach (via an augmented reality-based app known as TWINKLE) on pain, stress, and satisfaction during intravenous catheterization in adults. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in South Korea with 93 healthy adults who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the experimental group (TWINKLE app with warm therapy), the comparison group (warm therapy only), and the control group (no treatment). Participants’ pain, stress, and satisfaction, as well as practitioner satisfaction, were measured after the intervention. Results: Pain scores differed significantly among the three groups (F = 5.68, p = .005), with the experimental group showing significantly lower scores than the control group (p = .003). Stress levels were also significantly lower in the experimental group than in the other groups (F = 9.42, p < .001). Participant satisfaction was highest in the experimental group (F = 17.65, p < .001), while nurse satisfaction was significantly higher in the comparison group than in the experimental and control groups (F = 67.91, p < .001), suggesting that the additional distraction intervention may have increased nurses’ workload. Conclusion Combining digital distraction with warm therapy using a thermoelectric-element tourniquet effectively reduces pain and stress while improving patient satisfaction during intravenous catheterization. Further research is needed to optimize this approach, with a particular focus on targeting digital distraction interventions to patients with higher levels of procedural anxiety and finding ways to minimize practitioner workload.