OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to validate a method that uses multiple queries to create a set of relevance judgments used to indicate which documents are pertinent to each query when forming a biomedical test collection. METHODS: The aspect query is the major concept of this research; it can represent every aspect of the original query with the same informational need. Manually generated aspect queries created by 15 recruited participants where run using the BM25 retrieval model in order to create aspect query based relevance sets (QRELS). In order to demonstrate the feasibility of these QRELSs, The results from a 2004 genomics track run supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) were used to compute the mean average precision (MAP) based on Text Retrieval Conference (TREC) QRELSs and aspect-QRELSs. The rank correlation was calculated using both Kendall's and Spearman's rank correlation methods. RESULTS: We experimentally verified the utility of the aspect query method by combining the top ranked documents retrieved by a number of multiple queries which ranked the order of the information. The retrieval system correlated highly with rankings based on human relevance judgments. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial results were shown with high correlations of up to 0.863 (p < 0.01) between the judgment-free gold standard based on the aspect queries and the human-judged gold standard supported by NIST. The results also demonstrate that the aspect query method can contribute in building test collections used for medical literature retrieval.
Genomics ; Humans ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Judgment ; Statistics as Topic ; Track and Field

Self-renewal and differentiation are hallmarks of stem cells and controlled by various intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Increasing evidence indicates that estrogen (E2), the primary female sex hormone, is involved in regulating the proliferation and lineage commitment of adult and pluripotent stem cells as well as modulating the stem cell niche. Thus, a detailed understanding of the role of E2 in behavior of stem cells may help to improve their therapeutic potential. Recently, it has been reported that E2 promotes cell cycle activity of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and induces them to megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors during pregnancy. This study paves the way towards a previously unexplored endocrine mechanism that controls stem cell behavior. In this review, we will focus on the scientific findings regarding the regulatory effects of E2 on the hematopoietic system including its microenvironment.
Adult ; Cell Cycle ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Hematopoiesis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells* ; Hematopoietic System ; Humans ; Megakaryocyte-Erythroid Progenitor Cells ; Pluripotent Stem Cells ; Pregnancy ; Stem Cell Niche ; Stem Cells

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immune-histochemical characteristics of upgraded malignancy from high-risk and borderline breast lesions, and to correlate the upgrade rates with clinical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We scrutinized image-guided biopsy records retrospectively, and included all women afflicted with high-risk and borderline breast lesions during the period, 2011 to 2015, inclusive. A total of 340 high-risk and borderline lesions were identified by the pathologist in biopsy samples and thereafter, surgical excision and/or image follow-up for at least 24 months was performed. We compared the clinical emanating from both high-risk and borderline lesions, and with and without cancer upgrade. In the instances of lesions with cancer upgrade, histologic and immuohistochemical reviews were performed. RESULTS: Of the 340 high-risk or borderline lesions, 18.8% (64/340) were upgraded. The upgrade rates were higher in patients of more advanced age, larger body habitus and afflicted with atypical ductal hyperplasia rather than with other pathology (p < 0.05). In the lesions with cancer upgrade (n = 64), there was no lymph node metastasis. The estrogen receptor-positive (93.8%), progesterone receptor-positive (87.5%), human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2-negative (90.6%), Ki-67-negative (82.8%), and Luminal A (76.6%) types were seen more frequently. CONCLUSION Most upgraded malignancies arising from high-risk and borderline breast lesions were found to be Luminal A-type with good prognostic factors, and the upgrade rates correlated with clinical characteristics.

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are a useful source of cells for exploring the role of genes related with early developmental processes and specific diseases due to their ability to differentiate into all somatic cell types. Recently, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein 9 system has proven to be a robust tool for targeted genetic modification. Here, we generated miR-451-deficient PSCs using the CRISPR/Cas9 system with PCR-based homologous recombination donor and investigated the impact of its deletion on self-renewal and hematopoietic development. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated miR-451 knockout did not alter the gene expressions of pluripotency, cellular morphology, and cell cycle, but led to impaired erythrocyte development. These findings propose that a combination of PSCs and CRISPR/Cas9 system could be useful to promote biomedical applications of PSCs by elucidating the function and manipulating of specific miRNAs during lineage specification and commitment.
Animals ; Cell Cycle ; Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats* ; Erythrocytes ; Gene Expression ; Hematopoiesis ; Homologous Recombination ; Humans ; Mice* ; MicroRNAs ; Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells* ; Pluripotent Stem Cells ; Tissue Donors

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the short-term effects of a lifestyle modification intervention based on a mobile application (app) linked to a hospital electronic medical record (EMR) system on weight reduction and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: We prospectively enrolled adults (aged >20 years) with witnessed snoring or sleep apnea from a sleep clinic. The patients were randomized into the app user (n=24) and control (n=23) groups. The mobile app was designed to collect daily lifestyle data by wearing a wrist activity tracker and reporting dietary intake. A summary of the lifestyle data was displayed on the hospital EMR and was reviewed. In the control group, the lifestyle modification was performed as per usual practice. All participants underwent peripheral arterial tonometry (WatchPAT) and body mass index (BMI) measurements at baseline and after 4 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: Age and BMI did not differ significantly between the two groups. While we observed a significant decrease in the BMI of both groups, the decrease was greater in the app user group (P < 0.001). Apnea-hypopnea index, respiratory distress index, and oxygenation distress index did not change significantly in both groups. However, the proportion of sleep spent snoring at >45 dB was significantly improved in the app user group alone (P =0.014). In either group, among the participants with successful weight reduction, the apnea-hypopnea index was significantly reduced after 4 weeks (P =0.015). Multiple regression analyses showed that a reduction in the apnea-hypopnea index was significantly associated with BMI. CONCLUSION: Although a short-term lifestyle modification approach using a mobile app was more effective in achieving weight reduction, improvement in OSA was not so significant. Long-term efficacy of this mobile app should be evaluated in the future studies.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Electronic Health Records ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Life Style* ; Manometry ; Mobile Applications ; Obesity* ; Oxygen ; Prospective Studies ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* ; Smartphone* ; Snoring ; Weight Loss ; Wrist

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of probable sarcopenia according to 3 different definitions (“strength, assistance with walking, rise from a chair, climb stairs, falls”- SARC-F score, low grip strength, and the guidelines indicated by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 - EWGSOP2) and assess the association of probable sarcopenia with functional disability and falls among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 419 older adults. Probable sarcopenia was assessed by 3 definitions: a SARC-F 4, low grip strength (< 27 kg for men and < 16 kg for women), and the EWGSOP2 criteria. Associations were investigated using Pearson's chi-square test and prevalence ratios were estimated by Poisson regression (P < 0.05). Results: Of the total, probable sarcopenia was identified in 23.0% of participants (SARC-F 4 score), 33.7% (low grip strength), and 10.4% (EWGSOP2) according to each different definition. In adjusted regression models, having at least 1 instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability and having fallen in the last 12 months were significantly associated with a SARC-F 4 (prevalence ratio, PR ¼ 1.60; and PR ¼ 2.50, respectively) and EWGSOP2 (PR ¼ 1.78; and PR ¼ 2.19, respectively). Conclusions IADL disability and falls were associated with a SARC-F 4 and the EWGSOP2 criteria (SARC-F 4 and low grip strength). Probable sarcopenia may be used in clinical practice in order to facilitate the diagnosis of definite sarcopenia and to implement early interventions that could prevent functional decline and falls in older people.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of probable sarcopenia according to 3 different definitions (“strength, assistance with walking, rise from a chair, climb stairs, falls”- SARC-F score, low grip strength, and the guidelines indicated by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 - EWGSOP2) and assess the association of probable sarcopenia with functional disability and falls among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 419 older adults. Probable sarcopenia was assessed by 3 definitions: a SARC-F 4, low grip strength (< 27 kg for men and < 16 kg for women), and the EWGSOP2 criteria. Associations were investigated using Pearson's chi-square test and prevalence ratios were estimated by Poisson regression (P < 0.05). Results: Of the total, probable sarcopenia was identified in 23.0% of participants (SARC-F 4 score), 33.7% (low grip strength), and 10.4% (EWGSOP2) according to each different definition. In adjusted regression models, having at least 1 instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability and having fallen in the last 12 months were significantly associated with a SARC-F 4 (prevalence ratio, PR ¼ 1.60; and PR ¼ 2.50, respectively) and EWGSOP2 (PR ¼ 1.78; and PR ¼ 2.19, respectively). Conclusions IADL disability and falls were associated with a SARC-F 4 and the EWGSOP2 criteria (SARC-F 4 and low grip strength). Probable sarcopenia may be used in clinical practice in order to facilitate the diagnosis of definite sarcopenia and to implement early interventions that could prevent functional decline and falls in older people.

Objectives: In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where an ecosystem is being developed to enhance the quality of healthcare services by applying information and communication technologies, systematic and sustainable data management is essential for medical institutions. In this study, we assessed the data management status and emerging concerns of three medical institutions, while also examining future directions for seamless data management. Methods: To evaluate the data management status, we examined data types, capacities, infrastructure, backup methods, and related organizations. We also discussed challenges, such as resource and infrastructure issues, problems related to government regulations, and considerations for future data management. Results: Hospitals are grappling with the increasing data storage space and a shortage of management personnel due to costs and project termination, which necessitates countermeasures and support. Data management regulations on the destruction or maintenance of medical records are needed, and institutional consideration for secondary utilization such as long-term treatment or research is required. Government-level guidelines for facilitating hospital data sharing and mobile patient services should be developed. Additionally, hospital executives at the organizational level need to make efforts to facilitate the clinical validation of artificial intelligence software. Conclusions This analysis of the current status and emerging issues of data management reveals potential solutions and sets the stage for future organizational and policy directions. If medical big data is systematically managed, accumulated over time, and strategically monetized, it has the potential to create new value.

This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related clinical outcomes between patients with and without gout. Electronic health recordbased data from two centers (Seoul National University Hospital [SNUH] and Boramae Medical Center [BMC]), from January 2021 to April 2022, were mapped to a common data model. Patients with and without gout were matched using a large-scale propensityscore algorithm based on population-level estimation methods. At the SNUH, the risk for COVID-19 diagnosis was not significantly different between patients with and without gout (hazard ratio [HR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59–1.84). Within 30 days after COVID-19 diagnosis, no significant difference was observed in terms of hospitalization (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.03–3.90), severe outcomes (HR, 2.90; 95% CI, 0.54–13.71), or mortality (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.06–16.24). Similar results were obtained from the BMC database, suggesting that gout does not increase the risk for COVID-19 diagnosis or severe outcomes.

Understanding the crosstalk mechanisms between perivascular cells (PVCs) and cancer cells might be beneficial in preventing cancer development and metastasis. In this study, we investigated the paracrine influence of PVCs derived from human umbilical cords on the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (A549) and erythroleukemia cells (TF-1α and K562) in vitro using Transwell® co-culture systems. PVCs promoted the proliferation of A549 cells without inducing morphological changes, but had no effect on the proliferation of TF-1α and K562 cells. To identify the factors secreted from PVCs, conditioned media harvested from PVC cultures were analyzed by antibody arrays. We identified a set of cytokines, including persephin (PSPN), a neurotrophic factor, and a key regulator of oral squamous cell carcinoma progression. Supplementation with PSPN significantly increased the proliferation of A549 cells. These results suggested that PVCs produced a differential effect on the proliferation of cancer cells in a cell-type dependent manner. Further, secretome analyses of PVCs and the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms could facilitate the discovery of therapeutic target(s) for lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Coculture Techniques ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Cytokines ; Epithelial Cells* ; Humans* ; In Vitro Techniques ; K562 Cells ; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Umbilical Cord