MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small RNAs of 19-23 nucleotides that regulate gene expression through target mRNA degradation or translational gene silencing. The miRNAs are reported to be involved in many biological processes, and the discovery of miRNAs has been provided great impacts on computational biology as well as traditional biology. Most miRNA-associated computational methods comprise the prediction of miRNA genes and their targets, and increasing numbers of computational algorithms and web-based resources are being developed to fulfill the need of scientists performing miRNA research. Here we summarize the rules to predict miRNA targets and introduce some computational algorithms that have been developed for miRNA target prediction and the application of the methods. In addition, the issue of target gene validation in an experimental way will be discussed.

In recognition of Korea's rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), we investigated the nation's NCD status and extracted detailed information from the 2012 Korean Burden of Disease study. Consistent with that study, we used disability-adjusted life year (DALY) as a metric. Using national data sources and disability weights specific to the Korean population, we analyzed 116 disaggregated NCDs from the study's four-level disease and injury hierarchy for both sexes and nine age groups. Per 100,000 population, 21,019 DALYs were lost to 116 NCDs. Of those, 13.97% were due to premature death (death prior to the standard life expectancy for a subject's age) and 86.03% to non-fatal health outcomes. Based on traditional statistics, the main causes of health loss were mortality of neoplasms; cardiovascular and circulatory diseases; diabetes, urogenital, blood, and endocrine diseases; and chronic respiratory diseases. When combined with analyses of premature death and non-fatal outcomes, however, a substantially different view emerged: the main causes of health loss were diabetes mellitus, low back pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke, cirrhosis of the liver, osteoarthritis, asthma, gastritis and duodenitis, and periodontal disease (in that order), collectively causing 49.20% of DALYs. Thus, burden of disease data using DALYs rather than traditional statistics brings a new perspective to characterization of the population's health that provides practical information useful for developing and targeting national NCD control programs to better meet national needs.
Asthma ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Duodenitis ; Endocrine System Diseases ; Fibrosis ; Gastritis ; Humans ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Korea* ; Life Expectancy ; Liver ; Low Back Pain ; Mortality ; Mortality, Premature ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Osteoarthritis ; Periodontal Diseases ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Stroke ; Weights and Measures

With the increasing use of plastics worldwide, the amount of plastic waste being discarded has also risen. This plastic waste undergoes physical and chemical processes, breaking down into smaller particles known as microplastics (MPs) or nanoplastics (NPs). Advances in technology have enhanced our ability to detect these smaller particles, and it has been confirmed that plastics can be found in marine organisms as well as within the human body. However, research on the effects of MPs or NPs on living organisms has only recently been started, and our understanding remains limited. Studies on the immunological impacts are still ongoing, revealing that MPs and NPs can differentially affect various immune cells based on the material, size, and shape of the plastic particles. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects of MPs and NPs on the immune system. We will also explore the methods for plastic removal through physicochemical, microbial, or biological means.

With the increasing use of plastics worldwide, the amount of plastic waste being discarded has also risen. This plastic waste undergoes physical and chemical processes, breaking down into smaller particles known as microplastics (MPs) or nanoplastics (NPs). Advances in technology have enhanced our ability to detect these smaller particles, and it has been confirmed that plastics can be found in marine organisms as well as within the human body. However, research on the effects of MPs or NPs on living organisms has only recently been started, and our understanding remains limited. Studies on the immunological impacts are still ongoing, revealing that MPs and NPs can differentially affect various immune cells based on the material, size, and shape of the plastic particles. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects of MPs and NPs on the immune system. We will also explore the methods for plastic removal through physicochemical, microbial, or biological means.

With the increasing use of plastics worldwide, the amount of plastic waste being discarded has also risen. This plastic waste undergoes physical and chemical processes, breaking down into smaller particles known as microplastics (MPs) or nanoplastics (NPs). Advances in technology have enhanced our ability to detect these smaller particles, and it has been confirmed that plastics can be found in marine organisms as well as within the human body. However, research on the effects of MPs or NPs on living organisms has only recently been started, and our understanding remains limited. Studies on the immunological impacts are still ongoing, revealing that MPs and NPs can differentially affect various immune cells based on the material, size, and shape of the plastic particles. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects of MPs and NPs on the immune system. We will also explore the methods for plastic removal through physicochemical, microbial, or biological means.

We found a mistake in our recently published article.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to identify association between the continuity of ambulatory care of diabetes patients in South Korea (hereafter Korea) and the incidence of macrovascular complications of diabetes, using claims data compiled by the National Health Insurance Services of Korea. METHODS: This study was conducted retrospectively. The subjects of the study were 43 002 patients diagnosed with diabetes in 2007, who were over 30 years of age, and had insurance claim data from 2008. The macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus were limited to ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke. We compared the characteristics of the patients in whom macrovascular complications occurred from 2009 to 2012 to the characteristics of the patients who had no such complications. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the effects of continuity of ambulatory care on diabetic macrovascular complications. The continuity of ambulatory diabetes care was estimated by metrics such as the medication possession ratio, the quarterly continuity of care and the number of clinics that were visited. RESULTS: Patients with macrovascular complications showed statistically significant differences regarding sex, age, comorbidities, hypertension, dyslipidemia and continuity of ambulatory diabetes care. Visiting a lower number of clinics reduced the odds ratio for macrovascular complications of diabetes. A medication possession ratio below 80% was associated with an increased odds ratio for macrovascular complications, but this result was of borderline statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes care by regular health care providers was found to be associated with a lower occurrence of diabetic macrovascular complications. This result has policy implications for the Korean health care system, in which the delivery system does not work properly.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Ambulatory Care ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus/*diagnosis ; Dyslipidemias/complications ; Female ; Heart Diseases/*epidemiology/etiology ; Humans ; Hypertension/complications ; Incidence ; Insurance Claim Reporting ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke/*epidemiology/etiology

The global burden of disease study (GBD) provides valuable information for evaluating population health in terms of disease burden. This study collected and reviewed GBD data in Korea for the year 1990 and 2013. The burdens of cancer, cardiovascular disease, communicable disease, and injuries have decreased remarkably, thereby greatly diminishing the overall disease burden on Korea. Meanwhile, the burdens due to non-fatal chronic diseases such as neuropsychiatric and musculoskeletal disease became major burden contributors. Responding to this circumstance presents a complex challenge to the Korean health system and Korean health policy.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Chronic Disease ; Communicable Diseases ; Health Policy ; Korea* ; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Purpose: To evaluate the ultrasonographic characteristics of steatocystomas focusing on the features that aid in differentiating them from epidermal inclusion cysts and lipomas. Materials and Methods: The ultrasonographic findings of 14 histologically proven steatocystomas in 10 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The following features were assessed: the layer of involvement, shape, margin, echogenicity, posterior acoustic features, and the presence of a visible wall or intralesional striations. The findings were compared with those of subcutaneous lipomas and epidermal inclusion cysts to identify those findings that aid in the differential diagnosis of steatocystomas. Results: The majority of steatocystomas appeared as a subcutaneous mass (n = 6, 42.9%) or a mass involving both the dermal and subcutaneous layers (n = 6, 42.9%). Steatocystomas exhibited a well-defined smooth margin (n = 12, 85.7%) and homogeneous echogenicity (n = 9, 64.3%), and showed no specific posterior acoustic features (n = 9, 64.3%). The most important features that differentiated steatocystomas from epidermal inclusion cysts were a homogeneous internal echotexture (p = 0.009) and absent or less prominent posterior acoustic enhancement (p < 0.001). The features that distinguished steatocystomas from lipomas were the margin (p < 0.001), echogenicity (p = 0.034), internal echotexture (p = 0.004), and the absence of intralesional striations (p < 0.001). Conclusion Steatocystomas appeared as well-defined homogeneous masses with mild or absent posterior acoustic enhancement.

Purpose: To evaluate the ultrasonographic characteristics of steatocystomas focusing on the features that aid in differentiating them from epidermal inclusion cysts and lipomas. Materials and Methods: The ultrasonographic findings of 14 histologically proven steatocystomas in 10 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The following features were assessed: the layer of involvement, shape, margin, echogenicity, posterior acoustic features, and the presence of a visible wall or intralesional striations. The findings were compared with those of subcutaneous lipomas and epidermal inclusion cysts to identify those findings that aid in the differential diagnosis of steatocystomas. Results: The majority of steatocystomas appeared as a subcutaneous mass (n = 6, 42.9%) or a mass involving both the dermal and subcutaneous layers (n = 6, 42.9%). Steatocystomas exhibited a well-defined smooth margin (n = 12, 85.7%) and homogeneous echogenicity (n = 9, 64.3%), and showed no specific posterior acoustic features (n = 9, 64.3%). The most important features that differentiated steatocystomas from epidermal inclusion cysts were a homogeneous internal echotexture (p = 0.009) and absent or less prominent posterior acoustic enhancement (p < 0.001). The features that distinguished steatocystomas from lipomas were the margin (p < 0.001), echogenicity (p = 0.034), internal echotexture (p = 0.004), and the absence of intralesional striations (p < 0.001). Conclusion Steatocystomas appeared as well-defined homogeneous masses with mild or absent posterior acoustic enhancement.