5.Bulk Modification with Inorganic Particles and Immobilization of Extracellular Vesicles onto PDO Composite for Facial Rejuvenation
Seung-Woon BAEK ; Dong Min KIM ; Semi LEE ; Duck Hyun SONG ; Gi-Min PARK ; Chun Gwon PARK ; Dong Keun HAN
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2024;21(2):199-208
BACKGROUND:
The skin, a vital organ protecting against microorganisms and dehydration, undergoes structural decline with aging, leading to visible issues such as wrinkles and sagging. Reduced blood vessels exacerbate vulnerability, hindering optimal cellular function and compromising skin health. Polydioxanone (PDO) biomaterials address aging concerns but produce acidic byproducts, causing inflammation. Inorganic particles and nitric oxide (NO) play crucial roles in inhibiting inflammation and promoting skin regeneration. Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) contribute to intercellular communication, offering the potential to enhance cell functions. The study proposes a method to enhance PDO-based medical devices by incorporating inorganic particles and immobilizing EVs, focusing on facial rejuvenation, anti-inflammatory response, collagen formation, and angiogenesis.METHOD: PDO composites with inorganic particles such as magnesium hydroxide (MH) and zinc oxide (ZO) were prepared and followed by EV immobilization. Comprehensive characterization included biocompatibility, anti-inflammation, collagen formation ability, and angiogenesis ability.
RESULTS:
Bulk-modified PDO composites demonstrated even dispersion of inorganic particles, pH neutralization, and enhanced biocompatibility. EVs immobilized on the composite surface exhibited spherical morphology. Inflammationrelated gene expressions decreased, emphasizing anti-inflammatory effects. Collagen-related gene and protein expressions increased, showcasing collagen formation ability. In addition, angiogenic capabilities were notably improved, indicating potential for skin rejuvenation.
CONCLUSION
The study successfully developed and characterized PDO composites with inorganic particles and EVs, demonstrating promising attributes for medical applications. These composites exhibit biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory properties, collagen formation ability, and angiogenic potential, suggesting their utility in skin rejuvenation and tissue engineering. Further research and clinical validation are essential.
6.Is ChatGPT a “Fire of Prometheus” for Non-Native English-Speaking Researchers in Academic Writing?
Sung Il HWANG ; Joon Seo LIM ; Ro Woon LEE ; Yusuke MATSUI ; Toshihiro IGUCHI ; Takao HIRAKI ; Hyungwoo AHN
Korean Journal of Radiology 2023;24(10):952-959
Large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have garnered considerable interest for their potential to aid non-native English-speaking researchers. These models can function as personal, round-the-clock English tutors, akin to how Prometheus in Greek mythology bestowed fire upon humans for their advancement. LLMs can be particularly helpful for non-native researchers in writing the Introduction and Discussion sections of manuscripts, where they often encounter challenges.However, using LLMs to generate text for research manuscripts entails concerns such as hallucination, plagiarism, and privacy issues; to mitigate these risks, authors should verify the accuracy of generated content, employ text similarity detectors, and avoid inputting sensitive information into their prompts. Consequently, it may be more prudent to utilize LLMs for editing and refining text rather than generating large portions of text. Journal policies concerning the use of LLMs vary, but transparency in disclosing artificial intelligence tool usage is emphasized. This paper aims to summarize how LLMs can lower the barrier to academic writing in English, enabling researchers to concentrate on domain-specific research, provided they are used responsibly and cautiously.
7.Association between alcohol consumption and subclinical atrial fibrillation
Ga‑In YU ; Daehoon KIM ; Hee Tae YU ; Tae‑Hoon KIM ; Il‑Young OH ; Jong Sung PARK ; Hyung‑Seob PARK ; Junbeom PARK ; Young Soo LEE ; Ki‑Woon KANG ; Jaemin SHIM ; Jung‑Hoon SUNG ; Eue‑Keun CHOI ; Boyoung JOUNG ;
International Journal of Arrhythmia 2023;24(3):20-
Background:
It has become important to identify and manage risk factors for subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) with an increase in its detection rate. Thus, this research aimed to investigate whether alcohol consumption contrib‑ utes to the development of subclinical AF.
Methods:
This prospective study enrolled 467 patients without AF from a multicenter pacemaker registry. The incidence of subclinical AF (episodes of atrial rate > 220 beats per minute without symptoms) was compared between alcohol-drinking and non-drinking groups.
Results:
During followup (median 18 months), the incidence and risk of long-duration atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) ≥ 24 h were increased in the alcohol group compared to the non-alcohol group [5.47 vs. 2.10 per 100 personyears, adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 2.83; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14–7.04; P = 0.03]. After propensity score match‑ ing, the incidence and risk of long-duration AHRE were higher in the alcohol group (6.97 vs. 1.27 per 100 personyears, adjusted HR, 7.84; 95% CI, 1.21–50.93; P = 0.03). The mean burden of long-duration subclinical AF was higher in the alcohol group than in the non-alcohol group (0.18 vs. 1.61% during follow-up, P = 0.08).
Conclusion
Alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of subclinical AF. Long-duration AHRE inci‑ dence and AHRE burden were higher in alcohol drinkers than in non-drinkers.
8.Resting heart rate and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with non‑paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: CODE‑AF registry
Hanjin PARK ; Hee Tae YU ; Tae‑Hoon KIM ; Junbeom PARK ; Jin‑Kyu PARK ; Ki‑Woon KANG ; Jaemin SHIM ; Jin‑Bae KIM ; Jun KIM ; Eue‑Keun CHOI ; HyungWook PARK ; Young Soo LEE ; Boyoung JOUNG
International Journal of Arrhythmia 2023;24(3):15-
Background:
The prognostic significance of resting heart rate and its therapeutic target in atrial fibrillation (AF) is uncertain. We sought to investigate the relationship between resting heart rate and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with non-paroxysmal AF (non-PAF).
Methods:
In this propensity score-weighted, multi-center prospective cohort study, 3217 patients with non-PAF were analyzed. Patients were categorized according to the baseline resting heart rate and cardiovascular outcomes were accessed for a median follow-up of 30 months. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, and myocardial infarction/critical limb ischemia.
Results:
Freedom from primary outcome was longest among patients with resting heart rate 80–99 beats per minute (bpm) whereas shortest among those with ≤ 59 bpm (weighted log rank, p = 0.008). Compared with heart rate ≥ 100 bpm, resting heart rate 80–99 and 60–79 bpm was associated with reduced risk of primary outcome (weighted hazard ratio [WHR] 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32–0.84, p = 0.008 and WHR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37–0.92, p = 0.021 for heart rate 80–99 and 60–79 bpm, respectively). Using weighted restricted cubic spline curves, there was a U-shaped association between the resting heart rate and primary outcome with reduced risk of primary outcome in heart rate range of 68–99 bpm. This association was maintained regardless of atrioventricular node (AVN) blocker use or persistent/permanent AF (p for interaction 0.767 for AVN blocker use and 0.720 for AF type).
Conclusion
Resting heart rate was associated with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with non-PAF and those with resting heart rate between 68 and 99 bpm had lower risk of adverse cardiovascular events regardless of AVN blocker use or persistent/permanent AF.
9.Osteochondroma in the Rib: A Case Report Reviewing Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings
Yoon Yeong CHOI ; Ro Woon LEE ; Kyu Hong LEE ; Yong Han YOON
Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging 2023;27(2):114-119
Osteochondroma is a benign bone tumor that is most commonly found in the extremities and is prevalent in adolescents, with a peak incidence before the age of 20 years. Herein, we present a rare case of a 33-year-old man with an asymptomatic tumor on the right anterior rib that was pathologically confirmed to be a rib osteochondroma after surgical excision. We describe the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures and highlight the importance of MRI as a critical diagnostic tool for osteochondroma.
10.Fat Graft with Allograft Adipose Matrix and Magnesium Hydroxide-Incorporated PLGA Microspheres for Effective Soft Tissue Reconstruction
Dae-Hee KIM ; Da-Seul KIM ; Hyun-Jeong HA ; Ji-Won JUNG ; Seung-Woon BAEK ; Seung Hwa BAEK ; Tae-Hyung KIM ; Jung Chan LEE ; Euna HWANG ; Dong Keun HAN
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2022;19(3):553-563
BACKGROUND:
Autologous fat grafting is one of the most common procedures used in plastic surgery to correct soft tissue deficiency or depression deformity. However, its clinical outcomes are often suboptimal, and lack of metabolic and architectural support at recipient sites affect fat survival leading to complications such as cyst formation, calcification.Extracellular matrix-based scaffolds, such as allograft adipose matrix (AAM) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA), have shown exceptional clinical promise as regenerative scaffolds. Magnesium hydroxide (MH), an alkaline ceramic, has attracted attention as a potential additive to improve biocompatibility. We attempted to combine fat graft with regenerative scaffolds and analyzed the changes and viability of injected fat graft in relation to the effects of injectable natural, and synthetic (PLGA/MH microsphere) biomaterials.
METHODS:
In vitro cell cytotoxicity, angiogenesis of the scaffolds, and wound healing were evaluated using human dermal fibroblast cells. Subcutaneous soft-tissue integration of harvested fat tissue was investigated in vivo in nude mouse with random fat transfer protocol Fat integrity and angiogenesis were identified by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS:
In vitro cell cytotoxicity was not observed both in AAM and PLGA/MH with human dermal fibroblast.PLGA/MH and AAM showed excellent wound healing effect. in vivo, the AAM and PLGA/MH retained volume compared to that in the only fat group. And the PLGA/MH showed the highest angiogenesis and anti-inflammation.
CONCLUSION
In this study, a comparison of the volume retention effect and angiogenic ability between autologous fat grafting, injectable natural, and synthetic biomaterials will provide a reasonable basis for fat grafting.

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