Introduction: The primary issue following lumbar discectomy for disc herniation is the risk of reherniation in the post-operative period. Many surgical techniques have been proposed to treat disc reherniation, however, the optimal one remains variable. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the prevalence of symptomatic reherniation after using a Bone-anchored annular closure device following lumbar discectomy and the contributing factors. Materials and methods: Identification of published literature was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Studies published until 14 February 2024 reported the prevalence of symptomatic reherniation after using a Bone-anchored annular closure device following lumbar discectomy and the associated contributing factors. A random effects model was used to conduct Bayesian frequentist network meta-analysis and pair-wise meta-analysis, with the assessment based on standardised mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Eleven studies published in 2012 − 2022 recruiting a total of 5195 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of reherniation in ACD and control groups was 23.2% (95% CI: 18.2% − 28.1%) and 36.4% (95% CI: 28.2% − 44.5%), respectively. The moderator effect of sample size is significant for pooled data of the ACD group (p-mod=0.002), but not for the control group (pmod=0.278). After the adjustment with sample size, the prevalence rates were 13.6% (95% CI: 6.2% − 21.1%) and 29.6% (95% CI: 14.9% − 33.2%) for ACD and control groups, respectively. Conclusion: Comparatively to lumbar discectomy alone, using a Bone-anchored annular closure device following lumbar discectomy decreased the symptomatic reherniation rate and post-operative complications, as well as the necessity for subsequent surgeries.

To develop a novel polyamino acid-based nanohydrogel drug delivery system for dexamethasone to enhance its delivery efficiency to the inner ear.

Background: Diabetes in older adults is becoming a significant public burden to South Korea. However, a comprehensive understanding of epidemiologic trends and the detailed clinical characteristics of older adults with diabetes is lacking. Therefore, we evaluated epidemiologic trends and the metabolic and lifestyle characteristics of diabetes in Korean older adults. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to assess diabetes prevalence according to diabetes duration and lifestyle behaviors. In addition, we drew upon the National Health Information Database of the National Health Insurance System to assess physical activity levels, antidiabetic medication use, polypharmacy, medication adherence, and major comorbidities. Results: The absolute number of newly diagnosed cases of diabetes among older adults doubled over the past decade. Management rates of metabolic indicators were higher in older adults with diabetes compared to those without diabetes. The proportion of older adults with diabetes meeting the minimum recommended physical activity increased over the years. Compared to 10 years before, the use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor had increased, as had comorbidities such as dyslipidemia, dementia, cancer, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and chronic kidney disease. Initial medication adherence was significantly lower in those with end-stage kidney disease or dementia, insulin use, high-risk alcohol use, and living alone. Continuing insulin use 1 year after diagnosis of diabetes was significantly higher in those who initiated insulin therapy at diagnosis, had retinopathy, were on triple antidiabetic medications, and had a history of cancer. Conclusion Comprehensive management of metabolic indicators and physical activity is essential for older adults with diabetes. Improvements in prescribing guidelines, personalized management of age-related comorbidities, and individualized approaches that consider the heterogeneous nature of older adults with diabetes are desirable. Further research, such as high-quality cohort and intervention studies specific to older adults, is needed to establish evidence-based management for older adults with diabetes.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer-enclosed particles carrying bioactive cargo, including nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, facilitating intercellular and interorgan communication. In addition to traditional mediators such as hormones, metabolites, and cytokines, increasing evidence suggests that EVs are key modulators in various physiological and pathological processes, particularly influencing metabolic homeostasis and contributing to the progression of cardiometabolic diseases. This review provides an overview of the most recent insights into EV-mediated mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, steatotic liver disease, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. EVs play a critical role in modulating insulin sensitivity, glucose homeostasis, systemic inflammation, and vascular health by transferring functional molecules to target cells. Understanding the EV-mediated network offers potential for identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets, providing opportunities for EV-based interventions in cardiometabolic disease management. Although many challenges remain, this evolving field highlights the need for further research into EV biology and its translational applications in cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Osteoporosis management in post-menopausal women focuses on fracture prevention, with denosumab as a key therapeutic option. Despite its proven efficacy in reducing fracture risk and increasing bone mineral density (BMD) over 10 years, its long-term impact remains uncertain. We evaluated the literature on its efficacy and safety beyond the initial decade. Clinical trials and real-world studies confirm denosumab’s sustained efficacy, especially in lumbar spine BMD, with hip BMD stabilizing. Concerns about adverse events (AEs) like hypocalcemia and osteonecrosis of the jaw necessitate vigilant monitoring. Risks of atypical femoral fractures and malignancies also require attention, despite unclear links to treatment duration. Clinical guidelines for denosumab beyond 10 years are limited, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring. In certain scenarios, such as advanced chronic kidney disease, prolonged denosumab may be required to balance AE risks with fracture prevention benefits. Denosumab shows potential for long-term efficacy in augmenting BMD; however, monitoring for AEs is crucial to guide clinical decision-making effectively.

Emerging evidence suggests that systemic inflammation may play a critical role in neurological disorders. Recent studies have shown the connection between inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and neurological disorders, revealing a bidirectional relationship through the gut-brain axis.Immunotherapies, such as Treg cells infusion, have been proposed for IBD. However, the role of adaptive immune cells in IBD-induced neuroinflammation remains unclear. In this study, we established an animal model for IBD in mice with severe combined immune-deficient (SCID), an adaptive immune deficiency, to investigate the role of adaptive immune cells in IBD-induced neuroinflammation. Mice were fed 1%, 3%, or 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 5 days. We measured body weight, colon length, disease activity index (DAI), and crypt damage. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured in the colon, while microglial morphology, neuronal count, and inflammatory cytokines were analyzed in the brain. In the 3% DSS group, colitis symptoms appeared at day 7, with reduced colon length and increased crypt damage showing colitis-like symptoms. By day 21, colon length and crypt damage persisted, while DAI showed recovery. Although colonic inflammation peaked at day 7, no significant increase in inflammatory cytokines or microglial hyperactivation was observed in the brain. By day 21, neuroinflammation was detected, albeit with a slight delay, in the absence of adaptive immune cells. The colitis-induced neuroinflammation model provides insights into the fundamental immune mechanisms of the gut-brain axis and may contribute to developing immune cell therapies for IBD-induced neuroinflammation.