Objective: Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is extensively utilized as an anti-aging agent and possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates Toll-like receptor 4, a process modulated by intracellular signaling pathways such as the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This study investigated the impact of NMN on osteogenesis in the presence of LPS. Methods: To elucidate the role of NMN in osteogenesis in the context of Gram-negative bacterial infection after LPS treatment, we cultured a mouse pre-osteoblast cell line (MC3T3-E1) and subsequently incubated it with NMN and/or LPS. We then evaluated osteogenic activity by measuring alkaline phosphatase activity, assessing gene expression and protein levels, and performing Alizarin Red S staining and immunocytochemistry. Results: MC3T3-E1 cells underwent successful differentiation into osteoblasts following treatment with osteogenic induction medium. LPS diminished features related to osteogenic differentiation, which were subsequently partially reversed by treatment with NMN. The restorative effects of NMN on LPS-exposed MC3T3-E1 cells were further substantiated by elucidating the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, as confirmed through immunocytochemistry. Conclusion This study showed that infection with Gram-negative bacteria disrupted the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. This adverse effect was partially reversed by administering a high-dose of NMN. Drawing on these results, we propose that NMN could serve as a viable therapeutic strategy to preserve bone homeostasis in elderly and immunocompromised patients.

Objective: We evaluated the efficacy of the newly developed optimized in vitro culture (OIVC) dish for cultivating preimplantation mouse embryos. This dish minimizes the need for mineral oil and incorporates microwells, providing a stable culture environment and enabling independent monitoring of individual embryos. Methods: Mouse pronuclear (PN) zygotes and two-cell-stage embryos were collected at 18 and 46 hours after human chorionic gonadotropin injection, respectively. These were cultured for 120 hours using potassium simplex optimized medium (KSOM) to reach the blastocyst stage. The embryos were randomly allocated into three groups, each cultured in one of three dishes: a 60-mm culture dish, a microdrop dish, and an OIVC dish that we developed. Results: The OIVC dish effectively maintained the osmolarity of the KSOM culture medium over a 5-day period using only 2 mL of mineral oil. This contrasts with the significant osmolarity increase observed in the 60-mm culture dish. Additionally, the OIVC dish exhibited higher blastulation rates from two-cell embryos (100%) relative to the other dish types. Moreover, blastocysts derived from both PN zygotes and two-cell embryos in the OIVC dish group demonstrated significantly elevated mean cell numbers. Conclusion Use of the OIVC dish markedly increased the number of cells in blastocysts derived from the in vitro culture of preimplantation mouse embryos. The capacity of this dish to maintain medium osmolarity with minimal mineral oil usage represents a breakthrough that may advance embryo culture techniques for various mammals, including human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer programs.

Monospermy occurs in the process of normal fertilization where a single sperm fuses with the egg, resulting in the formation of a diploid zygote. During the process of fertilization, the sperm must penetrate the zona pellucida (ZP), the outer layer of the egg, to reach the egg’s plasma membrane. Once a sperm binds to the ZP, it undergoes an acrosomal reaction, which involves the release of enzymes from the sperm’s acrosome that help it to penetrate the ZP. Ovastacin is one of the enzymes that is involved in breaking down the ZP. Studies have shown that ovastacin is necessary for the breakdown of the ZP and for successful fertilization to occur. However, the activity of ovastacin is tightly regulated to ensure that only one sperm can fertilize the egg. One way in which ovastacin helps to prevent polyspermy (the fertilization of an egg by more than one sperm) is by rapidly degrading the ZP after a sperm has penetrated it. This makes it difficult for additional sperm to penetrate the ZP and fertilize the egg. Ovastacin is also thought to play a role in the block to polyspermy, a mechanism that prevents additional sperm from fusing with the egg’s plasma membrane after fertilization has occurred. In summary, the role of ovastacin in monospermic fertilization is to help ensure that only one sperm can fertilize the egg, while preventing polyspermy and ensuring successful fertilization.

Background: and PurposeInterhospital transfer is an essential practical component of regional stroke care systems. To establish an effective stroke transfer network in South Korea, an interactive transfer system was constructed, and its workflow metrics were observed. Methods: In March 2019, a direct transfer system between primary stroke hospitals (PSHs) and comprehensive regional stroke centers (CSCs) was established to standardize the clinical pathway of imaging, recanalization therapy, transfer decisions, and exclusive transfer linkage systems in the two types of centers. In an active case, the time metrics from arrival at PSH (“door”) to imaging was measured, and intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular treatment (EVT) were used to assess the differences in clinical situations. Results: The direct transfer system was used by 27 patients. They stayed at the PSH for a median duration of 72 min (interquartile range [IQR], 38–114 min), with a median times of 15 and 58 min for imaging and subsequent processing, respectively. The door-to-needle median times of subjects treated with IVT at PSHs (n=5) and CSCs (n=2) were 21 min (IQR, 20.0–22.0 min) and 137.5 min (IQR, 125.3–149.8 min), respectively. EVT was performed on seven subjects (25.9%) at CSCs, which took a median duration of 175 min; 77 min at the PSH, 48 min for transportation, and 50 min at the CSC. Before EVT, bridging IVT at the PSH did not significantly affect the door-to-puncture time (127 min vs. 143.5 min, p=0.86). Conclusions The direct and interactive transfer system is feasible in real-world practice in South Korea and presents merits in reducing the treatment delay by sharing information during transfer.

Background: Submental intubation is commonly used during general anesthesia for maxillofacial surgeries as it provides a safe unrestricted surgical access compared to tracheostomy. During submental intubation, soft tissues and blood clots can become lodged in the endotracheal tube. To overcome this problem, we used a laparoscopic trocar.Case: A 52-year-old man with maxillofacial injury was scheduled to undergo an open reduction and internal fixation. We performed submental intubation using laparoscopic trocar, which created sufficient space for the insertion of the endotracheal tube. Unlike conventional methods, our method did not require any blunt dissection and caused significantly less soft tissue damage and required significantly less time. Conclusions Submental intubation with laparoscopic trocar is a one-step method and is quick and easy-to-perform technique with less complications.

Recently, there have been many studies in medicine related to genetic analysis. Many genetic studies have been performed to find genes associated with complex diseases. To find out how genes are related to disease, we need to understand not only the simple relationship of genotypes but also the way they are related to phenotype. Multi-block data, which is a summation form of variable sets, is used for enhancing the analysis of the relationships of different blocks. By identifying relationships through a multi-block data form, we can understand the association between the blocks in comprehending the correlation between them. Several statistical analysis methods have been developed to understand the relationship between multi-block data. In this paper, we will use generalized canonical correlation methodology to analyze multi-block data from the Korean Association Resource project, which has a combination of single nucleotide polymorphism blocks, phenotype blocks, and disease blocks.
Genome-Wide Association Study ; Genotype ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Thermal ablation using radiofrequency is a new, minimally invasive modality employed as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers. The Task Force Committee of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) developed recommendations for the optimal use of radiofrequency ablation for thyroid tumors in 2012. As new meaningful evidences have accumulated, KSThR decided to revise the guidelines. The revised guideline is based on a comprehensive analysis of the current literature and expert consensus.
Advisory Committees ; Catheter Ablation* ; Consensus ; Humans ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule ; Ultrasonography

Core needle biopsy (CNB) has been suggested as a complementary diagnostic method to fine-needle aspiration in patients with thyroid nodules. Many recent CNB studies have suggested a more advanced role for CNB, but there are still no guidelines on its use. Therefore, the Task Force Committee of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology has developed the present consensus statement and recommendations for the role of CNB in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. These recommendations are based on evidence from the current literature and expert consensus.
Advisory Committees ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Biopsy, Large-Core Needle* ; Consensus* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Methods ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the morphological and functional characteristics of quadricuspid aortic valves (QAV) on cardiac computed tomography (CCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 11 patients with QAV. All patients underwent CCT and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and 7 patients underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). The presence and classification of QAV assessed by CCT was compared with that of TTE and intraoperative findings. The regurgitant orifice area (ROA) measured by CCT was compared with severity of aortic regurgitation (AR) by TTE and the regurgitant fraction (RF) by CMR. RESULTS: All of the patients had AR; 9 had pure AR, 1 had combined aortic stenosis and regurgitation, and 1 had combined subaortic stenosis and regurgitation. Two patients had a subaortic fibrotic membrane and 1 of them showed a subaortic stenosis. One QAV was misdiagnosed as tricuspid aortic valve on TTE. In accordance with the Hurwitz and Robert's classification, consensus was reached on the QAV classification between the CCT and TTE findings in 7 of 10 patients. The patients were classified as type A (n = 1), type B (n = 3), type C (n = 1), type D (n = 4), and type F (n = 2) on CCT. A very high correlation existed between ROA by CCT and RF by CMR (r = 0.99) but a good correlation existed between ROA by CCT and regurgitant severity by TTE (r = 0.62). CONCLUSION: Cardiac computed tomography provides comprehensive anatomical and functional information about the QAV.
Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Aortic Valve* ; Classification ; Consensus ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Membranes ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To elucidate the clinical manifestations of cytomegalovirus (CMV) endotheliitis, and evaluate the outcomes of treatment in CMV endotheliitis. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 7 patients (8 eyes) who were diagnosed with CMV endotheliitis via a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of aqueous humor and were treated with ganciclovir. RESULTS: Eight eyes of 7 patients were followed for a mean of 17.8 months. One patient had bilateral corneal endotheliitis. All eyes had coin-shaped keratoprecipitates and mild anterior chamber inflammation (1+~2+). All eyes had an absence of anterior segment inflammation 3 weeks after ganciclovir treatment. Following treatment, the mean visual acuity improved significantly from 0.60 ± 0.40 (log MAR) at baseline to 0.18 ± 0.18 (log MAR) at last follow-up. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased significantly from 30 mm Hg at baseline to 12 mm Hg at last visit. Two eyes had a recurrence of corneal endotheliitis, where one underwent penetrating keratoplasty and the other was treated with intravitreal ganciclovir injection. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with increased IOP and coin-shaped keratoprecipitates are suspected to have CMV endotheliitis, and PCR of aqueous humor is needed to diagnose CMV endotheliitis. More than 6 weeks of ganciclovir treatment might be effective for CMV endotheliitis and may help prevent recurrence.
Anterior Chamber ; Aqueous Humor ; Cytomegalovirus* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ganciclovir ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intraocular Pressure ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating ; Medical Records ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recurrence ; Visual Acuity