Purpose: Skeletal muscle atrophy, characterized by a reduction in muscle mass and size, is known to be associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to examine the effect of blackcurrant extract on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α-induced myotube atrophy. Methods: C2C12 myotubes were treated with blackcurrant extract and cultured with TNF-α for 24 hours. The myotubes were stained using May-Grunwald Giemsa staining to measure the myotube diameter. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed.The mRNA expression of inflammation-related markers such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), as well as mitochondria dynamicsrelated markers, including mitochondrial fission protein 1 (Fis1), optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of muscle protein degradation markers, including muscle ring finger protein 1 (MuRF-1), atrogin-1, and forkhead box protein O3 (FoXO3), as well as mitochondrial biogenesis markers such as silent information regulator T1 (Sirt1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), were assessed by western blot analysis. Results: Treatment with blackcurrant extract increased the myotube diameter, which was decreased in TNF-α-induced myotube atrophy. Treatment with TNF-α increased ROS levels and the expression of MuRF-1 and atrogin-1, and these increases were significantly inhibited by treatment with the blackcurrant extract. In contrast, the phosphorylation of FoXO3 was increased by the blackcurrant extract. Furthermore, the blackcurrant extract treatment decreased the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, and iNOS elevated by TNF-α treatment. Additionally, blackcurrant extract treatment suppressed the expression of Fis1, while increasing the expression of Opa1, Sirt1, and PGC-1α. Conclusion These results suggest that blackcurrant extract reduces TNF-α-induced muscle protein degradation by the enhancement of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics. Thus, this study provides foundational data supporting the potential of blackcurrant extract as a functional ingredient for the prevention of muscle atrophy.

Background/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits high de novo recurrence rates post-resection. Current post-surgery recurrence prediction methods are limited, emphasizing the need for reliable biomarkers to assess recurrence risk. We aimed to develop methylation-based markers for classifying HCC patients and predicting their risk of de novo recurrence post-surgery. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from HCC patients who underwent surgical resection in Korea, excluding those with recurrence within one year post-surgery. Using the Infinium Methylation EPIC array on 140 samples in the discovery cohort, we classified patients into low- and high-risk groups based on methylation profiles. Distinctive markers were identified through random forest analysis. These markers were validated in the cancer genome atlas (n=217), Validation cohort 1 (n=63) and experimental Validation using a methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) assay in Validation cohort 1 and Validation cohort 2 (n=63). Results: The low-risk recurrence group (methylation group 1; MG1) showed a methylation average of 0.73 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69–0.77) with a 23.5% recurrence rate, while the high-risk group (MG2) had an average of 0.17 (95% CI 0.14–0.20) with a 44.1% recurrence rate (P<0.03). Validation confirmed the applicability of methylation markers across diverse populations, showing high accuracy in predicting the probability of HCC recurrence risk (area under the curve 96.8%). The MS-HRM assay confirmed its effectiveness in predicting de novo recurrence with 95.5% sensitivity, 89.7% specificity, and 92.2% accuracy. Conclusions Methylation markers effectively classified HCC patients by de novo recurrence risk, enhancing prediction accuracy and potentially offering personalized management strategies.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a clinical ladder system in a tertiary hospital by examining how nurses' clinical competence and perceptions of the system affect organizational commitment. Methods: The study involved 394 nurses working at a tertiary hospital. Data were collected from May 3 to July 10, 2023, using a self-reported questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Scheffé post-hoc test, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical regression analysis, were performed using SPSS 27.0. Results: Nurses who applied for promotion to the CN III level and current CN III nurses reported higher clinical competence, perceptions of the clinical ladder system, and organizational commitment than those who did not and those at lower levels (p<.001). A positive correlation existed among all independent variables.Controlling for general characteristics, the effects of clinical competence and perceptions of the clinical ladder system explained 49% of organizational commitment variance (Adjusted R 2 =.49, F=33.43, p<.001). Conclusion Greater clinical competence and positive perceptions of the clinical ladder system are likely to enhance organizational commitment, emphasizing its effectiveness in fostering better organizational outcomes.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for peripheral intravenous catheter-related phlebitis in hospitalized neurosurgery patients. Methods: This study involved 443 neurosurgery patients who were admitted to a general hospital in Seoul. The analysis included 982 intravenous lines. Data were retrospectively extracted from electronic medical records for the period between November 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, x 2 test, and logistic regression. Results: The incidence rate of phlebitis was 13.6%, with the majority of cases classified as grade 2. Gender, present diseases, length of hospital stay, needle gauge size, and cardiovascular drugs were identified as risk factors for phlebitis in neurosurgery patients. Conclusion This study is significant as it provides basic data for the prevention and management of peripheral phlebitis in hospitalized neurosurgery patients. The risk factors identified in this study should be incorporated into nursing education to implement a systematic peripheral intravenous management program, and appropriate peripheral intravenous catheter-related nursing interventions are necessary based on the characteristics of each patient.

Purpose: Skeletal muscle atrophy, characterized by a reduction in muscle mass and size, is known to be associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to examine the effect of blackcurrant extract on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α-induced myotube atrophy. Methods: C2C12 myotubes were treated with blackcurrant extract and cultured with TNF-α for 24 hours. The myotubes were stained using May-Grunwald Giemsa staining to measure the myotube diameter. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed.The mRNA expression of inflammation-related markers such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), as well as mitochondria dynamicsrelated markers, including mitochondrial fission protein 1 (Fis1), optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of muscle protein degradation markers, including muscle ring finger protein 1 (MuRF-1), atrogin-1, and forkhead box protein O3 (FoXO3), as well as mitochondrial biogenesis markers such as silent information regulator T1 (Sirt1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), were assessed by western blot analysis. Results: Treatment with blackcurrant extract increased the myotube diameter, which was decreased in TNF-α-induced myotube atrophy. Treatment with TNF-α increased ROS levels and the expression of MuRF-1 and atrogin-1, and these increases were significantly inhibited by treatment with the blackcurrant extract. In contrast, the phosphorylation of FoXO3 was increased by the blackcurrant extract. Furthermore, the blackcurrant extract treatment decreased the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, and iNOS elevated by TNF-α treatment. Additionally, blackcurrant extract treatment suppressed the expression of Fis1, while increasing the expression of Opa1, Sirt1, and PGC-1α. Conclusion These results suggest that blackcurrant extract reduces TNF-α-induced muscle protein degradation by the enhancement of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics. Thus, this study provides foundational data supporting the potential of blackcurrant extract as a functional ingredient for the prevention of muscle atrophy.

Background/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits high de novo recurrence rates post-resection. Current post-surgery recurrence prediction methods are limited, emphasizing the need for reliable biomarkers to assess recurrence risk. We aimed to develop methylation-based markers for classifying HCC patients and predicting their risk of de novo recurrence post-surgery. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from HCC patients who underwent surgical resection in Korea, excluding those with recurrence within one year post-surgery. Using the Infinium Methylation EPIC array on 140 samples in the discovery cohort, we classified patients into low- and high-risk groups based on methylation profiles. Distinctive markers were identified through random forest analysis. These markers were validated in the cancer genome atlas (n=217), Validation cohort 1 (n=63) and experimental Validation using a methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) assay in Validation cohort 1 and Validation cohort 2 (n=63). Results: The low-risk recurrence group (methylation group 1; MG1) showed a methylation average of 0.73 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69–0.77) with a 23.5% recurrence rate, while the high-risk group (MG2) had an average of 0.17 (95% CI 0.14–0.20) with a 44.1% recurrence rate (P<0.03). Validation confirmed the applicability of methylation markers across diverse populations, showing high accuracy in predicting the probability of HCC recurrence risk (area under the curve 96.8%). The MS-HRM assay confirmed its effectiveness in predicting de novo recurrence with 95.5% sensitivity, 89.7% specificity, and 92.2% accuracy. Conclusions Methylation markers effectively classified HCC patients by de novo recurrence risk, enhancing prediction accuracy and potentially offering personalized management strategies.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a clinical ladder system in a tertiary hospital by examining how nurses' clinical competence and perceptions of the system affect organizational commitment. Methods: The study involved 394 nurses working at a tertiary hospital. Data were collected from May 3 to July 10, 2023, using a self-reported questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Scheffé post-hoc test, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical regression analysis, were performed using SPSS 27.0. Results: Nurses who applied for promotion to the CN III level and current CN III nurses reported higher clinical competence, perceptions of the clinical ladder system, and organizational commitment than those who did not and those at lower levels (p<.001). A positive correlation existed among all independent variables.Controlling for general characteristics, the effects of clinical competence and perceptions of the clinical ladder system explained 49% of organizational commitment variance (Adjusted R 2 =.49, F=33.43, p<.001). Conclusion Greater clinical competence and positive perceptions of the clinical ladder system are likely to enhance organizational commitment, emphasizing its effectiveness in fostering better organizational outcomes.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for peripheral intravenous catheter-related phlebitis in hospitalized neurosurgery patients. Methods: This study involved 443 neurosurgery patients who were admitted to a general hospital in Seoul. The analysis included 982 intravenous lines. Data were retrospectively extracted from electronic medical records for the period between November 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, x 2 test, and logistic regression. Results: The incidence rate of phlebitis was 13.6%, with the majority of cases classified as grade 2. Gender, present diseases, length of hospital stay, needle gauge size, and cardiovascular drugs were identified as risk factors for phlebitis in neurosurgery patients. Conclusion This study is significant as it provides basic data for the prevention and management of peripheral phlebitis in hospitalized neurosurgery patients. The risk factors identified in this study should be incorporated into nursing education to implement a systematic peripheral intravenous management program, and appropriate peripheral intravenous catheter-related nursing interventions are necessary based on the characteristics of each patient.

Purpose: Skeletal muscle atrophy, characterized by a reduction in muscle mass and size, is known to be associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to examine the effect of blackcurrant extract on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α-induced myotube atrophy. Methods: C2C12 myotubes were treated with blackcurrant extract and cultured with TNF-α for 24 hours. The myotubes were stained using May-Grunwald Giemsa staining to measure the myotube diameter. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed.The mRNA expression of inflammation-related markers such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), as well as mitochondria dynamicsrelated markers, including mitochondrial fission protein 1 (Fis1), optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of muscle protein degradation markers, including muscle ring finger protein 1 (MuRF-1), atrogin-1, and forkhead box protein O3 (FoXO3), as well as mitochondrial biogenesis markers such as silent information regulator T1 (Sirt1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), were assessed by western blot analysis. Results: Treatment with blackcurrant extract increased the myotube diameter, which was decreased in TNF-α-induced myotube atrophy. Treatment with TNF-α increased ROS levels and the expression of MuRF-1 and atrogin-1, and these increases were significantly inhibited by treatment with the blackcurrant extract. In contrast, the phosphorylation of FoXO3 was increased by the blackcurrant extract. Furthermore, the blackcurrant extract treatment decreased the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, and iNOS elevated by TNF-α treatment. Additionally, blackcurrant extract treatment suppressed the expression of Fis1, while increasing the expression of Opa1, Sirt1, and PGC-1α. Conclusion These results suggest that blackcurrant extract reduces TNF-α-induced muscle protein degradation by the enhancement of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics. Thus, this study provides foundational data supporting the potential of blackcurrant extract as a functional ingredient for the prevention of muscle atrophy.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a clinical ladder system in a tertiary hospital by examining how nurses' clinical competence and perceptions of the system affect organizational commitment. Methods: The study involved 394 nurses working at a tertiary hospital. Data were collected from May 3 to July 10, 2023, using a self-reported questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Scheffé post-hoc test, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical regression analysis, were performed using SPSS 27.0. Results: Nurses who applied for promotion to the CN III level and current CN III nurses reported higher clinical competence, perceptions of the clinical ladder system, and organizational commitment than those who did not and those at lower levels (p<.001). A positive correlation existed among all independent variables.Controlling for general characteristics, the effects of clinical competence and perceptions of the clinical ladder system explained 49% of organizational commitment variance (Adjusted R 2 =.49, F=33.43, p<.001). Conclusion Greater clinical competence and positive perceptions of the clinical ladder system are likely to enhance organizational commitment, emphasizing its effectiveness in fostering better organizational outcomes.