In light of the burgeoning successes of cancer immunotherapy, glioblastoma (GBM) remains refractory due to an immunosuppressive microenvironment originating from its molecular heterogeneity. Thus, identifying promising therapeutic targets for treating GBM and discovering methodologies to effectively regulate them is still a tremendous challenge. Here we describe photodynamic protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) proteolysis mediated by a proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) nanoassembly. The PTP1B-targeting PROTAC is conjugated with a photosensitizer via a cathepsin B (Cat B)-cleavable peptide, which spontaneously forms nanoassemblies due to intermolecular π-π stacking interactions. In GBM models, PROTAC nanoassemblies significantly accumulate in the tumor region across the disrupted blood-brain barrier (BBB), triggering a burst release of the photosensitizer and active PROTAC by Cat B-mediated enzymatic cleavage. Upon laser irradiation, photodynamic therapy (PDT) synergizes with PROTAC-mediated PTP1B proteolysis to induce potent immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumor cells. Subsequently, persistent PTP1B degradation by nanoassemblies in Cat B-overexpressed intratumoral T cells downregulates exhaustion markers, reinvigorating their functionality. These sequential processes of photodynamic PTP1B proteolysis ultimately augment T cell-mediated antitumor immunity as well as protective immunity, completely eradicating the primary GBM and preventing its recurrence. Overall, our findings underscore the therapeutic potential of combining PDT with PROTAC activity for GBM immunotherapy.

In cases of partially edentulous patients with insufficient remaining teeth, rotational movement of the denture occurs and prognosis of the remaining teeth is uncertain when restoring with a removable partial denture. Recently, implant-assisted removable partial dentures, where a small number of implants are placed and surveyed crowns are fabricated on the implants to be used as abutments, have been suggested. In this case, the patient had only one remaining tooth in the mandible and implants were placed in both posterior regions to be used as surveyed crowns to restore the patient with an implant-assisted removable partial denture. This approach improved the support, retention, and stability of the denture, resulting in functionally and aesthetically satisfactory outcomes.

Background/Aims: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the recent nationwide trends in major dietary risk factors for dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Methods: We estimated age-standardized mean intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, dietary fiber, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs); and mean percentage of energy intake from protein, total fat, saturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat using nationally representative samples from the Korean National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey 2013–2022. To assess overall diet quality, we calculated mean Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) (range 0–100, higher scores indicating greater diet quality). Results: In 2013–2022, there were overall decreasing trends in age-standardized mean KHEI score and intakes of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and dietary fiber; and overall increasing trends in mean intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat among both male and female. The KHEI score increased in older adults aged ≥ 60 years, whereas it decreased among younger adults. Throughout the study period, younger adults tended to have lower intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and whole grains; higher intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat; and lower KHEI score. The mean KHEI score was lower in male (vs. female) and lower (vs. higher) income groups. Conclusions Our data suggest that, from 2013 to 2022, there was a trend toward an unhealthy diet in Korean adults. Our findings also suggest dietary inequalities among age, sex, and income groups, suggesting the need for more intense interventions targeting the vulnerable populations.

In cases of partially edentulous patients with insufficient remaining teeth, rotational movement of the denture occurs and prognosis of the remaining teeth is uncertain when restoring with a removable partial denture. Recently, implant-assisted removable partial dentures, where a small number of implants are placed and surveyed crowns are fabricated on the implants to be used as abutments, have been suggested. In this case, the patient had only one remaining tooth in the mandible and implants were placed in both posterior regions to be used as surveyed crowns to restore the patient with an implant-assisted removable partial denture. This approach improved the support, retention, and stability of the denture, resulting in functionally and aesthetically satisfactory outcomes.

In cases of partially edentulous patients with insufficient remaining teeth, rotational movement of the denture occurs and prognosis of the remaining teeth is uncertain when restoring with a removable partial denture. Recently, implant-assisted removable partial dentures, where a small number of implants are placed and surveyed crowns are fabricated on the implants to be used as abutments, have been suggested. In this case, the patient had only one remaining tooth in the mandible and implants were placed in both posterior regions to be used as surveyed crowns to restore the patient with an implant-assisted removable partial denture. This approach improved the support, retention, and stability of the denture, resulting in functionally and aesthetically satisfactory outcomes.

Background/Aims: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the recent nationwide trends in major dietary risk factors for dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Methods: We estimated age-standardized mean intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, dietary fiber, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs); and mean percentage of energy intake from protein, total fat, saturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat using nationally representative samples from the Korean National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey 2013–2022. To assess overall diet quality, we calculated mean Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) (range 0–100, higher scores indicating greater diet quality). Results: In 2013–2022, there were overall decreasing trends in age-standardized mean KHEI score and intakes of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and dietary fiber; and overall increasing trends in mean intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat among both male and female. The KHEI score increased in older adults aged ≥ 60 years, whereas it decreased among younger adults. Throughout the study period, younger adults tended to have lower intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and whole grains; higher intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat; and lower KHEI score. The mean KHEI score was lower in male (vs. female) and lower (vs. higher) income groups. Conclusions Our data suggest that, from 2013 to 2022, there was a trend toward an unhealthy diet in Korean adults. Our findings also suggest dietary inequalities among age, sex, and income groups, suggesting the need for more intense interventions targeting the vulnerable populations.

Purpose: This study evaluated the educational impact of an artificial intelligence (AI)–based decision support system for breast ultrasonography (US) on medical professionals not specialized in breast imaging. Methods: In this multi-case, multi-reader study, educational materials, including American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) descriptors, were provided alongside corresponding AI results during training. The AI system presented results in the form of AIheatmaps, AI scores, and AI-provided BI-RADS assessment categories. Forty-two readers evaluated the test set in three sessions: the first session (S1) occurred before the educational intervention, the second session (S2) followed education without AI assistance, and the third session (S3) took place after education with AI assistance. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and overall performance, were compared between the sessions. Results: The mean sensitivity increased from 66.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 59.2% to 73.7%) to 88.7% (95% CI, 84.1% to 93.3%), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001), and the AUC non-significantly increased from 0.664 (95% CI, 0.606 to 0.723) to 0.684 (95% CI, 0.620 to 0.748) (P=0.300). Both measures were higher in S2 than in S1. The AI-achieved AUC was comparable to that of the expert reader (0.747 [95% CI, 0.640 to 0.855] vs. 0.803 [95% CI, 0.706 to 0.900], P=0.217). Additionally, with AI assistance, the mean AUC for inexperienced readers was not significantly different from that of the expert reader (0.745 [95% CI, 0.660 to 0.830] vs. 0.803 [95% CI, 0.706 to 0.900], P=0.120). Conclusion The mean AUC and sensitivity improved after incorporating AI into breast US education and interpretation. AI systems with high-level performance for breast US can potentially be used as educational tools in the interpretation of breast US images.

Background: and Purpose: Empathy comprises cognitive and emotional components.However, the impairments in empathy among individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (DAT) are not well understood, particularly in the context of depression, which may exacerbate these deficits. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of neurodegeneration and depression on empathetic abilities. Methods: The study included 31 healthy elderly (HE) individuals, 30 patients with amnestic multi-domain MCI (amMCI), and 30 patients with DAT. Empathy was assessed using the Korean-Multifaceted Empathy Test (K-MET), and the Interpersonal Response Index (IRI).Participants were classified as depressed or non-depressed using the Geriatric Depression Scale. A two-way MANOVA was conducted to examine differences in empathy based on group and depressive status. Results: A significant interaction between group and depressive status was found for both cognitive and emotional empathy on the K-MET, but not on the IRI. In the depressed group, cognitive empathy scores were lower in the order of HE, amMCI, and DAT. Similarly, in the non-depressed group, the HE group performed better than both amMCI and DAT, with no significant difference between the latter two. Regarding emotional empathy, the depressed HE group scored higher than both amMCI and DAT, with no significant difference between these groups. In the non-depressed group, emotional empathy declined in the order of HE, amMCI, and DAT. Conclusions These findings indicate that both neurodegeneration and depression significantly impair empathetic abilities, with declines in cognitive and emotional empathy evident at the MCI stage, regardless of depressive status.