Intraflagellar transport (IFT) particles, a multi-protein apparatus composed of complex A and B, are known to be involved in homeostasis of flagella formation. IFT particles have recently become an interesting topic in Giardia lamblia, which has 4 pairs of flagella. In this experiment, we examined the function of giardial IFT components. When 7 components (IFT121, 140, 20, 46, 52, 81, and 88) of IFT were expressed in Giardia trophozoites as a tagged form with mNeonGreen, all of them were found in both flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. In addition, motor proteins for IFT particles (kinesin-13 and kinesin-2b), were localized to a median body and cytoplasmic flagella, respectively. The CRISPRi-mediated knockdown of IFT88 significantly affected the lengths of all 4 flagella compared to the control cells, Giardia expressing dead Cas9 using control guide RNA. Decreased expression of kinesin-2b also resulted in shortening of flagella, excluding the ventral flagella. Live Giardia cells expressing IFT88-mNeonGreen clearly demonstrated fluorescence in flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. These results on IFT88 and kinesin-2b indicate that IFT complex plays a role in maintenance of G. lamblia flagella.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality after liver transplantation (LT). Although the impact of secondary tricuspid regurgitation (TR) with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) is well investigated, the impact of primary TR with tricuspid valve incompetence (TVI) on LT outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and impact of primary TR with TVI on LT outcomes in a large-volume LT center. Methods: We retrospectively examined 5 512 consecutive LT recipients who underwent routine pretransplant echocardiography between 2008 and 2020. Patients were categorized based on the presence of anatomical TVI, specifically defined by incomplete coaptation, coaptation failure, prolapse, and flail leaflets of tricuspid valve (TV). Propensity score (PS)-based inverse probability weighting (IPW) was used to balance clinical and cardiovascular risk variables. The outcomes were one-year cumulative all-cause mortality and 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Results: Anatomical TVI was identified in 14 patients (0.3%). Although rare, these patients exhibited significantly lower post-LT one-year survival rates (64.3% vs. 91.5%, P < 0.001) and higher 30-day MACE rates (42.9% vs. 16.9%, P = 0.026) than patients without TVI. They also had worse survival irrespective of echocardiographic evidence of PH (P < 0.001) and exhibited higher one-year mortality (IPW-adjusted hazard ratio: 4.09, P = 0.002) and increased 30-day MACE rates (IPW-adjusted odds ratio: 1.24, P = 0.048). Conclusions Primary TR with anatomical TVI was associated with significantly reduced one-year survival and increased post-LT MACE rates. These patients should be prioritized similarly to those with secondary TR with severe PH, with appropriate pretransplant evaluations and treatments to improve survival outcomes.

Purpose: With the accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, the integration of AI education into medical school curricula is gaining significant attention. This study aimed to gather the perceptions of faculty members and students regarding the integration of AI education into medical curricula in the Korean context. Methods: Faculty members and medical students’ perspectives on integrating AI into medical curricula were assessed through thematic analysis of free-written responses from 157 faculty members and 125 students in a national online survey on medical AI competencies in South Korea. Results: Three key themes emerged: content, which prioritizes basic knowledge and its practical applications, with an emphasis on ethical and legal responsibilities; curricular design, which advocates for a spiral curriculum tailored to learners' needs; and concerns, which highlight balancing AI integration with the principal goals of medical education while critically evaluating ongoing advancements. Conclusion Our study adds valuable insights into the content and methods to prioritize AI education. Given the rapid evolution of medical learners and AI technologies, continuous and timely needs assessment for AI curriculum development is crucial to maintain relevance and effectiveness.

Background: Intellectual disability (ID) may be associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, evidence from longitudinal studies is scarce, particularly in Asian populations. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used representative linked data from the Korea National Disability Registration System and the National Health Insurance Service database. Adults (≥20 years) who received a national health examination in 2009 (3,385 individuals with ID and 3,463,604 individuals without ID) were included and followed until 2020. ID was identified using legal registration information. Incident DM was defined by prescription records with relevant diagnostic codes. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for DM risks in individuals with ID compared to those without ID. Results: Over a mean follow-up of 9.8 years, incident DM occurred in 302 (8.9%) individuals with ID and 299,156 (8.4%) individuals without ID. Having ID was associated with increased DM risk (aHR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.55). Sensitivity analysis confirmed a higher DM risk in individuals with ID (aHR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.24 to 1.56) than those with other disabilities (aHR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.13) or no disability (reference). Stratified analysis showed higher DM risk in non-hypertensive subjects (aHR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.43 to 1.86) compared to hypertensive subjects (aHR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.26; P for interaction <0.001). Conclusion Adults with ID have an increased risk of developing DM, highlighting the need for targeted public health strategies to promote DM prevention in this population.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop an approach to alleviate the discomfort caused by sandbag compression after a bone marrow examination. This research examined the effects of applying a pressure hemostasis band on bleeding, pain, and discomfort at the bone marrow examination site. Methods: This study was conducted with a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. For 74 patients under evaluation who underwent bone marrow examination, sandbag compression was applied to the examination site in the control group (n=37), and a pressure hemostasis band was applied to the intervention group (n=37). In both groups, absolute bed rest was performed for two hours, and bleeding, pain, and discomfort at the examination site were measured. Results: After two hours of the bone marrow examination, there was no difference in bleeding on the gauze between the two groups (F=0.59, p=.444). Bleeding occurred in three patients in the intervention group and six in the control group (χ 2 =1.14, p=.479), with no cases of hematoma detected in either group. One hour post-examination, the control group experienced significantly higher pain (F=5.45, p=.022) and discomfort (F=5.68, p=.020) than the intervention group. However, pain and discomfort levels were similar between groups after two hours. Conclusion Compared to the sandbag compression group, the band application group showed no difference in bleeding and experienced less pain and discomfort at the examination site. This confirms that the pressure hemostasis band is a suitable alternative to sandbag compression in post-examination care.

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) particles, a multi-protein apparatus composed of complex A and B, are known to be involved in homeostasis of flagella formation. IFT particles have recently become an interesting topic in Giardia lamblia, which has 4 pairs of flagella. In this experiment, we examined the function of giardial IFT components. When 7 components (IFT121, 140, 20, 46, 52, 81, and 88) of IFT were expressed in Giardia trophozoites as a tagged form with mNeonGreen, all of them were found in both flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. In addition, motor proteins for IFT particles (kinesin-13 and kinesin-2b), were localized to a median body and cytoplasmic flagella, respectively. The CRISPRi-mediated knockdown of IFT88 significantly affected the lengths of all 4 flagella compared to the control cells, Giardia expressing dead Cas9 using control guide RNA. Decreased expression of kinesin-2b also resulted in shortening of flagella, excluding the ventral flagella. Live Giardia cells expressing IFT88-mNeonGreen clearly demonstrated fluorescence in flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. These results on IFT88 and kinesin-2b indicate that IFT complex plays a role in maintenance of G. lamblia flagella.

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) particles, a multi-protein apparatus composed of complex A and B, are known to be involved in homeostasis of flagella formation. IFT particles have recently become an interesting topic in Giardia lamblia, which has 4 pairs of flagella. In this experiment, we examined the function of giardial IFT components. When 7 components (IFT121, 140, 20, 46, 52, 81, and 88) of IFT were expressed in Giardia trophozoites as a tagged form with mNeonGreen, all of them were found in both flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. In addition, motor proteins for IFT particles (kinesin-13 and kinesin-2b), were localized to a median body and cytoplasmic flagella, respectively. The CRISPRi-mediated knockdown of IFT88 significantly affected the lengths of all 4 flagella compared to the control cells, Giardia expressing dead Cas9 using control guide RNA. Decreased expression of kinesin-2b also resulted in shortening of flagella, excluding the ventral flagella. Live Giardia cells expressing IFT88-mNeonGreen clearly demonstrated fluorescence in flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. These results on IFT88 and kinesin-2b indicate that IFT complex plays a role in maintenance of G. lamblia flagella.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality after liver transplantation (LT). Although the impact of secondary tricuspid regurgitation (TR) with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) is well investigated, the impact of primary TR with tricuspid valve incompetence (TVI) on LT outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and impact of primary TR with TVI on LT outcomes in a large-volume LT center. Methods: We retrospectively examined 5 512 consecutive LT recipients who underwent routine pretransplant echocardiography between 2008 and 2020. Patients were categorized based on the presence of anatomical TVI, specifically defined by incomplete coaptation, coaptation failure, prolapse, and flail leaflets of tricuspid valve (TV). Propensity score (PS)-based inverse probability weighting (IPW) was used to balance clinical and cardiovascular risk variables. The outcomes were one-year cumulative all-cause mortality and 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Results: Anatomical TVI was identified in 14 patients (0.3%). Although rare, these patients exhibited significantly lower post-LT one-year survival rates (64.3% vs. 91.5%, P < 0.001) and higher 30-day MACE rates (42.9% vs. 16.9%, P = 0.026) than patients without TVI. They also had worse survival irrespective of echocardiographic evidence of PH (P < 0.001) and exhibited higher one-year mortality (IPW-adjusted hazard ratio: 4.09, P = 0.002) and increased 30-day MACE rates (IPW-adjusted odds ratio: 1.24, P = 0.048). Conclusions Primary TR with anatomical TVI was associated with significantly reduced one-year survival and increased post-LT MACE rates. These patients should be prioritized similarly to those with secondary TR with severe PH, with appropriate pretransplant evaluations and treatments to improve survival outcomes.

Purpose: With the accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, the integration of AI education into medical school curricula is gaining significant attention. This study aimed to gather the perceptions of faculty members and students regarding the integration of AI education into medical curricula in the Korean context. Methods: Faculty members and medical students’ perspectives on integrating AI into medical curricula were assessed through thematic analysis of free-written responses from 157 faculty members and 125 students in a national online survey on medical AI competencies in South Korea. Results: Three key themes emerged: content, which prioritizes basic knowledge and its practical applications, with an emphasis on ethical and legal responsibilities; curricular design, which advocates for a spiral curriculum tailored to learners' needs; and concerns, which highlight balancing AI integration with the principal goals of medical education while critically evaluating ongoing advancements. Conclusion Our study adds valuable insights into the content and methods to prioritize AI education. Given the rapid evolution of medical learners and AI technologies, continuous and timely needs assessment for AI curriculum development is crucial to maintain relevance and effectiveness.

Background: Intellectual disability (ID) may be associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, evidence from longitudinal studies is scarce, particularly in Asian populations. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used representative linked data from the Korea National Disability Registration System and the National Health Insurance Service database. Adults (≥20 years) who received a national health examination in 2009 (3,385 individuals with ID and 3,463,604 individuals without ID) were included and followed until 2020. ID was identified using legal registration information. Incident DM was defined by prescription records with relevant diagnostic codes. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for DM risks in individuals with ID compared to those without ID. Results: Over a mean follow-up of 9.8 years, incident DM occurred in 302 (8.9%) individuals with ID and 299,156 (8.4%) individuals without ID. Having ID was associated with increased DM risk (aHR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.55). Sensitivity analysis confirmed a higher DM risk in individuals with ID (aHR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.24 to 1.56) than those with other disabilities (aHR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.13) or no disability (reference). Stratified analysis showed higher DM risk in non-hypertensive subjects (aHR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.43 to 1.86) compared to hypertensive subjects (aHR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.26; P for interaction <0.001). Conclusion Adults with ID have an increased risk of developing DM, highlighting the need for targeted public health strategies to promote DM prevention in this population.