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All-solid-state batteries using Si as the anode have shown promising performance without continual solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) growth. However, the first cycle irreversible capacity loss yields low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of Si, limiting the energy density. To address this, we adopt a prelithiation strategy to increase ICE and conductivity of all-solid-state Si cells. A significant increase in ICE is observed for Li 1 Si anode paired with a lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) cathode. Additionally, a comparison with lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NCM) reveals that performance improvements with Si prelithiation is only applicable for full cells dominated by high anode irreversibility. With this prelithiation strategy, 15% improvement in capacity retention is achieved after 1000 cycles compared to a pure Si. With Li 1 Si, a high areal capacity of up to 10 mAh cm –2 is attained using a dry-processed LCO cathode film, suggesting that the prelithiation method may be suitable for high-loading next-generation all-solid-state batteries. All-solid-state batteries with silicon anodes have high capacities but low initial coulombic efficiencies (ICEs) because of first cycle irreversible capacity loss. Here, the authors report a prelithiation strategy to improve ICEs and reversibility.

The virus behind the current pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the etiology of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and poses a critical public health threat worldwide. Effective therapeutics and vaccines against multiple coronaviruses remain unavailable. Single-chain variable fragment (scFv), a recombinant antibody, exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral activity against DNA and RNA viruses owing to its nucleic acid-hydrolyzing property. The antiviral activity of 3D8 scFv against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses was evaluated in Vero E6 cell cultures. Viral growth was quantified with quantitative RT-qPCR and plaque assay. The nucleic acid-hydrolyzing activity of 3D8 was assessed through abzyme assays of in vitro viral transcripts and cell viability was determined by MTT assay. We found that 3D8 inhibited the replication of SARS-CoV-2, human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43), and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Our results revealed the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of 3D8 scFv against SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 cells. Immunoblot and plaque assays showed the reduction of coronavirus nucleoproteins and infectious particles, respectively, in 3D8 scFv-treated cells. These data demonstrate the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of 3D8 against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses. Thus, it could be considered a potential antiviral countermeasure against SARS-CoV-2 and zoonotic coronaviruses.

Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is a well-known predictor of adverse outcomes in the ischemic heart disease patients; however, evidence is lacking in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). Data from 407 patients who underwent OPCAB between April 2013 and August 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. A composite of cardiovascular morbidity endpoints was defined as the presence of stroke, acute myocardial infarction, new cardiac arrhythmia (newly developed atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or atrioventricular block), cardiovascular death, or cerebrovascular death within 30 days after surgery. Increased carotid IMT was defined as ≥0.9 mm on one or both sides. The incidence of a composite of cardiovascular morbidity endpoints was 24.0% in the normal IMT group (n = 221) and 34.4% in the increased IMT group (n = 186) ( p =  0.021). Multivariable analysis revealed increased IMT (odds ratio 1.719, 95% confidence interval 1.108 to 2.666, p = 0.016) and preoperative renal replacement therapy (odds ratio 4.264, 95% confidence interval 1.679 to 10.829, p = 0.002) as independent predictors of a composite of cardiovascular morbidity endpoints. In patients undergoing OPCAB, preoperative assessment of carotid IMT may help predicting the development of a postoperative composite of cardiovascular morbidity endpoints.

Background/Aims This study aimed to investigate whether a real-time artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted polyp detection system can improve adenoma detection rates (ADRs) in real-world colonoscopy practice. Methods This single-center, retrospective, propensity score-matched study collected data from consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy—either AI-assisted or standard colonoscopy— between March 2023 and February 2024. Propensity score matching was conducted to adjust for baseline characteristics across the groups. Results During the study period, 1,085 patients who underwent colonoscopy were eligible for inclusion. After propensity score matching, 474 patients who underwent AI-assisted colonoscopy and 474 who underwent standard colonoscopy were included in the primary analysis. The ADR was significantly higher in the AI-assisted colonoscopy group than in the standard colonoscopy group (35.9% vs. 26.4%; p  = 0.002). Additionally, the number of adenomas detected per colonoscopy was significantly higher in the AI-assisted group than in the standard group (0.69 ± 1.22 vs. 0.43 ± 0.91; p  < 0.001). However, the detection rates of advanced adenomas and sessile serrated lesions did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion AI-assisted colonoscopy significantly improves ADRs in real-world colonoscopy practice.

Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels are related to high-turnover bone disease and reflect vascular calcification and inflammation. ALP has been reported to have a prognostic impact in various cohorts including chronic kidney disease. This study investigated whether preoperative serum ALP level could be used for predicting mortality in patients undergoing kidney transplantation. We retrospectively reviewed 1,718 patients who underwent kidney transplantation between November 2005 and June 2017. Finally, 1,533 patients who met the inclusion criteria were classified into tertiles based on preoperative serum ALP level (< 51, 51-72, > 72 IU/L). The incidence of mortality was compared among the three tertiles, and a stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the predictors for mortality. The incidence of 3-year mortality was the highest in the third tertile (1.0% vs. 2.5% vs. 4.4% in the first, second, and third tertile, respectively, p = 0.003). The third tertile of ALP level (odds ratio [OR] 1.855, 95% CI 1.192-2.886, p = 0.006), age (OR 1.052, 95% CI 1.022-1.082, p = 0.011), and history of hypertension (OR 0.401, 95% CI 0.210-0.765, p = 0.006) remained as independent predictors of mortality. Preoperative serum ALP level was significantly higher in the non-survivor group than in the survivor group (58.00 [44.00-76.00] vs. 75.00 [56.25-113.00], p = 0.003). The optimal cut-off value of serum ALP to predict 3-year mortality was 71 IU/L (area under the curve 0.636, 95% CI 0.554-0.719, p = 0.003). Therefore, preoperative serum ALP level was an independent predictor of 3-year mortality in patients undergoing kidney transplantation.

Several studies have reported that the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) are associated with poor prognosis. This study investigated whether NLR and/or the MPV/platelet ratio could function as predictive markers of mortality in critically ill patients. We retrospectively reviewed 1,154 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) between January 2017 and December 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to 1-year mortality. We compared the NLR and MPV/platelet ratio on each day of ICU admission. Patients were classified into tertiles based on their NLR and MPV/platelet ratios, and the incidence of 1-year mortality was compared. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were plotted to evaluate their potential as prognostic factors for 1-year mortality. The NLR and MPV/platelet ratio were higher in the non-survivor group than in the survivor group. The incidence of 1-year mortality was the highest in the third tertile for both the NLR and MPV/platelet ratio. The MPV/platelet ratio was an independent predictor for 1-year mortality based on the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Our data showed that the MPV/platelet ratio is a predictive factor for 1-year mortality in critically ill patients.

Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels are related to high-turnover bone disease and reflect vascular calcification and inflammation. ALP has been reported to have a prognostic impact in various cohorts including chronic kidney disease. This study investigated whether preoperative serum ALP level could be used for predicting mortality in patients undergoing kidney transplantation. We retrospectively reviewed 1,718 patients who underwent kidney transplantation between November 2005 and June 2017. Finally, 1,533 patients who met the inclusion criteria were classified into tertiles based on preoperative serum ALP level (< 51, 51–72, > 72 IU/L). The incidence of mortality was compared among the three tertiles, and a stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the predictors for mortality. The incidence of 3-year mortality was the highest in the third tertile (1.0% vs. 2.5% vs. 4.4% in the first, second, and third tertile, respectively, p = 0.003). The third tertile of ALP level (odds ratio [OR] 1.855, 95% CI 1.192–2.886, p = 0.006), age (OR 1.052, 95% CI 1.022–1.082, p = 0.011), and history of hypertension (OR 0.401, 95% CI 0.210–0.765, p = 0.006) remained as independent predictors of mortality. Preoperative serum ALP level was significantly higher in the non-survivor group than in the survivor group (58.00 [44.00–76.00] vs. 75.00 [56.25–113.00], p = 0.003). The optimal cut-off value of serum ALP to predict 3-year mortality was 71 IU/L (area under the curve 0.636, 95% CI 0.554–0.719, p = 0.003). Therefore, preoperative serum ALP level was an independent predictor of 3-year mortality in patients undergoing kidney transplantation.

Background and Objectives: Deep seawater has been shown to restore pancreatic function in obese diabetic mice and considerably improve the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in patients with impaired fasting glucose or glucose tolerance. In this study, the effect of 12-week daily consumption of magnesium (Mg2+)-containing deep seawater mineral extracts on blood glucose concentration and insulin metabolism-associated indicators was investigated in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Materials and methods: In this 12-week randomized, double-blind trial, patients (n = 37) with impaired glucose tolerance consumed deep seawater mineral extracts. Changes in blood glucose concentration and related indicators were compared between the treatment group and placebo group (n = 38). Results: The fasting insulin, C-peptide, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, homeostatic model assessment of beta-cell function, and Stumvoll insulin sensitivity index values in the deep seawater mineral extract group showed improvements compared with the placebo group. However, no significant differences between groups were observed in fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, or incremental area under the curve values. Conclusions: Oral supplementation with deep seawater mineral extracts enriched in Mg2+ markedly improves insulin sensitivity in patients with pre-diabetes. This study illustrates the potential clinical application of natural Mg2+ from deep seawater to alleviate insulin resistance in patients with pre-diabetes. Trial registration: This trial was retrospectively registered with Clinical Research information Service (CRIS), No. KCT0008695, on 8 August 2023.

Early and accurate detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical to prevent spread of the infection. Understanding of the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is insufficient, particularly in relation to those whose responses persist for more than 1 month after the onset of symptoms. We conducted a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test to identify factors affecting the serological response and to evaluate its diagnostic utility in patients with COVID-19. We collected 1,048 residual serum samples from 396 patients with COVID-19 confirmed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2. The samples had been used for routine admission tests in six healthcare institutions in Daegu. Antibody to SARS-CoV-2 was analyzed and the cutoff index (COI) was calculated for quantitative analysis. The patients' information was reviewed to evaluate the relationship between antibody positivity and clinical characteristics. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity rate was 85% and the average COI was 24·3. The positivity rate and COI increased with time elapsed since symptom onset. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody persisted for at least 13 weeks after symptom onset at a high COI. There was a significant difference in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity rate between patients with and without symptoms, but not according to sex or disease course. The descending COI pattern at weeks 1 to 5 after symptom onset was significantly more frequent in patients who died than in those who recovered. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody persisted for at least 13 weeks at a high COI in patients with COVID-19. A decreasing COI pattern up to fifth week may be associated with a poor prognosis of COVID-19. As new treatments and vaccines are introduced, it is important to monitor continuously the usefulness of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays.

Description of simple bone cyst (SBC) content has been controversial. This study aimed to assess and give a clearer picture of the SBC cavity contents. Between 2014 and 2016, 19 patients with SBC verified by histopathological examination were included in this study. SBC cavity content was investigated using clinical, radiographic, surgical, and laboratory findings. The difference in components among cavity fluid, blood, and serum was evaluated using a paired sample t-test for statistical analysis. All 19 SBC cases radiographically and surgically revealed a fluid-filled cavity. The patients’ average age was 21.3 ± 13.2 years, with no sex predominance found. SBCs were found mostly in the anterior mandible (n = 12, 63.2%). All lesions were filled with clear straw-colored or blood-colored floods with low concentration. Although the fluid components were similar to those in the blood and serum in the laboratory analysis, the statistical analysis revealed that the fluid components were not significantly different only for eosinophil (p = 0.43) and basophil (p = 0.06) counts as blood components and sodium (p = 0.76), potassium (p = 0.08), and chloride (p = 0.13) concentration as serum components. The results show that SBC is a fluid-filled cavity, with the cavity fluid being more likely similar to serum rather than blood regarding internal components.