Artificial intelligence- and computer-assisted navigation for shoulder surgery.

Background: Over the last few decades, shoulder surgery has undergone rapid advancements, with ongoing exploration and the development of innovative technological approaches. In the coming years, technologies such as robot-assisted surgeries, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, patient-specific instrumentation, and different innovative perioperative and preoperative planning tools will continue to fuel a revolution in the medical field, thereby pushing it toward new frontiers and unprecedented advancements. In relation to this, shoulder surgery will experience significant breakthroughs. Main body: Recent advancements and technological innovations in the field were comprehensively analyzed. We aimed to provide a detailed overview of the current landscape, emphasizing the roles of technologies. Computer-assisted surgery utilizing robotic- or image-guided technologies is widely adopted in various orthopedic specialties. The most advanced components of computer-assisted surgery are navigation and robotic systems, with functions and applications that are continuously expanding. Surgical navigation requires a visual system that presents real-time positional data on surgical instruments or implants in relation to the target bone, displayed on a computer monitor. There are three primary categories of surgical planning that utilize navigation systems. The initial category involves volumetric images, such as ultrasound echogram, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance images. The second type is based on intraoperative fluoroscopic images, and the third type incorporates kinetic information about joints or morphometric data about the target bones acquired intraoperatively. Conclusion: The rapid integration of artificial intelligence and deep learning into the medical domain has a significant and transformative influence. Numerous studies utilizing deep learning-based diagnostics in orthopedics have remarkable achievements and performance.

Molecular identification of archaic bones as a native Korean black bear: implications for the ongoing bear restoration program.

The genetic investigation of the archeological or museum samples, including endangered species, provides vital information necessary to plan, implement, and revisit conservation strategies. In South Korea, the Asian black bear went almost extinct in wild by 2002, without leaving any authentic specimens representing the native population. Recently researchers found a set of animal bones in a natural cave in Mt. Taebaek (South Korea), suspected to be of a bear. In the present study, we undertook a molecular investigation and radiocarbon dating to establish the species' identity, phylogenetic position, and approximate age of the recovered specimen. The genetic investigation (CytB, COI, D-loop, SRY, and ZFX-ZFY) identified the sample as a male Asian black bear with close phylogenetic affinity with Northeast Asian bears. Radiocarbon dating estimated the bones to be aged 1800-1942 calAD. These findings indicate that the bone specimens found in the natural cave in Mt. Taebaek were from an individual that naturally inhabited South Korea long before the importing of farm bears (the 1980s) and initiation of wild population restoration (2004). The present study provides the first genetic information record of the native South Korean black bear. Our findings reaffirm the appropriateness of the ongoing bear restoration program in South Korea, with the reintroduction of individuals from North Korea and Russia.

The first possible choristoderan trackway from the Lower Cretaceous Daegu Formation of South Korea and its implications on choristoderan locomotion.

Here we report a new quadrupedal trackway found in the Lower Cretaceous Daegu Formation (Albian) in the vicinity of Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea, in 2018. A total of nine manus-pes imprints show a strong heteropodous quadrupedal trackway (length ratio is 1:3.36). Both manus and pes tracks are pentadactyl with claw marks. The manus prints rotate distinctly outward while the pes prints are nearly parallel to the direction of travel. The functional axis in manus and pes imprints suggests that the trackmaker moved along the medial side during the stroke progressions (entaxonic), indicating weight support on the inner side of the limbs. There is an indication of webbing between the pedal digits. These new tracks are assigned to Novapes ulsanensis, n. ichnogen., n. ichnosp., which are well-matched not only with foot skeletons and body size of Monjurosuchus but also the fossil record of choristoderes in East Asia, thereby N. ulsanensis could be made by a monjurosuchid-like choristoderan and represent the first possible choristoderan trackway from Asia. N. ulsanensis also suggests that semi-aquatic choristoderans were capable of walking semi-erect when moving on the ground with a similar locomotion pattern to that of crocodilians on land.

A-to-I RNA editing as a tuner of noncoding RNAs in cancer.

Recent advancement in RNA technology and computation biology shows the abundance and impact of RNA editing at the genome-wide level. Of RNA editing events, Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing is one of the most frequent types of RNA editing catalyzed by ADAR proteins. Indeed, A-to-I RNA editing occurs at the various coding and noncoding regions, triggering abnormal signaling pathways involved in cancer pathogenesis. Noncoding RNAs such as microRNA and long noncoding RNA have emerged as key regulators of pathways in cancer. The RNA editing including A-to-I editing is enriched in noncoding regions because of the abundance of noncoding RNAs accounting for 99% of total transcripts in the human genome. The effects of A-to-I editing in coding genes have been investigated and reported. However, those in noncoding RNAs have been less known in spite of the high frequency of editing events in noncoding regions. In this review, we will briefly discuss current findings and potential directions of A-to-I RNA editing research of noncoding RNAs and cancer. We will also introduce the concept of A-to-I editing, ADAR proteins, RNA editing technologies and databases.

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Enhances Memory Acquisition and Is Associated with Synaptoneurosome Modification in the Rat Hippocampus.

Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation approach previously shown to enhance memory acquisition, but more studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Here, we examined the effects of anodal tDCS (0.25 mA for 30 min) on the memory performance of male Sprague Dawley rats in the passive avoidance test (PAT) and the associated modifications to the hippocampal proteomes. Results indicate anodal tDCS applied before the acquisition period significantly enhanced memory performance in the PAT. Following PAT, synaptoneurosomes were biochemically purified from the hippocampi of tDCS-treated or sham-treated rats and individual protein abundances were determined by bottom-up liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. Proteomic analysis identified 184 differentially expressed hippocampal proteins when comparing the sham to the tDCS before memory acquisition treatment group. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) showed anodal tDCS before memory acquisition significantly enhanced pathways associated with memory, cognition, learning, transmission, neuritogenesis, and long-term potentiation (LTP). IPA identified significant upstream regulators including bdnf, shank3, and gsk3b Protein-protein interaction (PPI) and protein sequence similarity (PSS) networks show that glutamate receptor pathways, ion channel activity, memory, learning, cognition, and long-term memory were significantly associated with anodal tDCS. Centrality measures from both networks identified key proteins including dlg, shank, grin, and gria that were significantly modified by tDCS applied before the acquisition period. Together, our results provide descriptive molecular evidence that anodal tDCS enhances memory performance in the PAT by modifying hippocampal synaptic plasticity related proteins.

Effects of Bilateral Infraorbital and Infratrochlear Nerve Block on Emergence Agitation after Septorhinoplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Emergence agitation is common after septorhinoplasty, and postoperative pain is the main risk factor for this condition. Infraorbital and infratrochlear nerve block have been reported to facilitate pain management in patients after nasal procedures. The effect of peripheral nerve block on the incidence of emergence agitation has not been evaluated. Sixty-six patients that were scheduled for septorhinoplasty were assigned to receive bilateral infraorbital and infratrochlear nerve block with either 8 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine (Block group) or isotonic saline (Sham Block group). The incidence of emergence agitation was evaluated using the Riker sedation-agitation scale. Analgesic consumption, hemodynamic parameters, postoperative pain scores, adverse events, and patient satisfaction with analgesia were evaluated. The incidence of emergence agitation was lower in the Block group than in the Sham Block group (6 (20.0%) versus 20 (62.5%), p = 0.002). The mean intraoperative remifentanil consumption was lower in the Block group than in the Sham Block group (0.074 ± 0.014 µg/kg/min. versus 0.093 ± 0.019 µg/kg/min., respectively, p < 0.0001), as was the proportion of patients that needed postoperative tramadol administration and median postoperative pain score at 0-2 h after surgery (9 (30.0%) versus 21 (65.6%), p = 0.011; 3.0 (2.0-4.0) versus 4.0 (3.0-4.0), p < 0.0001, respectively). Hemodynamic parameters and the incidence of adverse events were similar between the two groups. The median patient satisfaction score with respect to analgesia was higher in the Block group than in the Sham Block group (3.5 (3.0-4.0) versus 3.0 (3.0-4.0), respectively, p = 0.034). The preoperative bilateral infraorbital and infratrochlear nerve block decreased the incidence of emergence agitation after septorhinoplasty.

Transcriptomic Modification in the Cerebral Cortex following Noninvasive Brain Stimulation: RNA-Sequencing Approach.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to modulate neuroplasticity. Beneficial effects are observed in patients with psychiatric disorders and enhancement of brain performance in healthy individuals has been observed following tDCS. However, few studies have attempted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of tDCS in the brain. This study was conducted to assess the impact of tDCS on gene expression within the rat cerebral cortex. Anodal tDCS was applied at 3 different intensities followed by RNA-sequencing and analysis. In each current intensity, approximately 1,000 genes demonstrated statistically significant differences compared to the sham group. A variety of functional pathways, biological processes, and molecular categories were found to be modified by tDCS. The impact of tDCS on gene expression was dependent on current intensity. Results show that inflammatory pathways, antidepressant-related pathways (GTP signaling, calcium ion binding, and transmembrane/signal peptide pathways), and receptor signaling pathways (serotonergic, adrenergic, GABAergic, dopaminergic, and glutamate) were most affected. Of the gene expression profiles induced by tDCS, some changes were observed across multiple current intensities while other changes were unique to a single stimulation intensity. This study demonstrates that tDCS can modify the expression profile of various genes in the cerebral cortex and that these tDCS-induced alterations are dependent on the current intensity applied.

Molecular mechanisms of repeated social defeat-induced glucocorticoid resistance: Role of microRNA.

Glucocorticoid (GC) resistance is a severe problem associated with various inflammatory diseases. Previous studies have shown that repeated social stress induces GC resistance in innate immune cells, but the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine potential underlying molecular mechanism(s) of repeated social defeat (RSD) stress on GC resistance in splenic macrophages. It was hypothesized that mRNA expression of receptors for GC and nuclear translocating-associated regulators in splenic macrophages would be affected by RSD, and that these changes would be associated with epigenetic modification. The data showed that the mRNA expression of GC and mineralocorticoid receptors were significantly decreased in splenic macrophages by RSD. RSD also induced a significantly decreased mRNA expression in FK506-binding protein 52 (FKBP52), consequently resulting in a significantly increased ratio of FKBP51 to FKBP52. Moreover, DNA methyltransferases 3a and 3b showed a significant decrease in their mRNA expression in the RSD group as did mRNA expression of histone deacetyltransferase 2. The RSD group also showed a significantly reduced quantity of methylated DNA in splenic macrophages. Based on microRNA (miRNA) profiling data, it was determined that RSD induced significantly increased expression of 9 different miRNAs that were predicted to interact with mRNAs of the GC receptor (6 miRNAs), mineralocorticoid receptor (3 miRNAs) and FKBP52 (2 miRNAs). Spearman correlation analysis revealed significantly strong correlations between the expression of 2 miRNAs and their target mRNA expression for GC receptors. Among these miRNAs, we verified direct effects of miRNA-29b and -340 overexpression on mRNA expression of GC receptors in L929 cells. The overexpression of miRNA-29b or -340 in L929 cells significantly reduced LPS-induced overexpression of GC receptors. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that epigenetic regulation, such as DNA methylation and miRNA expression, may play a role in the RSD-induced GC resistance that we have observed in splenic macrophages.

Prescription patterns for patients with schizophrenia in Korea: a focus on antipsychotic polypharmacy.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the prescription patterns for Korean patients with schizophrenia with a particular focus on antipsychotic polypharmacy. All data were gathered from patients presenting at 41 tertiary university hospitals and 8 secondary hospitals. METHODS: Data from three multicenter studies conducted in Korea were retrospectively reviewed and integrated to identify patients with schizophrenia who had their antipsychotic medication switched to paliperidone extended-release between 2008 and 2009. The rates for antipsychotic polypharmacy, combined use of different antipsychotic classes with a special focus on atypical antipsychotics, and psychotropic polypharmacy using benzodiazepines, mood stabilizers, and other relevant drugs were identified. RESULTS: Of the 851 Korean patients analyzed in this study, 20.4% (n=173) had been prescribed antipsychotic polypharmacy. Of the 678 patients receiving antipsychotic monotherapy, 6.9% (n=47) were prescribed a typical antipsychotic and 93.1% (n=631) were prescribed an atypical antipsychotic. Of the 173 patients receiving a combination of antipsychotic drugs, only 6.4% (n=11) had been prescribed polypharmacy with typical antipsychotics, while 46.82% (n=81) were prescribed atypical+atypical antipsychotics or typical+atypical antipsychotics. The highest co-prescription rates for other psychotropic drugs in conjunction with antipsychotics included benzodiazepines (30.3%), anticholinergic drugs (28.8%), antidepressants (13.3%), ß-blockers (10.1%), and mood stabilizers (8.7%). CONCLUSION: The present findings demonstrate that the rate of antipsychotic polypharmacy is relatively low in Korea and that Korean clinicians prefer to prescribe atypical, rather than typical, antipsychotic drugs. This suggests that there is a distinct prescription pattern in Korea that is focused on antipsychotic polypharmacy.

The role of adipose tissue-associated macrophages and T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract that affect more than 3 million people worldwide, but the pathological etiology is still unknown. The overall purpose of our investigations was to elucidate the possibility of pathological causes of IBD, and therefore, we determined the difference of inflammatory cytokine profiles in adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) and T lymphocytes (ATTs) obtained near active lesions of IBD; investigated whether the alteration in ATM activation induces genes involved in collagen formation; and evaluated the effects of fatty acid oxidation inhibitors on factors involved in inflammation and collagen production by ATMs in IBD. Adipose tissues (ATs) were collected near active lesions and also at the margin of resected segments of the bowel from IBD patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and CD (n=14/group). Normal appearing ATs from control subjects (n=14) who had colon resection for adenocarcinoma were collected as far away from the cancer lesion as possible to rule out possible changes. Compared with inactive disease lesions, ATMs and ATTs from active lesions released more IL-6, IL-4 and IL-13. Treatments of cytokine IL-4 and/or IL-13 to ATMs reduced iNOS expression but increased Arg-I expression which were exacerbated when treated with T cell- and adipocyte-conditioned medium. However, fatty acid oxidation inhibitors prevented the effects of cytokines IL-4 and/or IL-13 on iNOS and Arg-I expressions. This study was the first to show the effect of IL-4 and IL-13 on collagen formation, through iNOS and Arg-I expressions, that was exacerbated in a condition that mimics in vivo condition of active lesions. Moreover, our study was the first to provide potential benefits of fatty acid oxidation inhibitors to ATMs on preventing collagen formation; thus, providing therapeutic implications for individuals with intestinal fibrosis and stricture lesions, although future study should be guaranteed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

The Influence of Previous Antipsychotic Polypharmacy Versus Monotherapy on the Effectiveness of Antipsychotic after Switching to Paliperidone Extended-release.

OBJECTIVE: Although antipsychotic polypharmacy is widely used in the pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia, its effectiveness is controversial. In particular, clinicians tend to avoid switching to monotherapy in patients who have been prescribed polypharmacy. In the present study, the authors investigate whether there is difference in time to discontinuation of antipsychotics between patients on previous monotherapy or polypharmacy. METHODS: Pooled analysis was conducted on two 24-week, multicenter, open-label, non-comparative studies that were originally designed to investigate the effectiveness of switching to paliperidone extended-release (ER) in patients with schizophrenia. Patients were divided into two groups according to previously prescribed antipsychotics, that is, to a polypharmacy group or a monotherapy group. The primary outcome measure was time to discontinuation of paliperidone ER. In addition, the authors sought to identify clinical variables that influence time to discontinuation. RESULTS: Before switching to paliperidone ER, 535 of 673 (79.5%) patients were prescribed antipsychotic monotherapy, and the remaining 138 (20.5%) patients were prescribed antipsychotic polypharmacy. No significant differences in time to discontinuation of paliperidone ER were observed between the polypharmacy and monotherapy groups. Personal and social performance scale score was the only factor found to influence time to discontinuation of paliperidone ER. No differences in psychopathology or adverse effects were found between the monotherapy and polypharmacy groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that number of antipsychotics prescribed before switching to monotherapy does not influence clinical prognosis in patients with schizophrenia.

Influencing Factors and Predictors of Early Response in Schizophrenia Patients Receiving the Paliperidone Extended-Release Tablets (Paliperidone ER).

OBJECTIVE: Paliperidone extended-release tablet (paliperidone ER) is a new oral psychotropic agent developed for schizophrenia treatment. There have been some studies about paliperidone's good efficacy and tolerability. Clinicians appear to change the antipsychotic medication to paliperidone ER. However, it is not known what patients are favorable responsive to paliperidone ER. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of early responders and investigate predictors of acute response when the medications changed to paliperidone ER. METHODS: Data were analyzed from schizophrenic patients who participated in a multi-center, open-label, non-comparative clinical trial. Total 320 patients were examined in this study. Sociodemographic, psychopathology, social function and metabolic data were evaluated. Unpaired t-test for continuous and χ(2) for categorical data, respectively, were used to compare early responder and non-responders. Logistic regression analysis was used to establish a prediction model. RESULTS: 38.7% of study subjects (124 of 320) responded to paliperidone ER treatment. Logistic regression analysis showed that a good paliperidone ER response was more likely when patients were social drinkers, when patients had started medication at inpatient, when negative symptoms were less severe, and when patients' social relationship and self-care were better. CONCLUSION: Early response to paliperidone ER treatment is associated with less negative symptoms and good social relationships and self-care. Strategies to reduce these symptoms may contribute to early response to paliperidone ER.

The concentrations of serum, plasma and platelet BDNF are all increased by treadmill VO2max performance in healthy college men.

The most current human-based studies in which brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the peripheral blood system are analyzed use it as an indicator that represents BDNF levels in the CNS. However, whether circulating BDNF (serum and plasma) is positively or inversely associated with cardiorespiratory fitness levels (VO(2max)) is still controversial, and no study has done to investigate exercise effects on the concentration of BDNF stored in circulating platelets which, in fact, store a large amount of circulating BDNF. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the relation between VO(2max) and all circulating BDNF levels (serum, plasma and platelets) in college male students (N=18; age, 19 ± 1 years; height, 173.22 ± 7.65 cm; weight, 78.25 ± 14.25 kg; body fat percent, 13.82 ± 5.68%). Dual X-ray energy absorptiometry whole body scan was used to measure their body composition. After the overnight fast, all participants were performed VO(2max) test, and their blood was collected at rest and immediately after the exercise. Our data resulted in significant increases in platelet counts and serum, plasma and platelet BDNF levels immediately after the exercise (p<0.01). VO(2max) had a significant negative correlation with serum BDNF, plasma BDNF and platelet BDNF at rest (p<0.05) but a significant positive correlation with serum, plasma BDNF, and platelet BDNF immediately after the exercise (p<0.01). However, our data show no correlation between VO(2max) and platelet count both at rest and immediately after the exercise. In conclusion, this is the first study showing that basal BDNF levels are inversely correlated with cardiorespiratory fitness levels but that the inverse correlations turn into positive correlations with all circulating BDNF levels immediately after the exercise. Moreover, it is the first time to provide evidence that platelet BDNF levels are also positively affected by the exercise. However, future studies will be needed to investigate what tissues provide BDNF into the circulating system and to elucidate the role of circulating BDNF.

Turning refuse plastic into multi-walled carbon nanotube forest.

A novel and effective method was devised for synthesizing a vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) forest on a substrate using waste plastic obtained from commercially available water bottles. The advantages of the proposed method are the speed of processing and the use of waste as a raw material. A mechanism for the CNT growth was also proposed. The growth rate of the CNT forest was ∼2.5 µm min-1. Transmission electron microscopy images indicated that the outer diameters of the CNTs were 20-30 nm on average. The intensity ratio of the G and D Raman bands was 1.27 for the vertically aligned CNT forest. The Raman spectrum showed that the wall graphitization of the CNTs, synthesized via the proposed method was slightly higher than that of commercially available multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). We expect that the proposed method can be easily adapted to the disposal of other refuse materials and applied to MWCNT production industries.

Spontaneous self-organization enables dielectrophoresis of small nanoparticles and formation of photoconductive microbridges.

Detailed understanding of the mechanism of dielectrophoresis (DEP) and the drastic improvement of its efficiency for small size-quantized nanoparticles (NPs) open the door for the convergence of microscale and nanoscale technologies. It is hindered, however, by the severe reduction of DEP force in particles with volumes below a few hundred cubic nanometers. We report here DEP assembly of size-quantized CdTe nanoparticles (NPs) with a diameter of 4.2 nm under AC voltage of 4-10 V. Calculations of the nominal DEP force for these NPs indicate that it is several orders of magnitude smaller than the force of the Brownian motion destroying the assemblies even for the maximum applied AC voltage. Despite this, very efficient formation of NP bridges between electrodes separated by a gap of 2 µm was observed even for AC voltages of 6 V and highly diluted NP dispersions. The resolution of this conundrum was found in the intrinsic ability of CdTe NPs to self-assemble. The species being assembled by DEP are substantially bigger than the individual NPs. DEP assembly should be treated as a process taking place for NP chains with a length of ~140 nm. The self-assembled chains increase the nominal volume where the polarization of the particles takes place, while retaining the size-quantized nature of the material. The produced NP bridges were found to be photoactive, producing photocurrent upon illumination. DEP bridges of quantum confined NPs can be used in fast parallel manufacturing of novel MEMS components, sensors, and optical and optoelectronic devices. Purposeful engineering of self-assembling properties of NPs makes possible further facilitation of the DEP and increase of complexity of the produced nano- and microscale structures.

Dietary supplementation patterns of Korean olympic athletes participating in the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

Athletes report frequent use of various dietary supplements (DSs). However, no study has examined DS use and antidoping knowledge in Korean Olympians. The objectives of this study were to obtain information about Korean Olympians' DS use during the training period for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games and immediately before their Olympic events, to obtain DS-intake reasons and DS providers, and to obtain information on athletes' doping education, knowledge, and educators. Korean Olympians completed 2 questionnaires 1 wk before the opening and within 1 wk after the closing of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Results showed that 79% of male and 82% of female Olympians take more than 1 DS during the training period and that vitamins and Oriental supplements are the 2 top-ranked DSs. Reasons for DS use were to improve recovery ability (66%) and muscle performance (22%), and sources of obtaining DSs were parents (36%) and coaches (35%). Furthermore, 79% of Korean Olympians reported receiving regular education on antidoping regulations from Olympic-sponsored education classes (64%) and coaches (15%). In conclusion, this study was the first to examine DS use and antidoping-related information in Korean Olympians. Because some herbal products contain substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, athletes should be cautious in using mixed Oriental supplements.

Factors affecting treatment discontinuation and treatment outcome in patients with schizophrenia in Korea: 10-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: There have been few long-term studies that have assessed factors influencing treatment discontinuation and long-term outcome of schizophrenia in Korea. The present study aimed to evaluate factors affecting treatment discontinuation and treatment outcome, after 10 years, in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Among hospitalized patients between 1997 and 1999, 191 patients were given continuous follow-up service. We examined the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients who remained in treatment. Regression analyses were used to find any clinical factors affecting treatment discontinuation. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-three patients (71.12%) discontinued the treatment. The treatment retention group contained more female patients, paranoid-type patients, patients who had shown self-harming behavior, patients receiving clozapine, and patients with good medication compliance. The recovery rate was 25%. However, 42.3% did not have gainful employment. Further, most patients couldn't live independently. CONCLUSION: The results show the importance of gender, patient behavior, medication, and medication compliance in predicting treatment discontinuation in patients with schizophrenia.

Improvement of SWCNT transparent conductive films via transition metal doping.

To realize transparent conductive films based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), we applied a spray coating process with transition metal doping to SWCNT networks. Schottky contacts between metallic and semiconducting SWCNTs changed to Ohmic contacts due to the reduction of metals on the SWCNT surfaces via direct conversion from solution.

Independent and joint associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle fitness with metabolic syndrome in Korean men.

BACKGROUND: Higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscle fitness (MF) attenuate metabolic syndrome prevalence in men. However, associations of CRF and MF with metabolic syndrome were poorly understood in South Korean men. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the independent and joint associations of CRF and MF on metabolic syndrome prevalence in Korean men. METHODS: Korean men (n=1,097, mean age=44 years) were recruited from the central areas of South Korea for this Preventive Health Study (PHS) between May, 2007, and October, 2008, and they underwent a health examination, maximal treadmill test, and five different muscle fitness tests for this study. RESULTS: From our data, separate age- and current smoking-adjusted logistic regression models revealed a graded inverse association of metabolic syndrome prevalence with CRF (P<0.0001) and MF (P<0.0001). The association of MF with metabolic syndrome remained significant and became attenuated with further adjustment, for CRF (P=0.02). However, the association of CRF with metabolic syndrome remained unchanged when adjusted for MF (P<0.0001). In the joint analysis using the low-strength and CRF unfit group as the baseline, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for having metabolic syndrome were 0.52 (0.26-1.05) for the high-strength and CRF unfit group, 0.39 (0.24-0.65) for the low-strength and CRF fit group, and 0.28 (0.17-0.46) for the high-strength and CRF fit group. CONCLUSIONS: Both cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle fitness showed independent and joint inverse associations with metabolic syndrome prevalence in Korean adult men.