Korea Research Council for Industrial Science and Technology

Visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin (vaspin) has been regarded as a novel adipokine with potential insulin sensitizing properties. We investigated the changes of serum vaspin concentration in response to weight reduction, and the associations between changes in serum vaspin concentrations and changes of anthropometric and metabolic variables in obese subjects after weight reduction. We performed a longitudinal clinical intervention study on 63 obese persons enrolled in a 12-week weight reduction program that included lifestyle modification and adjuvant treatment with the antiobesity agent orlistat. Anthropometric variables, lipid profiles, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and serum vaspin concentrations were measured. Statistical analyses were performed according to the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA(IR)). Serum vaspin concentrations decreased significantly in responders (≥2% reduction in baseline weight), but not in nonresponders (<2% reduction in baseline weight). Changes in serum vaspin concentrations were significantly correlated with body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference in the higher, but not in the lower, HOMA(IR) group. In multivariate linear regression analysis, change in serum vaspin concentrations in the higher, but not in the lower, HOMA(IR) group was positively correlated with change in BMI and negatively correlated with initial HOMA(IR) level. The associations between changes in serum vaspin concentrations and changes in anthropometric and metabolic parameters differed according to insulin resistance status in obese subjects. These relationships were more prominent in the higher HOMA(IR) group. Insulin resistance may influence the correlations between changes in serum vaspin concentration and related metabolic variables.

The assessment of the biological activity of capsaicin, the compound responsible for the spicy flavor of chili pepper, produced controversial results, showing either carcinogenicity or cancer prevention. The innate immune system plays a pivotal role in cancer pathology and prevention; yet, the effect of capsaicin on natural killer (NK) cells, which function in cancer surveillance, is unclear. This study found that capsaicin inhibited NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and cytokine production (interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α). Capsaicin impaired the cytotoxicity of NK cells, thereby inhibiting lysis of standard target cells and gastric cancer cells by modulating calcium mobilization in NK cells. Capsaicin also induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells, but that effect required higher concentrations and longer exposure times than those required to trigger NK cell dysfunction. Furthermore, capsaicin inhibited the cytotoxicity of isolated NK cells and of an NK cell line, suggesting a direct effect on NK cells. Antagonists of transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1), a cognate capsaicin receptor, or deficiency in TRPV1 expression failed to prevent the defects induced by capsaicin in NK cells expressing functional TRPV1. Thus, the mechanism of action of capsaicin on NK cells is largely independent of TRPV1. Taken together, capsaicin may have chemotherapeutic potential but may impair NK cell function, which plays a central role in tumor surveillance.

Endoscopic imaging allows longitudinal observation of epithelial pathologies in tubular organs throughout the body. However, the imaging and optical diagnosis of tubular biostructures such as small animal models and small pediatric organs require appropriately miniaturized devices. A miniaturized catadioptric flexible side-view endoscope is proposed with omnidirectional field of view (FOV) in the transverse direction and sub-mm-scale feature resolution. The FOV in the longitudinal direction is 50°. Images are unwrapped and stitched together to form composite images of the target by two different algorithms, revealing a composite FOV of more than 3.5 cm × 360°. The endoscope is well suited for minimally invasive rapid monitoring of thin tubular organs in pediatric patients, as well as for imaging of small animal disease models at near-cellular resolution.

Although cognitive training has been proposed as a possible therapeutic modality for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), most serious games focus on specific tasks. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of narrative video game-based cognitive intervention for MCI. A four-week (± 1-week) mobile game intervention was given to 17 MCI participants (mean age (SD) = 72.8(4.75)). At baseline and post-intervention, the participants received neuropsychological tests and a depression scale. Frontal function was assessed using the Corsi block-tapping test, Color Word Stroop Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Digit Symbol Coding, and Trail Making Test-Elderly's Version; depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale. User's compliance and gaming experience were also evaluated. MCI patients showed significant improvements in frontal function, particularly in Digit Symbol Coding (mean ± SD, 0.47 ± 0.49, p = 0.007) and phonemic fluency (mean ± SD, 0.39 ± 0.55, p = 0.024). Each frontal subtest's mean z-score was increased (mean ± SD, 0.44 ± 0.38, p = 0.008). Block span and depression scale remained unchanged. High adherence rates (122.35%) and favorable feedback on the gaming experience indicated that the game intervention's usability boosted patients' motivation and engagement. Our findings demonstrate that narrative game-based cognitive intervention was not only beneficial but also enjoyable for elderly MCI.

To enhance thrombolysis eligibility in acute ischemic stroke, we developed a deep learning model to estimate stroke onset within 4.5 h using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images. Given the variability in human interpretation, our multimodal Res-U-Net (mRUNet) model integrates a modified U-Net and ResNet-34 to classify stroke onset as < 4.5 or ≥ 4.5 h. Using DWI and FLAIR images from patients scanned within 24 h of symptom onset, the modified U-Net generated a DWI-FLAIR mismatch image, while ResNet-34 performed the final classification. mRUNet was evaluated against ResNet-34 and DenseNet-121 on an internal test set (n = 123) and two external test sets: a single-center (n = 468) and a multi-center (n = 1151). mRUNet achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) of 0.903 on the internal set and 0.910 and 0.868 on external sets, significantly outperforming ResNet-34 and DenseNet-121. Our mRUNet model demonstrated robust and consistent classification of the 4.5-h onset-time window across datasets. By leveraging DWI and FLAIR images as a tissue clock, this model may support timely and individualized thrombolysis in patients with unclear stroke onset, such as those with wake-up stroke, in clinical settings.

Impacts of Ozone (O3) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Environmental Pollutants on Crops: A Transcriptomics Update

Background In South Korea, access to mental health services remains limited due to stigma, cost, and self-reliance. While digital interventions can help reduce these barriers, few are designed to address the underlying cognitive-emotional patterns that perpetuate psychological distress. Objective This study evaluated the effectiveness of a schema-informed digital intervention (Mindling) aimed at reducing distress and enhancing coping in adults experiencing schema-linked difficulties such as perfectionism (unrelenting standards schema), low self-worth (self-sacrifice schema), social withdrawal (social isolation and alienation schema), and anxiety (negativity and dependence schemas). Methods A total of 300 adults (aged 18-60 years) with elevated perceived stress and one dominant distress pattern were recruited on the web and randomized to an intervention group (n=201) or waitlist control (n=99). Participants were assigned to one of four 10-week web-based program modules tailored to their dominant distress pattern: perfectionism (Riggy), low self-worth and fear of rejection (Pleaser), social withdrawal (Shelly), or chronic anxiety (Jumpy). Each module included psychoeducation, guided reflection, and behavioral tasks. Outcomes, including perceived stress, perfectionism, self-esteem, loneliness, and anxiety, were measured at baseline, midintervention (week 5), and postintervention (week 10). Analyses were conducted on 218 participants who completed all 3 assessments (n=138 intervention; n=80 waitlist), using repeated-measures ANOVA or analysis of covariance, as appropriate. In addition, a 1-month follow-up assessment was conducted for the intervention group only to examine maintenance of effects. Results Compared with the waitlist group, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in perceived stress (F2,432=27.52; P&lt;.001; partial η2=0.11) and improvements in pattern-linked outcomes: perfectionism (F2,102=6.24; P=.003; partial η2=0.10); self-esteem (F2,96=11.83; P&lt;.001; partial η2=0.20); loneliness (F2,110=8.26; P&lt;.001; partial η2=0.13); and anxiety (F2,110=10.75; P&lt;.001; partial η2=0.16). Secondary outcomes (eg, depression, trait anxiety, and self-efficacy) also improved across most programs. These effects were maintained at a 1-month follow-up. As supplementary findings, adherence was high among those who accessed the platform, with 70.1% (131/187) completing all 10 sessions. The intervention group was also more likely than the waitlist to seek external mental health services (t216=2.59; P=.01; mean difference=0.45; 95% CI 0.12-0.80). Conclusions The schema-informed digital intervention led to significant (P&lt;.05) short-term improvements in distress and associated psychological patterns, with high completion rates and increased help-seeking behavior among participants. These findings suggest the potential utility of structured, accessible digital interventions within stepped-care models for mental health support. However, limitations in study design, sample representativeness, and follow-up duration suggest that further research is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness and broader applicability of such digital programs. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06166693; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06166693

Poster: ECR 2011 / C-1791 / Imaging Findings of Cholangiocarcinoma Related with Clonorchiasis by: D. Choi 1, J. H. Lim2; 1Seoul /KR, 2Seoul/KR

Poster: ECR 2015 / C-0296 / Gastric lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma: Its morphology detected on Computed Tomography and Clinical-Pathologic correlation. by: C. Kim, H. J. Kim; Seoul/KR

Poster: ECR 2015 / C-0738 / Imaging of Biliary Complications after Right-Lobe Living Donor Liver Transplantation by: H. Park1, K. W. Kim2, S. J. Lee2, J. S. Lee2, H. J. Kim2, G. W. Song2, S. G. Lee2; 1Seoul /KR, 2Seoul/KR

Poster: ECR 2014 / C-1341 / MRI of Marjolin ulcer in the Burn patients   by: E. S. Lee, I. Yang; SEOUL/KR

Poster: ECR 2015 / B-1141 / Evaluation of periprostatic nerve fibers using diffusion tensor imaging tractography at 3T: correlation with radical prostatectomy specimens by: K. Kim1, B. C. Jeong1, G. Y. Kwon1, J. J. Park1, B. K. Park1, S. Y. Park2; 1Seoul/KR, 2Seoul /KR

Poster: ECR 2018 / C-0721 / Detection of Pneumoperitoneum in digital radiography: Comparison of Chest and Abdominal radiography by position. by: C. K. JEON , G. S. Bok, Y. S. Bae, H. NamKoong, D. S. kim; SEOUL/KR

Poster: ESTI 2012 / E-0015 / Frequency and progression rate of coronary artery calcification on low dose ungated MDCT for lung cancer screening  by: G. Yi, J. H. Park, J. H. Hwang; seoul/KR

Poster: ECR 2017 / C-0224 / Comparative evaluation of according to changes in SENSE factor and voxel size in 3.0T MRI thoracic spine diffusion-weighted images by: K. BYOUNGJUN; seoul/KR

Poster: ECR 2017 / B-0019 / Accuracy of MRI for predicting anterior peritoneal reflection involvement for locally advanced rectal cancer: prospective comparison with operation findings by: K. C. Sim1, B. J. Park2, M. J. Kim2, D. J. Sung2, N. Y. Han2, S. B. Cho2; 1Seoul, Se/KR, 2Seoul/KR

Poster: ESTI 2014 / P-0075 / Idiopathic dilatation of the pulmonary artery : radiographic and MDCT features in 6 cases by: J. Woo1, K. Y. Lee2, Y. Cho1, J. K. An3, D. J. Kim1; 1Seoul /KR, 2Ansan/KR, 3Seoul/KR

Poster: ECR 2018 / C-0715 / Serous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas: comparison of endoscopic ultrasonographic features of surgically removed cases with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging by: H. Hwang; SEOUL/KR

Poster: ECR 2019 / C-1713 / The effect of prohibition of image cropping of radiographers on the collimation size in the infantogram and chest x-ray of infants by: Y. KIM ; SEOUL/KR

Poster: ECR 2016 / C-1326 /  Radiologic and clinicopathologic findings of eosinophilic heart diseases : Assessment with Cardiac MRI and MDCT by: J. Y. YOO 1, W. Lee2, E. J. Chun3; 1Seoul /KR, 2Seoul/KR, 3Seongnam-Si/KR