Min-Ji Yoon

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This study is testing a more precise form of brain stimulation for stroke patients who have difficulty swallowing. Instead of using standard electrode placements, electrode positions are calculated from each patient's own MRI scan to direct current to the exact swallowing area of the brain. The trial aims to determine whether this personalized approach is safe and improves swallowing better than a sham treatment.

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The researchers developed a biochip assay (BARA) that can simultaneously detect viral proteins and genetic material from single virus particles and related vesicles in patient samples. The assay was more sensitive than standard PCR tests and could detect the virus in people without symptoms, identify genetic mutations in individual viral particles, and find persistent viral RNA in the blood of long COVID patients. This technology offers a versatile platform for diagnosing current and future viral outbreaks with greater accuracy.

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This study used computer simulations to determine how surgical holes in the skull (burr holes) affect the brain's electrical exposure during tDCS. When a stimulation electrode is placed directly over a burr hole, the electric field at that site can increase fourfold compared to normal skull; however, keeping the electrode at least 60 mm away from any burr hole keeps exposure within safe limits. These results provide a concrete safety guideline for clinicians who want to use tDCS in patients who have had brain surgery.

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Researchers measured a protein called TCTP in the blood of gastric cancer patients and found that high levels predicted worse survival with both chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Patients with high TCTP had more immune-suppressing myeloid cells and less T-cell activity in their tumors, consistent with an immune-cold tumor environment. TCTP blood levels could serve as a practical biomarker to identify gastric cancer patients unlikely to benefit from immune checkpoint therapies.

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This research examined the protein UXT, which helps cells dispose of misfolded proteins through autophagy. The study showed that UXT forms large multi-protein assemblies, and this ability to oligomerize is essential for it to efficiently cluster and clear protein aggregates, including a mutant form of SOD1 linked to ALS. Understanding how UXT works could inform strategies to enhance protein aggregate clearance in neurodegenerative diseases.

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This study tracked brain structural changes beyond six months after stroke and linked them to arm and hand function outcomes. Among 62 patients imaged an average of four years post-stroke, increases in gray matter volume in the cerebellar hemisphere on the stroke-affected side were associated with better hand and arm function. The finding suggests that the cerebellum continues to remodel after stroke and may support long-term motor recovery.

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Researchers studied whether the preservation of sensory nerve pathways influences walking recovery in stroke patients with severe motor damage. In 85 chronic stroke patients, those who had intact sensory tracts despite severe damage to the motor tract were about eight times more likely to achieve functional walking than those with both tracts damaged. This means sensory pathway status should be assessed when predicting rehabilitation potential in patients with poor motor tract integrity.

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This study investigated how a specific group of helper proteins called J-domain proteins contribute to the abnormal clumping of TDP-43, a protein linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Working in yeast, the researchers found that one J-domain protein (Sis1) initiates condensate formation around TDP-43, and then recruits the Hsp70 chaperone to reorganize those condensates into a distinct multi-layered structure. Identifying Sis1 as a key driver of this process points to a potential target for therapies aimed at diseases like ALS and frontotemporal dementia.

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Researchers tested a new way to measure muscle health in stroke patients who can't voluntarily contract their muscles well enough for standard tests. The device delivers electrical pulses to the muscle and records the resulting contraction signals, producing a reliable readout that correlates strongly with both muscle strength and lean muscle mass. The measurements were highly reproducible across different testers, making this a promising tool for tracking muscle loss in stroke patients.

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Researchers simulated brain stimulation in 21 stroke patients to compare standard electrode placements with computer-optimized placements based on each patient's MRI. The personalized electrode positions were different for every patient and delivered on average 20% more electrical current to the hand motor area, with some patients gaining up to 52% more. This confirms that individualized tDCS planning based on brain imaging can substantially improve stimulation precision over standard approaches.

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This study used a three-round expert consensus process to develop exercise recommendations specifically for stroke patients who also have pre-existing muscle wasting (sarcopenia). Fifteen specialists reached agreement on 57 exercise priorities, providing the first structured guidance for this combined condition. The resulting recommendations distinguish which exercises are appropriate for patients with poor balance, cognitive impairment, or other complications common in this population.

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This study chemically analyzed an extract from a Korean endemic plant (Orostachys malacophyllus var. yamatensis) to identify its active compounds and biological properties. The extract contained two flavonoid compounds and showed some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, though weaker than the reference standards used. The results suggest the plant has potential as a source of anti-inflammatory agents and supports further research into its medicinal uses.

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Researchers developed a new anti-PD-1 antibody (GNUV201) that binds to the PD-1 immune checkpoint protein in both humans and mice, solving a major obstacle in preclinical cancer drug testing. Unlike approved drugs, GNUV201 binds more strongly in the acidic environment of tumors, which could make it more effective and selective within tumor tissue. These properties make GNUV201 a promising candidate for cancer immunotherapy and a better research tool for predicting how patients will respond.

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This multi-center trial protocol describes a study testing personalized rTMS for arm recovery after stroke, where stimulation parameters are chosen based on each patient's remaining motor pathway integrity as measured by nerve conduction and MRI. Patients are divided into three groups based on their residual function, and each group receives a different rTMS protocol targeting the most relevant brain region. The trial aims to show that matching the stimulation strategy to the individual patient's deficits is more effective than a one-size-fits-all approach.

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This case report describes an elderly woman who presented with swallowing difficulty as the only symptom of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a nerve disorder that usually causes widespread weakness. After the correct diagnosis was made and immunotherapy was given, she fully recovered her ability to swallow without a feeding tube. The case highlights that swallowing problems with no other obvious cause should prompt clinicians to consider rare nerve disorders as the underlying diagnosis.

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This proof-of-concept study used AI to diagnose sarcopenia in stroke patients based on muscle signals recorded during electrical stimulation rather than voluntary contractions. An AI model trained on these signals achieved accuracy of 96% in men and 95% in women when validated against standard diagnostic criteria. The results suggest that electrically evoked muscle signals could replace conventional sarcopenia tests that are impractical for paralyzed patients.

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Researchers developed a method to diagnose sarcopenia (muscle wasting) in stroke patients using electrically stimulated muscle contraction signals, avoiding the need for voluntary effort that hemiplegia makes difficult. A machine learning model trained on these signals classified sarcopenia with 93% accuracy in men and 100% in women in a stroke population. This approach could enable reliable muscle-wasting screening in patients who cannot perform standard grip or walking tests.

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This trial protocol describes a study testing whether tailoring repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to each Parkinson's patient's specific movement limitations improves walking. Patients are classified by whether their gait problems are primarily motor or cognitive, and the stimulation target—motor cortex versus prefrontal cortex—is chosen accordingly. The trial will determine if this individualized approach outperforms conventional rTMS aimed at the motor cortex alone.

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This study examined the connection between a specific brain pathway linking the thalamus to the prefrontal cortex and the level of consciousness in patients with disorders of consciousness after brain injury. In patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness, the volume of this pathway was significantly smaller than in stroke patients without consciousness problems, and greater pathway volume in the less-damaged hemisphere correlated with higher consciousness scores. Measuring this tract's integrity could help predict prognosis and guide treatment planning in these patients.

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Researchers established normal scores for the Korean Modified Barthel Index, a standard measure of daily living independence, across different ages in typically developing Korean children. The data from 206 children showed that mobility skills develop quickly and approach adult levels by age 7, while self-care skills develop more gradually and reach adult levels around age 10. These age-specific norms give clinicians a reference point for identifying delays and monitoring rehabilitation progress in children.

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This study compared two ways of electrically stimulating the biceps muscle to produce elbow bending: surface electrodes on the skin versus a needle electrode placed near the nerve inside the muscle. Both methods produced similar force (about 16-18% of maximum voluntary strength), but the internal needle approach required much lower current and caused less pain and discomfort. For patients who need electrical stimulation therapy, the perineural approach may offer a less uncomfortable alternative to standard surface stimulation.

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When ribosomes stall during protein production, they can attach a string of amino acids called a CAT tail to the unfinished protein. This study found that the threonine-rich portion of CAT tails drives the formation of sticky, detergent-resistant protein aggregates that also sequester cellular chaperones and stress the cell's protein quality control system. Identifying polythreonine as an aggregation-driving sequence helps explain how stalled protein production leads to cellular toxicity.

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This study examined whether pregnant women who had COVID-19 were at higher risk for dangerously low blood pressure during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Comparing COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative patients, there was no significant difference in the rate or severity of blood pressure drops. However, COVID-19 patients with a resting heart rate above 100 had worse newborn outcomes and longer hospital stays, so anesthesiologists should pay close attention to heart rate when managing these patients.

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This review examines a software-based approach that uses a patient's own MRI to model how electrical current flows in their brain during tDCS and then optimize electrode placement accordingly. The authors summarize clinical trials and simulation studies showing that this personalized method delivers stronger, more targeted stimulation to the intended brain region than standard electrode positions, including in patients with skull defects or stroke lesions. The review argues that MRI-guided simulation should become a routine part of tDCS planning in clinical practice.

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This study evaluated whether a structured shoulder rehabilitation program after pacemaker or defibrillator implantation reduces pain and improves shoulder function. Patients who continued outpatient shoulder therapy after discharge reported significantly less pain and better shoulder movement than those who did not. The results support introducing formal shoulder rehabilitation as standard care following cardiac device implantation.

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This study investigated whether damage to the pathway connecting the cerebellum back to the motor cortex (the dentatothalamocortical tract) could predict arm function six or more months after stroke. In 25 stroke patients, the integrity of this pathway combined with corticospinal tract status was the best predictor of chronic upper limb motor function. This finding means that cerebellar output pathway damage, not just the main motor tract, should be assessed when estimating stroke recovery potential.

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This clinical trial protocol describes a study testing whether personalized tDCS—with electrode placements calculated from each patient's brain MRI to account for their specific lesions—is safe and effective for patients who remain in a minimally conscious or vegetative state after brain injury. The trial uses a crossover design so each patient receives both active and sham stimulation and will measure changes in consciousness level using a standardized scale. The study addresses the lack of evidence for stimulation approaches that account for structural brain damage in these patients.

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This study developed a single-particle assay that can simultaneously detect proteins and RNA in individual extracellular vesicles and lipoproteins isolated from patient blood. By sorting particles onto microscale patterns and detecting signals at the single-vesicle level, the method was more sensitive than standard bulk tests and could identify glioblastoma-associated RNA markers in the blood of brain cancer patients. The platform provides a way to study the molecular differences between vesicle subpopulations and may improve liquid biopsy diagnostics.

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This systematic review summarized research on how working in hot conditions affects worker health across multiple body systems. Reviewing 47 studies, the authors found that heat exposure increases risk of heat illness, cardiovascular and kidney disease, accidents, and reproductive problems. The findings underscore the need for workplace heat exposure regulations and targeted health protections for vulnerable workers.

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This study followed 60 Korean rheumatoid arthritis patients for two years after they stopped taking the biologic drug golimumab following a clinical trial. Only 38% maintained disease control without needing additional treatment, and half had lost the benefit within about two years. Patients with more swollen joints and longer disease duration at the time of stopping were most likely to need to restart a biologic drug.

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This study analyzed spine X-rays from 116 children with neurological disorders to identify which factors predict worsening spinal curves over time and which direction the curve tends to lean. Severe motor impairment, pelvic tilt, vertebral rotation, and female sex all significantly predicted curve progression, while the higher side of the pelvic tilt was consistently opposite to the direction the curve apex pointed. These findings help identify which children are at highest risk for rapid curve progression so they can be monitored and treated more aggressively.

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Researchers developed a microfluidic system that grows breast cancer tumor spheroids inside tiny gel beads and then collects the vesicles those tumors release, allowing single-vesicle analysis with only 20 microliters of fluid. The system showed that individual vesicles from these tumor models vary in their surface marker expression, reflecting the biological diversity seen in real tumors. This platform provides a controlled way to study how cancer cells release vesicles and could be used to test drug effects on vesicle production.

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This study looked at whether the integrity of the cerebellar input pathway (cortico-ponto-cerebellar tract) early after stroke predicts hand function at six to twelve months. Patients with good chronic hand function had significantly better preservation of this pathway than those with poor hand function, and a specific threshold value distinguished the groups. Measuring this pathway at the time of stroke could help clinicians counsel patients about expected hand recovery and plan individualized rehabilitation.

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This case report describes two infants with nemaline myopathy—a rare muscle disorder—who initially required tube feeding but eventually transitioned to full oral feeding after sustained swallowing rehabilitation. Despite severe oral motor dysfunction, consistent evaluation and therapy led to meaningful improvement in both children. The report argues that clinicians should not give up on swallowing rehabilitation in children with this condition, as functional recovery is possible.

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Researchers built a biochip that detects PD-1 and PD-L1 proteins and their messenger RNAs on individual extracellular vesicles extracted from a small amount of patient blood. Testing 54 lung cancer patients, the single-vesicle mRNA markers outperformed protein markers in predicting who would respond to immunotherapy, reaching 72% accuracy. This non-invasive blood test could improve on the limited accuracy of standard tissue biopsy-based PD-L1 testing for selecting lung cancer patients for immunotherapy.

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This study examined how physical activity levels in children with cerebral palsy relate to their quality of life and how much stress their caregivers experience. Children with more severe motor impairment were significantly less active, had lower physical quality of life, and their caregivers reported more stress. These findings mean that measuring and promoting physical activity in children with cerebral palsy should be a routine part of clinical care, both for the child and the family.

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This trial protocol describes a study testing whether placing tDCS electrodes based on each patient's MRI-derived electrical field model improves arm recovery after stroke more than standard electrode placements or sham stimulation. Forty-two patients are randomized to personalized tDCS, conventional tDCS, or sham over two weeks of rehabilitation. The study is designed to address the lack of evidence on whether accounting for individual brain lesions when targeting stimulation produces better clinical outcomes.

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This study found that the actin-regulating protein profilin-1 moves into the cell nucleus when DNA is damaged and helps coordinate the repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Without profilin-1, cells were unable to recruit DNA repair proteins to break sites, accumulated persistent DNA damage, and underwent increased cell death. This identifies profilin-1 as an unexpected participant in DNA damage repair in skin cells, with potential relevance to understanding skin cancer and radiation sensitivity.

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This study evaluated whether digital scans of a dental implant abutment can be accurately matched to a library model of that abutment even when the scan is incomplete—for example, when the side surfaces or margins are not fully captured. Superimposing the library data onto incompletely scanned abutments produced no statistically significant error compared to a complete reference scan. Clinicians can reliably use this superimposition technique in challenging mouth conditions where getting a complete abutment scan is difficult.

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Researchers showed that injecting botulinum toxin A (Botox) into the mouse uterus before embryo transfer stimulates blood vessel growth in the uterine lining and improves embryo implantation rates. The toxin appears to work by promoting vascular remodeling without damaging the embryos. This finding raises the possibility that a Botox-based uterine treatment could help women who repeatedly fail IVF due to poor uterine lining receptivity.

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This study tested several antibiotic helper compounds (beta-lactamase inhibitors) against a carbapenem-resistant enzyme produced by a bacterium that is dangerous for people with cystic fibrosis. Avibactam was the most potent inhibitor, and the study identified a specific amino acid in the enzyme's structure that is critical for how well different inhibitors work. These findings guide which drug combinations are most likely to be effective against this resistant bacterium in clinical infections.

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This study found that a chaperone protein called UXT helps the cell clear toxic protein aggregates by acting as a bridge between the aggregates and the autophagy receptor p62, enhancing their removal. UXT's protective effect depended on its ability to interact physically with p62, and overexpressing UXT slowed motor neuron degeneration in an animal model of ALS caused by the SOD1 mutation. These results identify UXT as a potential therapeutic target for diseases characterized by toxic protein buildup.

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This study identified TRIM28 as a protein that suppresses the cell's normal pathway for clustering and disposing of misfolded proteins (aggresome formation). TRIM28 does this by binding to a transport protein and interfering with the delivery of damaged proteins to the aggresome; when cells are infected by influenza virus, TRIM28 becomes modified in a way that amplifies this blocking effect, slowing virus replication. These findings reveal a new layer of regulation in the cell's protein quality control system with potential implications for both neurodegeneration and viral infection.

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Researchers tested whether injecting a signaling protein called CXCL12 directly into the uterus of mice improved embryo implantation. CXCL12 enhanced blood vessel formation in the uterine lining and increased expression of proteins needed for embryo attachment, resulting in significantly higher implantation rates without harming embryo development. This points to intrauterine CXCL12 administration as a possible treatment for patients with repeated IVF implantation failure.

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This study investigated whether specific brain lesion locations cause the pushing behavior (lateropulsion) seen in some stroke patients, where they actively lean toward the paralyzed side. While certain cortical regions appeared associated with pushing, once total lesion size was accounted for statistically, no specific location was independently linked to the behavior. Larger overall stroke size—rather than any particular brain region—was the strongest predictor of lateropulsion.

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This study used brain imaging to examine white matter tract changes in stroke patients who developed chronic pain (central post-stroke pain) compared to stroke patients without pain and healthy controls. Patients with post-stroke pain had more damage in the spinothalamic tract and superior thalamic radiation—pathways that carry pain and sensory signals—than stroke patients without pain. Damage to these specific tracts may contribute to developing chronic pain after stroke, and measuring them could help predict which patients are at risk.

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This study compared stroke patients with severe disability who received emergency clot removal (thrombectomy) against similar patients who did not, following them for six months. The thrombectomy group showed significantly greater improvements in daily living independence, walking, and swallowing over time. This suggests thrombectomy benefits extend beyond immediate survival to long-term functional recovery even in patients who are severely disabled at the time of their stroke.

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Researchers built a three-layer lab model of the uterine lining on a microfluidic chip, incorporating epithelial cells, supporting tissue cells, and blood vessels in their correct spatial arrangement. The model reproduced normal hormonal responses and blood vessel growth seen in a real menstrual cycle, and showed measurable effects of an emergency contraceptive drug on vessel structure and tissue permeability. This organ-on-a-chip platform provides a more realistic system for testing drugs that target uterine function than conventional flat cell cultures.

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This study generated ovarian cancer cells resistant to the chemotherapy drug carboplatin to understand why tumors stop responding to treatment. Resistant cells had higher baseline DNA damage, lower activity of a key DNA repair pathway (non-homologous end joining), and boosted proliferation and migration. Restoring the repair pathway by blocking drug-resistance genes re-sensitized the cells to carboplatin, identifying a potential way to overcome chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer.

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This large national study in Korea tracked the relationship between daily maximum temperatures and hospitalizations and deaths in workers over 14 years. High temperatures above about 31°C significantly increased outdoor mortality on the same day, and were linked to higher rates of infectious disease, heart and stroke events, and injuries. The data provide a quantitative basis for setting occupational heat exposure thresholds and targeting preventive interventions at the most at-risk worker groups.