Predictive Power of the Albumin-Bilirubin Score for Hepatotoxicity in Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Assessment of liver function is crucial in predicting treatment outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic performance of the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score for predicting hepatotoxicity following stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in HCC patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 123 HCC cases treated between 2018 and 2020.

Longitudinal trends in direct costs and healthcare utilization ascribable to inflammatory bowel disease in the biologic era: a nationwide, population-based study.

Background And Aim: Biologic-era data regarding the direct cost and healthcare utilization of inflammatory bowel disease at the population level are limited, especially in Asia. Thus, we aimed to investigate the nationwide prevalence, direct cost, and healthcare utilization of inflammatory bowel disease in Korea in a recent 10-year period.

Methods: Using the Korean National Health Insurance claim data from 2008 to 2017, we investigated all prescription medications and their associated direct costs, hospitalizations, and outpatient visits.

Incidence of hypothyroidism after treatment for breast cancer: A Korean population-based study.

This Korean population-based study aimed to describe the patterns of hypothyroidism after adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) in patients with breast cancer. The Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database was searched for patients with invasive breast carcinomas. We calculated the cumulative incidence and incidence rates per 1,000 person-years of subsequent hypothyroidism and compared them using the log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model.

Impact of COVID-19 on Emergency Medical Services for Patients with Acute Stroke Presentation in Busan, South Korea.

The purpose of this retrospective observational study was to identify the impact of COVID-19 on emergency medical services (EMS) processing times and transfers to the emergency department (ED) among patients with acute stroke symptoms before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Busan, South Korea. The total number of patients using EMS for acute stroke symptoms decreased by 8.2% from 1570 in the pre-COVID-19 period to 1441 during the COVID-19 period.

Expression and prognostic significance of Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 in colorectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignancy of the large intestine, whose development and prognosis have been demonstrated to be associated with altered lipid metabolism. High cholesterol intake is associated with an increased risk of CRC, and elevated serum cholesterol levels are known to be correlated with risk of developing CRC. Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1), a target of ezetimibe, plays an essential role in the absorption of intestinal cholesterol.

Using lactate dehydrogenase to predict the severity of respiratory distress in term newborn infants with no perinatal asphyxia.

Background: We aimed to establish whether knowledge of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels on day 1, as well as the change in these levels in the first three days, could be of clinical benefit in the diagnosis and/or prediction of severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 275 term infants (35 with RDS and 240 with TTN) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit from January 2014 to June 2019. LDH levels were measured on admission and after three days.

A longitudinal study of changes of congenital auricular deformity regarding self-correction.

This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with congenital auricular deformities and evaluate the long-term frequency of their self-correction. Ninety newborns were enrolled in the study, and data were collected within 2 weeks after birth and at 1 year. The shape of the auricle was classified into seven categories using a digital image.

Predicting survival time of Korean hepatocellular carcinoma patients using the Cox proportional hazards model: a retrospective study based on big data analysis.

Aim: To predict survival time of Korean hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients by analyzing big data using Cox proportional hazards model.

Methods: Big data of the patients who underwent treatment for HCC from 2008 to 2015, provided by Korea Central Cancer Registry, National Cancer Center, and Ministry of Health and Welfare, were analyzed. A total of 10 742 patients with HCC were divided into two groups, with Group I (3021 patients) confirmed on biopsy and Group II (5563 patients) diagnosed as HCC according to HCC diagnostic criteria as outlined in Korean Liver Cancer Association guidelines.

Comparison of breast volume change between oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery with radiation therapy and a simultaneous contralateral balancing procedure through the inverted-T scar technique.

Background: Reduction mammoplasty or mastopexy is performed as an additional balancing procedure in patients with large or ptotic breasts who undergo breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Radiation therapy on breasts that have undergone surgery may result in changes in the volume. This study presents a comparative analysis of patients who received post-BCS balancing procedures to determine whether volume changes were larger in breasts that received radiation therapy than on the contralateral side.

What predicts better prognosis in elderly breast cancer patients?

Purpose: As we enter an aging society, the number of elderly patients with breast cancer is increasing. We assessed the prognostic factors for breast cancer recurrence or metastasis in patients over the age of 65 years by analyzing tumor characteristics and long-term clinical outcomes.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the data of 286 breast cancer patients aged 65 years and older, who underwent treatment at the Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital from 2008 to 2014, were analyzed.

Association Between Weekend Catch-Up Sleep and Metabolic Syndrome with Sleep Restriction in Korean Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Using KNHANES.

Background: Many researchers have identified that adequate sleep duration is linked to the quality of life and metabolic diseases. Nowadays, it is hard to take enough sleep, so weekend catch-up sleep (CUS) may be an alternative option in modern society. To our knowledge, no previous studies reported the association between weekend CUS and metabolic syndrome, especially in the Korean population.

Attachment distribution of pectoral muscle origins identified in dual-plane breast implant insertion.

Background: Implant-based dual-plane augmentation mammoplasty requires accurate separation of the pectoralis major muscle (PMM) at its origins. The authors identified the PMM origins during breast reconstruction surgery with the goal of providing additional information on subpectoral implant insertion for reconstructive or aesthetic purposes.

Methods: This study was conducted on 67 patients who underwent breast reconstruction surgery at the breast center of our hospital between November 2016 and June 2018.

Effects of Intraoperative Low-Dose Ketamine on Persistent Postsurgical Pain after Breast Cancer Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Study.

Background: Compared to acute postsurgical pain, studies regarding the role of ketamine in persistent postsurgical pain (PPSP) are limited.

Objectives: The aim of this clinical trial was to test if intraoperative low-dose ketamine without postoperative infusion would reduce PPSP development after breast cancer surgery.

Study Design: We used a randomized, double-blinded, placebo study design.

Maximal Inspiratory Pressure and Maximal Expiratory Pressure in Healthy Korean Children.

Objective: To evaluate respiratory muscle strength in healthy Korean children in order to establish the criteria for normal reference values for future applications. In contrast with the other parameters for testing pulmonary function, normal values for respiratory muscle strength in healthy Korean children have not been assessed to date.

Methods: We conducted a complete survey of 263 students at Sinmyung Elementary School in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, and measured their height and body weight, performed pulmonary function tests, and evaluated maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) as measures of respiratory muscle strength.

Preoperative Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with a Hip Fracture: An Indirect Multidetector CT Venography Study.

Background: This retrospective cohort study investigated the prevalence of and risk factors for preoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with a hip fracture and a delay of >24 hours from injury to surgery.

Methods: This observational study included 208 patients with a hip fracture surgically treated at 1 university hospital between December 2010 and August 2014. Patients underwent indirect multidetector computed tomographic (MDCT) venography for preoperative VTE detection after admission.

Effect of sensor location on regional cerebral oxygen saturation measured by INVOS 5100 in on-pump cardiac surgery.

Purpose: Near-infrared spectroscopy sensors often cannot be attached at the commercially recommended locations because combined use of neurological monitoring systems is common during on-pump cardiac surgery. The primary purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of regional cerebral oxygen desaturation and regional cerebral oxygen saturation values detected using near-infrared spectroscopy between the upper and lower forehead during on-pump cardiac surgery.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted with 25 adult patients scheduled for elective on-pump cardiac surgery.

Rice mutants deficient in ω-3 fatty acid desaturase (FAD8) fail to acclimate to cold temperatures.

To investigate the role of ω-3 fatty acid (FA) desaturase (FAD8) during cold acclimation in higher plants, we characterized three independent T-DNA insertional knock-out mutants of OsFAD8 from rice (Oryza sativa L.). At room temperature (28 °C), osfad8 plants exhibited significant alterations in fatty acid (FA) unsaturation for all four investigated plastidic lipid classes.

Times to Discontinue Antidepressants Over 6 Months in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate differences in discontinuation time among antidepressants and total antidepressant discontinuation rate of patients with depression over a 6 month period in a naturalistic treatment setting.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 900 patients with major depressive disorder who were initially prescribed only one kind of antidepressant. The prescribed antidepressants and the reasons for discontinuation were surveyed at baseline and every 4 weeks during the 24 week study.

Uncovering multiloci-ordering by algebraic property of Laplacian matrix and its Fiedler vector.

Motivation: The loci-ordering, based on two-point recombination fractions for a pair of loci, is the most important step in constructing a reliable and fine genetic map.

Results: Using the concept from complex graph theory, here we propose a Laplacian ordering approach which uncovers the loci-ordering of multiloci simultaneously. The algebraic property for a Fiedler vector of a Laplacian matrix, constructed from the recombination fraction of the loci-ordering for 26 loci of barley chromosome IV, 846 loci of Arabidopsis thaliana and 1903 loci of Malus domestica, together with the variable threshold uncovers their loci-orders.

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and type 1 diabetes mellitus in a Korean population.

Background: Vitamin D receptor (VDR) has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). There has been no case-control study examining the association between VDR polymorphisms and T1DM among Korean subjects with a low incidence of T1DM.

Methods: Eighty-one T1DM patients and 113 unrelated healthy controls with no history of DM or other autoimmune diseases were investigated at either Pusan National University Children's Hospital or Korea University Anam Hospital between March 2009 and September 2013.

Pilot study for family-based association analysis of schizophrenia in a Korean population: Analysis for candidate genes positionally on chromosome 18q21.

Introduction: Schizophrenia is the most devastating mental illness that causes severe deterioration in social and occupational functioning. This is a pilot study for family-based association analysis of schizophrenia in a Korean population to search candidate genes functionally relevant and positionally on chromosome 18.

Methods: We have recruited 27 probands (with psychosis) with their parents and siblings whenever possible.

Clinical Usefulness of Hydromorphone-OROS in Improving Sleep Disturbances in Korean Cancer Patients: A Multicenter, Prospective, Open-Label Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of hydromorphone-OROS (HM-OROS) in reducing sleep disturbance and relieving cancer pain.

Materials And Methods: One hundred twenty cancer patients with pain (numeric rating scale [NRS] ≥ 4) and sleep disturbance (NRS ≥ 4) were evaluated. The initial HM-OROS dosing was based on previous opioid dose (HM-OROS:oral morphine=1:5).

The effects of anesthetics on chronic pain after breast cancer surgery.

Background: The incidence and predictive factors for chronic pain after breast cancer surgery have been widely studied. Because it negatively affects patients' daily lives, methods to prevent and reduce chronic pain and its severity should be developed. Our previous study showed that propofol anesthesia has an antihyperalgesic effect under remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia and reduced acute pain compared with sevoflurane anesthesia.

Association of the Neuronal Cell Adhesion Molecule (NrCAM) Gene Variants with Personality Traits and Addictive Symptoms in Methamphetamine Use Disorder.

Objective: 1) To investigate the relationship between NrCAM polymorphisms and methamphetamine abuse in an ethnically homogenous Korean population. 2) To further support our findings by investigating the association among NrCAM gene variants, certain personality traits, and addictive symptoms of methamphetamine abusers.

Methods: Thirty-seven male methamphetamine abusers (age=43.