Sex Differences in Clinical Features and Survival Outcomes of Esophageal Cancer: A Comparative Study in the Korean Population.

Purpose: Esophageal cancer is a predominantly male disease. However, the sex differences associated with esophageal cancer have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the differences between esophageal cancer in males and females in the Korean population.

Effectiveness of Buspirone in Alleviating Anxiety Symptoms in Patients with Depressive Disorder: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study in Korea.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of buspirone as an adjunctive therapy for alleviating anxiety symptoms in patients with depressive disorders who are already taking antidepressants.

Methods: This was an open-label prospective multicenter non-interventional observational study conducted over 12 weeks. We enrolled 180 patients diagnosed with depressive disorders according to DSM-5 criteria and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) scores ≥ 18.

Effects of Phytoncide Inhalation on Stroop Task Performance in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: An fNIRS Pilot Study.

Objective: : Several studies have reported the therapeutic effects of phytoncides on various mental disorders. However, little is known about the therapeutic effects of phytoncides on mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a prodromal stage of dementia. In this pilot study, we aimed to clarify the effect of inhaled phytoncides on the cognitive function of patients clinically diagnosed with MCI.

Reactive Oxygen Species-Sensitive Nanophotosensitizers Composed of Buthionine Sulfoximine-Conjugated Chitosan Oligosaccharide for Enhanced Photodynamic Treatment of Cancer Cells.

The efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) based on traditional photosensitizers is generally limited by the cellular redox homeostasis system due to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging effect of glutathione (GSH). In this study, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a GSH inhibitor, was conjugated with the amine group of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) using a thioketal linker (COSthBSO) to liberate BSO and chlorine e6 (Ce6) under oxidative stress, and then, Ce6-COSthBSO NP (Ce6-COSthBSO NP), fabricated by a dialysis procedure, showed an accelerated release rate of BSO and Ce6 by the addition of hydrogen peroxide, indicating that nanophotosensitizers have ROS sensitivity. In the in vitro cell culture study using HCT116 colon carcinoma cells, a combination of BSO and Ce6 efficiently suppressed the intracellular GSH and increased ROS production compared to the sole treatment of Ce6.

Efficacy and safety of a novel multisegmented fully covered self-expanding metal stent for malignant esophageal obstruction: a prospective pilot study with historical control.

Background And Aims: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) are effective for symptom palliation in patients with esophageal obstruction. However, their placement can lead to adverse events such as stent migration and restenosis. A novel fully covered SEMS (FCSEMS) with antimigration properties has been developed to address these issues.

Concurrent immunotherapy and radiation in cisplatin-ineligible patients with HNSCC: a systematic review & meta-analysis.

Background: Head and squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the locally advanced setting is challenging to treat and remains an area of significant morbidity and mortality. For patients who are cisplatin-ineligible and considered unresectable, there is no clear standard of care including the choice of radiosensitizer.

Methods: OVID Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were systematically searched.

Effect of Macrolide Exposure on Tailored Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles: A Prospective Study Using the Drug Utilization Review System.

Background/aims: Determining antibiotic use history accurately is challenging due to its reliance on patient recall. By determining macrolide exposure using the Korean drug utilization review (DUR) system, we analyzed the impact of previous macrolide use on antibiotic resistance profiles and compared the eradication rate between tailored therapy based on macrolide exposure history and empirical therapy.

Methods: Patients with confirmed Helicobacter pylori (H.

Vortioxetine in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder Among Working Patients in Routine Clinical Practice: An Analysis of a Post-Marketing Surveillance Study in South Korea.

Background: Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) experience depressive symptoms such as anhedonia as well as cognitive dysfunction which can subsequently impair their work performance.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness and safety of vortioxetine in working patients with MDD in South Korea.

Patients And Methods: This was a subgroup analysis of a prospective, multicenter, non-interventional, non-comparative post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study.

Effect of limiting checklist on the validity of objective structured clinical examination: A comparative validity study.

Background: The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a cornerstone of medical education that uses a structured approach to assess clinical skills and competency. A well-designed checklist is essential to enhance the validity of OSCE exams. This study aimed to determine whether a clinically discriminatory checklist (CDC) improves the validity of the OSCE compared with an assessment using the thoroughness checklist (TC), with a particular focus on clinical reasoning.

Additional Diagnostic Yield of the Rapid Drink Challenge in Chicago Classification Version 4.0 Compared With Version 3.0.

Background/aims: Chicago classification version 4.0 enhances the diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders using position change and provocative tests such as multiple rapid swallows and a rapid drink challenge. This study investigates the diagnostic role of the rapid drink challenge based on Chicago classification 4.

Optimal Diagnostic and Treatment Response Threshold of the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Endoscopic Reference Score: A Single-Center Study of 102 Patients With Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Background/aims: The proposed eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) endoscopic reference score serves to diagnose and evaluate treatment responses in EoE. Nevertheless, the validated reference score thresholds for diagnosis and treatment response in Asian patients are yet to be established. This study aims to establish these thresholds for the first time among Asian patients with EoE.

Enhancement of photovoltaic parameters of thermally stable graphene/LaVOsemitransparent solar cell by employing interfacial graphene quantum dots.

Semitransparent solar cells are attracting attention not only for their visual effects but also for their ability to effectively utilize solar energy. Here, we demonstrate a translucent solar cell composed of bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)-amide (TFSA)-doped graphene (Gr), graphene quantum dots (GQDs), and LaVO. By introducing a GQDs intermediate layer at the TFSA-Gr/LaVOinterface, we can improve efficiency by preventing carrier recombination and promoting charge collection/separation in the device.

Identification of risk factors and clinical outcomes for symmetric peripheral gangrene: A new scoring system using a common data model database.

Symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) is a destructive clinical condition where amputation is often the final treatment option. We aimed to identify the predictors of SPG using the common data model (CDM) and propose a new scoring system for predicting hospitalized patients at risk of developing SPG. A cohort of patients treated with intravenous noradrenaline, epinephrine, and vasopressin between 2011 and 2020 was retrospectively analyzed using the CDM database.

Effects of on Sensorineural Hearing Loss via Neuronal Gene Regulation.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), characterized by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, is a prevalent auditory disorder. This study explores the potential of (CAE) as a therapeutic agent for SNHL. In vivo experiments were conducted using zebrafish and mouse models.

Association between Liver Function Markers and Menstrual Cycle Irregularity in Korean Female Population.

Background: The liver plays an important role in gonadal steroid hormone metabolism, which can affect reproductive health, including the menstrual cycle. However, evidence from large population-based studies is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between liver function markers and menstrual cycle irregularities in premenopausal Korean women using nationwide data.

Efficacy and Safety of Lurasidone vs. Quetiapine XR in Acutely Psychotic Patients With Schizophrenia in Korea: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled Trial.

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lurasidone (160 mg/day) compared to quetiapine XR (QXR; 600 mg/day) in the treatment of acutely psychotic patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with lurasidone 160 mg/day (n=105) or QXR 600 mg/day (n=105). Primary efficacy measure was the change from baseline to week 6 in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score and Clinical Global Impressions severity (CGI-S) score.

3D engineered scaffold for large-scale Vigil immunotherapy production.

Previously, we reported successful cellular expansion of a murine colorectal carcinoma cell line (CT-26) using a three-dimensional (3D) engineered extracellular matrix (EECM) fibrillar scaffold structure. CCL-247 were grown over a limited time period of 8 days on 3D EECM or tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS). Cells were then assayed for growth, electroporation efficiency and Vigil manufacturing release criteria.

Prognostic Impact of Inflammation-Based Factors in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Achieving Pathological Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Surgery.

Background: Patients achieving pathological complete response (pCR) post-neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and surgery for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have a favorable prognosis. However, recurrence occurs in approximately 20-30% of all patients, with few studies evaluating their prognostic factors. We identified these prognostic factors, including inflammation-based markers, in patients with ESCC showing pCR after nCRT and surgery.

Memristive Monte Carlo DropConnect crossbar array enabled by device and algorithm co-design.

Device and algorithm co-design aims to develop energy-efficient hardware that directly implements complex algorithms and optimizes algorithms to match the hardware's characteristics. Specifically, neuromorphic computing algorithms are constantly growing in complexity, necessitating an ongoing search for hardware implementations capable of handling these intricate algorithms. Here, we present a memristive Monte Carlo DropConnect (MC-DC) crossbar array developed through a hardware algorithm co-design approach.

Culture-based susceptibility-guided tailored versus empirical concomitant therapy as first-line Helicobacter pylori treatment: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: With the increasing resistance to antimicrobial agents, susceptibility-guided tailored therapy has been emerging as an ideal strategy for Helicobacter pylori treatment. However, susceptibility-guided tailored therapy requires additional cost, time consumption, and invasive procedure (endoscopy) and its superiority over empirical quadruple therapy as the first-line H. pylori treatment remains unclear.