Publications by authors named "Eun Kang"
Objective: To investigate baseline and change of pulmonary damage biomarkers (serum Krebs von den Lungen 6 [KL-6], human surfactant protein D [hSP-D], and matrix metalloproteinase 7 [MMP-7]) with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) progression.
Methods: In the Korean Rheumatoid Arthritis Interstitial Lung Disease (KORAIL) cohort, a prospective cohort, we enrolled patients with RA and ILD confirmed by chest computed tomography imaging and followed annually. ILD progression was defined as worsening in physiological and radiological domains of the 2022 American Thoracic Society, European Respiratory Society, Japanese Respiratory Society, and Latin American Thoracic Society guideline for progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF).
Purpose: TP53 mutations are common in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We evaluated their clinical impact in patients treated with targeted agents or immunotherapy in the KCSG HN15-16 TRIUMPH trial.
Materials And Methods: We analyzed clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with TP53 mutations in the TRIUMPH trial, a multicenter, biomarker-driven umbrella trial in Korea.
Aims: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a combination of phentermine and delayed-release topiramate (PHEN/TPM CR) versus placebo as an adjunct to standard lifestyle recommendations in Korean adults.
Materials And Methods: This 56-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 4 trial enrolled adults (age 19-70 years) with obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m) at eight sites in South Korea. After a 12-week lifestyle programme, participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive PHEN/TPM CR or placebo.
Objective: We aim to compare the risk of nephrolithiasis among type 2 diabetes patients who initiated sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) versus dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is), individually within stone never- and ever-formers.
Research Design And Methods: Using the 2010-2021 Korea National Health Insurance Service database, we conducted a population-based cohort study, comparing initiators of SGLT2is versus DPP4is. The primary outcome was incident nephrolithiasis.
Article Synopsis
- This study introduces a new catalyst, Fe-iminopyridine, which efficiently synthesizes oxazolidinones using carbon dioxide and aziridines.
- The catalyst operates effectively at 50 °C and 10 bar pressure, promoting a sustainable chemical process with just one component.
- The method successfully converts aziridines with carboxylic acid-derived substituents into useful oxazolidinone products, enhancing their potential applications in pharmaceuticals.
Objectives: We investigated the prevalence of anti-thyroid autoantibodies and thyroid dysfunction, and their association with clinical and laboratory features in Korean patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) without overt thyroid illnesses.
Methods: We consequently included 196 pSS patients (190 women) and cross-sectionally collected clinical and laboratory data including the EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) and Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI). The fatigue-dominant group was defined as those in the highest quartile of the fraction of fatigue, calculated as the ESSPRI fatigue score divided by the total ESSPRI score.
Purpose: Peripheral nerve injuries can lead to lasting functional impairments, impacting movement and quality of life. FK-506, a widely used immunosuppressant, has demonstrated potential in promoting nerve regeneration in addition to its immunosuppressive effects. This study investigates the use of a local reservoir flap to deliver FK-506 directly to the nerve injury site, aiming to enhance nerve regeneration while minimizing systemic immunosuppression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFControlled Formation of Porous Cross-Bar Arrays Using Nano-Transfer Printing.
Materials (Basel)
November 2024
Nano-transfer printing (nTP) has emerged as an effective method for fabricating three-dimensional (3D) nanopatterns on both flat and non-planar substrates. However, most transfer-printed 3D patterns tend to exhibit non-discrete and/or non-porous structures, limiting their application in high-precision nanofabrication. In this study, we introduce a simple and versatile approach to produce highly ordered, porous 3D cross-bar arrays through precise control of the nTP process parameters.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe carbon dioxide removal (CDR) capacity of macroalgae, a crucial component in climate regulation, has gained increasing attention. However, accurately estimating the CDR potential of macroalgae in natural conditions remains challenging, necessitating the use of multiple independent methods to reduce the uncertainties in these estimates. In this study, we compared two methods for estimating net ecosystem production (NEP), a key parameter in determining CDR potential: 1) NEP, derived from seawater carbonate chemistry and 2) NEP, based on photorespiratory measurements using benthic tent incubation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - The study analyzed how poor prognostic factors (PPFs), such as functional limitations and bone erosions, impact remission rates and the need for advanced therapies (b/tsDMARDs) in a large group of Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- - Patients were divided into three groups based on the number of PPFs they had, with Group H (≥3 PPFs) showing more severe disease and poorer health outcomes compared to Groups L (0-1 PPFs) and M (2 PPFs).
- - The findings indicate that patients in Group H found it much harder to achieve remission over five years and were more likely to require b/tsDMARD treatment, suggesting that higher P
Article Synopsis
- In-depth investigation into medical costs before and after biopsies for kidney diseases in South Korea is essential for understanding risks and outcomes.
- The study analyzed data from 1,390 patients diagnosed with glomerulonephritis (GN), tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), and acute tubular necrosis (ATN) between 2012 and 2018, linking clinical data to national medical claims.
- Findings indicate that medical costs usually rise post-biopsy for most kidney diseases, with increased rates of serious health events noted in certain disease categories, highlighting critical epidemiological insights.
Background: Low muscle mass is associated with high insulin resistance and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This study aims to determine whether low muscle mass affects the alterations in myocardial substrate metabolism that are associated with the development of cardiovascular disease.
Method: The study included 299 individuals (182 men and 117 women) who underwent examination at the Severance Health Check-up Center between January 2018 and February 2019.
Article Synopsis
- Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) is a next-generation probiotic that plays a crucial role in regulating the gut-liver-brain axis, especially during liver injury, although its mechanisms are not fully understood.
- Research involving cohorts of liver cirrhosis patients and animal models revealed that cognitive impairment is linked to reduced levels of A. muciniphila, along with changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and serotonin levels.
- Administering A. muciniphila showed promise in improving cognitive dysfunction and reducing tissue damage associated with liver injury, suggesting it could be a potential therapy for liver fibrosis and related cognitive issues.
: This study aimed to develop an embolic agent with short-term embolic effects using cilastatin as the basic material. : The particle size distribution of 25 mg cilastatin-based short-term embolic agents was evaluated microscopically under three different mixing conditions. A total of thirty-six healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Objectives: Despite the mechanistic potential of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) to improve neurologic outcomes, the efficacy of SGLT2i in neurodegenerative disorders among patients with type 2 diabetes is not well established. This population-based cohort study aimed to investigate the association of SGLT2i use with risks of incident dementia and Parkinson disease (PD) in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: This was a retrospective examination of data from a cohort of 1,348,362 participants with type 2 diabetes (≥40 years), who started antidiabetic drugs from 2014 to 2019, evaluated using the Korean National Health Insurance Service Database.
Article Synopsis
- Climate change is affecting where kelp forests grow in the Arctic and sub-Arctic areas.
- A study focused on a specific type of kelp called Eualaria fistulosa, which is found from Japan to southern Alaska.
- Predictions show that by 2100, this kelp might shrink its living area by 9% and even disappear from parts of Alaska if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.
Objective: To compare the risk of dementia associated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in adults aged 40-69 years with type 2 diabetes.
Design: Population based cohort study.
Setting: Korean National Health Insurance Service data, 2013-21.
Article Synopsis
- Scientists studied a plant leaf extract, known for helping with different health issues in Asia, especially for reducing itchiness.
- They found that the extract and its key ingredient, myricitrin, can stop the production of certain chemicals linked to itching in brain cells called microglia and astrocytes.
- This research suggests that these natural ingredients could be used to help relieve itching and treat skin problems.
Importance: Limited data suggest that early palliative care (EPC) improves quality of life (QOL) and survival in patients with advanced cancer.
Objective: To evaluate whether comprehensive EPC improves QOL; relieves mental, social, and existential burdens; increases survival rates; and helps patients develop coping skills.
Design, Setting, And Participants: This nonblinded randomized clinical trial (RCT) recruited patients from 12 hospitals in South Korea from September 2017 to October 2018.
The digital transformation of healthcare in South Korea, accelerated by COVID-19, has led to increased focus on critically ill patients in large hospitals. To address this, a monitoring system was developed to ensure safe inpatient treatment and improve staff efficiency. This aligns with the Medical Data-Centric Hospitals initiative, which leverages data for healthcare innovation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: External ear reconstruction has been a challenging subject for plastic surgeons for decades. Popular methods using autologous costal cartilage or polyethylene still have their drawbacks. With the advance of three-dimensional (3D) printing technique, bioscaffold engineering using synthetic polymer draws attention as an alternative.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: When treating diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO), it remains difficult to determine the presence of residual infection and the optimal treatment after bone resection. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of and prognostic factors in patients with DFO undergoing amputation.
Methods: This retrospective study involved 101 patients with DFO who underwent amputation.
Article Synopsis
- Mesonephric-type adenocarcinomas (MAs) are rare but aggressive ovarian tumors that can be difficult to diagnose due to their origin from Müllerian lesions.
- A study was conducted involving a four-marker immunohistochemical (IHC) panel to distinguish MAs from similar tumors like endometrioid carcinoma, significantly improving diagnostic accuracy among pathologists.
- The findings showed that MAs are linked to a higher risk of early death compared to endometrioid carcinoma, indicating that careful testing and diagnosis are crucial, especially in early-stage disease.
Objective: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large-vessel vasculitis that primarily affects elderly individuals. However, data regarding Korean patients with GCA are scarce owing to its extremely low prevalence in East Asia. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of Korean patients with GCA and their outcomes, focusing on relapse.
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