Occult Blood in Feces Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke and Myocardial Infarction: A Nationwide Population Study.

Background Although occult hemoglobin in feces is universally valued as a screening tool for colorectal cancer (CRC), only few studies investigated the clinical meaning of fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in other diseases. We evaluated the clinical utility of FIT in patients with cardiovascular diseases (namely, ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction [MI]). Methods and Results Using the National Health Insurance database, participants (aged >50 years) with CRC screening records from 2009 to 2012 were screened and followed up.

Sex differences in clinical characteristics and their influence on clinical outcomes in an observational cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is more prevalent in women, but sex differences remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to elucidate sex differences in clinical characteristics and their potential impact on clinical outcomes in a large Korean cohort of patients with RA.

Methods: In total, 5376 RA patients from the KORean Observational study Network for Arthritis (KORONA) database were examined at baseline and for 3 consecutive years using the disease activity score 28 (DAS28), health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), and patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

SeSaMe: Metagenome Sequence Classification of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi-associated Microorganisms.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are plant root symbionts that play key roles in plant growth and soil fertility. They are obligate biotrophic fungi that form coenocytic multinucleated hyphae and spores. Numerous studies have shown that diverse microorganisms live on the surface of and inside their mycelia, resulting in a metagenome when whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data are obtained from sequencing AMF cultivated in vivo.

SeSaMe PS Function: Functional Analysis of the Whole Metagenome Sequencing Data of the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi.

In this study, we introduce a novel bioinformatics program, Spore-associated Symbiotic Microbes Position-specific Function (SeSaMe PS Function), for position-specific functional analysis of short sequences derived from metagenome sequencing data of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The unique advantage of the program lies in databases created based on genus-specific sequence properties derived from protein secondary structure, namely amino acid usages, codon usages, and codon contexts of 3-codon DNA 9-mers. SeSaMe PS Function searches a query sequence against reference sequence database, identifies 3-codon DNA 9-mers with structural roles, and creates a comparative dataset containing the codon usage biases of the 3-codon DNA 9-mers from 54 bacterial and fungal genera.

Prognostic Stratification of Patients with Burkitt Lymphoma Using Serum β2-microglobulin Levels.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of serum β2-microglobulin for patients with Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and to propose a risk-stratifying classification system.

Materials And Methods: A prospective registry-based cohort study of BL patients treated with dose-intensive or effective dose-adjusted chemotherapies (n=81) was conducted. Survival outcomes were compared based on previously reported risk groups and/or serum β2-microglobulin levels.

The Many Uses of p53 Immunohistochemistry in Gynecological Pathology: Proceedings of the ISGyP Companion Society Session at the 2020 USCAP Annual9 Meeting.

Ancillary immunohistochemistry (IHC) has become a reliable adjunct for subclassification of gynecological neoplasms. An important recent development was optimization and validation of p53 IHC, where 3 abnormal IHC patterns (nuclear overexpression, complete absence, cytoplasmic) were shown to predict underlying TP53 mutations with high accuracy in ovarian carcinomas. p53 IHC now helps in distinguishing high-grade serous from low-grade serous carcinomas.

The Attitudes of Physicians and the General Public toward Prognostic Disclosure of Different Serious Illnesses: a Korean Nationwide Study.

Background: Although international guidelines recommend palliative care approaches for many serious illnesses, the palliative needs of patients with serious illnesses other than cancer are often unmet, mainly due to insufficient prognosis-related discussion. We investigated physicians' and the general public's respective attitudes toward prognostic disclosure for several serious illnesses.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 928 physicians, sourced from 12 hospitals and the Korean Medical Association, and 1,005 members of the general public, sourced from all 17 administrative divisions in Korea.

Evaluation of Studies on the Measurement Properties of Self-Reported Instruments.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate studies on the measurement properties of self-reported instruments.

Method: This descriptive review included studies on measurement properties that were reported in Asian Nursing Research over a five-year period from 2016 to September 2020. Nine key measurement properties were reviewed for each study: content validity, structural validity, internal consistency, cross-cultural validity/measurement invariance, reliability, measurement error, criterion validity, hypotheses-testing construct validity, and responsiveness.

The antagonistic effect of magnesium hydroxide particles on vascular endothelial activation induced by acidic PLGA degradation products.

Although drug-eluting stents (DESs) are mainly coated with biodegradable polymers such as PLGA and PLLA, their acidic degradation products can alter the local microenvironment and affect the homeostasis of adjacent tissue. Previously, we developed anti-inflammatory PLGA-based materials including magnesium hydroxide (MH) to relieve the side effects caused by PLGA degradation. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of its protective effects has not yet been clarified.

Septal deviation correction methods and surgical considerations in turbinoplasty.

Nasal septoplasty is often required to correct a cosmetic deformity, which is a common reason for patients to present to a plastic surgeon. If nasal septoplasty is insufficient, a residual deformity or nasal obstruction may remain after surgery. Even if the nasal septum is corrected to an appropriate position, nasal congestion could be exacerbated if the turbinate on the other side is not also corrected.

Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Kefir Grain Ameliorate Intestinal Inflammation via Regulation of Proinflammatory Pathway and Tight Junction Integrity.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effect of PRCC-1301-derived extracellular vesicles (PRCC-1301 EVs) on intestinal inflammation and intestinal barrier function. Human intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) Caco-2 were treated with PRCC-1301 EVs and then stimulated with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Real-time RT-PCR revealed that PRCC-1301 EVs inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in Caco-2 cells.

Effect of Ezetimibe on Glucose Metabolism and Inflammatory Markers in Adipose Tissue.

Despite numerous studies, the effects of ezetimibe on glucose metabolism are poorly understood. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of ezetimibe on glucose metabolism and the expression of inflammatory markers. Thirteen rats were randomly assigned to an ezetimibe ( = 6) or control group ( = 7).

A prognostic index for extranodal marginal-zone lymphoma based on the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue International Prognostic Index and serum β2-microglobulin levels.

The mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) International Prognostic Index (IPI) was recently proposed as a prognostic index for patients with MALT lymphoma. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the serum β2-microglobulin level in the context of MALT-IPI, and we proposed a new prognostic index. Survival outcomes were analysed with regard to β2-microglobulin level, MALT-IPI, and the new prognostic index in MALT lymphoma patients (n = 571).

Tuberculosis risk with biologics by screening-guided preventive strategy in rheumatoid arthritis under intermediate tuberculosis burden.

Objectives: We aimed to compare tuberculosis (TB) risk during biologics treatment between patients with RA who did (prophylaxis) and did not (non-prophylaxis) undergo chemoprophylaxis following pre-biologic latent TB screening in Korea of an intermediate TB burden.

Methods: Using the 2002-16 Korea National Health Insurance database, we conducted a cohort study examining TB risk, defined by International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision codes plus anti-TB drugs, among RA patients initiating a biologic drug with and without chemoprophylaxis after screening triage for latent TB. To control baseline confounding, we used propensity score-based fine stratification (PSS) and weighting.

Baseline disease activity influences subsequent achievement of patient acceptable symptom state in Sjögren's syndrome.

Objectives: To investigate longitudinal changes of the EULAR SS Patient-Reported Index (ESSPRI) and EULAR SS Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), and identify factors associated with patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) in patients with primary SS (pSS).

Methods: We assessed ESSPRI, ESSDAI, clinical ESSDAI (ClinESSDAI), EULAR Sicca Score, EuroQoL 5-dimension (EQ-5D), Fatigue Severity Score, Beck Depression Inventory, and patient global assessment (PGA) for pSS, and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for glandular and extra-glandular symptoms at baseline and follow-up. The responses to the currently available standards of care were evaluated by the PASS, the minimal clinically important improvement (MCII) of ESSPRI and ESSDAI, and a modified SS Responder Index-30 (mSSRI-30) response.

Effect of Switching from Linagliptin to Teneligliptin Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors in Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and their glycemic control effects are well studied. However, information regarding the effects of switching DPP-4 inhibitors is limited, especially in older patients.

Research Design And Methods: We investigated whether switching from linagliptin to teneligliptin decreases blood glucose in older (≥65 years) T2D patients.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor protects against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice by targeting TRAIL receptor-mediated lipoapoptosis via modulating hepatic dipeptidyl peptidase-4 expression.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) are antidiabetic medications that prevent cleavage of incretin hormones by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4). DPP4 is ubiquitously expressed, and its hepatic DPP4 expression is upregulated under non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) conditions. We investigated the effect of DPP4i treatment on NASH pathogenesis, as well as its potential underlying molecular mechanisms.

Clinical usefulness of anti-muscarinic type 3 receptor autoantibodies in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Objectives: To elucidate the clinical values of anti-M3R in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in the largest cohort for an anti-M3R study.

Methods: The plasma of 361 subjects (156 primary SS [pSS], 62 non-SS-sicca [SICCA], 40 systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], 50 rheumatoid arthritis [RA], and 53 healthy controls [HC]) was screened using our modified On-Cell-Western assay. Saliva from pSS (n=37) compared to SICCA (n=26) was also analysed.

Periodontitis combined with smoking increases risk of the ulcerative colitis: A national cohort study.

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammation of periodontal tissues. The effect of periodontitis on the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains unclear.

Aim: To assessed the risk of IBD among patients with periodontitis, and the risk factors for IBD related to periodontitis.

Phase II study of durvalumab and tremelimumab in pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma: KCSG-LU16-07.

Background: Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is rare with a poor outcome and is resistant to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. The efficacy and safety of durvalumab and tremelimumab for treating recurrent or metastatic PSCs were assessed by a nonrandomized, open-label, phase II study.

Methods: A total of 18 patients with recurrent or metastatic PSC received 1500 mg of durvalumab and 75 mg of tremelimumab every four weeks, followed by 750 mg of durvalumab every two weeks until the disease progressed, or an unacceptable toxicity level was reached.

Anemia is associated with the risk of Crohn's disease, not ulcerative colitis: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

Anemia is a common manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but it remains unclear whether anemia is associated with the development of IBD. We assessed the risk of developing IBD in anemic patients, and stratified the results with respect to their hemoglobin concentrations. A population-based study was conducted using the National Healthcare Insurance Service database in South Korea.

Clinical efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IB (< 4 cm) non-small cell lung cancer patients with high-risk factors.

Background/aims: Adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard of care for resected stage II-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NCSLC). The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage IB (< 4 cm) NSCLC with high-risk factors is controversial.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included 285 stage IB NSCLC patients with high-risk factors according to the 8th edition tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) classification from four academic hospitals.

Hepatic fibrosis is associated with total proteinuria in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes.

The association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and diabetic kidney disease assessed using either albuminuria or proteinuria remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between hepatic steatosis or fibrosis and albuminuria or proteinuria in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).We enrolled 1108 patients with T2D and categorized as 3 groups; non-proteinuria (NP), isolated non-albumin proteinuria (iNAP), and albuminuria.

A New Self-management Scale with a Hierarchical Structure for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to develop a new instrument for measuring self-management with a hierarchical structure [the Diabetes Self-Management Scale (DSMS)] in patients with type 2 diabetes, and evaluate its psychometric properties.

Method: The DSMS instrument was developed in three phases: (1) conceptualization and item generation; (2) content validity and pilot testing; and (3) field testing of its psychometric properties. A convenience sample of 473 participants was recruited in three university hospitals and one regional health center, South Korea.