Potential role of two-dimensional shear wave elastography, including liver stiffness measurement and dispersion slope, for management of chronic hepatitis B.

Purpose: This study assessed the use of liver stiffness (LS) and dispersion slope (DS) in classifying patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) by the necessity of antiviral treatment.

Methods: A retrospective review examined 249 patients with CHB (male:female, 107:142; mean age, 53±14 years) between April 2018 and March 2022. Patients for whom treatment was indicated, termed group 1, exhibited either serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase levels not exceeding five times the upper limit of normal and LS >13 kPa, or hepatitis B virus DNA >2,000 IU/mL and ALT >40 IU/L.

Integrated proteomic and genomic analysis to identify predictive biomarkers for valproate response in bipolar disorder: a 6-month follow-up study.

Background: Several genetic studies have been undertaken to elucidate the intricate interplay between genetics and drug responses in bipolar disorder (BD). However, there has been notably limited research on biomarkers specifically linked to valproate, with only a few studies investigating integrated proteomic and genomic factors in response to valproate treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to identify biological markers for the therapeutic response to valproate treatment in BD.

Effects of Dynamic Stretching Combined with Manual Therapy on Pain, ROM, Function, and Quality of Life of Adhesive Capsulitis.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dynamic stretching combined with manual therapy on pain, range of motion, function, and quality of life in patients with adhesive capsulitis. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: the dynamic stretching combined with manual therapy (DSMT) group ( = 17) and the static stretching combined with manual therapy (SSMT) group ( = 17). Both groups received manual therapy for 10 min and two sessions per week for 4 weeks.

Efficacy of γ-linolenic acid, Vitis vinifera extract, and acetyl-L-carnitine combination therapy for improving arterial stiffness in Korean adults: Real-world evidence.

Atherosclerosis is associated with various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Measurement of arterial stiffness using pulse wave velocity (PWV) enables assessment of atherosclerosis progression in individuals. The authors screened patients with asymptomatic atherosclerosis, based on the PWV findings, to evaluate appropriate early interventions and assess the efficacy of γ-linolenic acid, Vitis vinifera extract, and acetyl-L-carnitine triple combination therapy in atherosclerosis prevention.

Factors Affecting Nurse Retention Intention: With a Focus on Shift Nurses in South Korea.

This study aims to investigate the factors affecting shift nurses' retention to solve the nurse shortage problem. The independent variables were general characteristics, stress response, work-life balance, and grit. The subjects for the study were 214 nurses working in three shifts at three general hospitals in Korea.

A Measles Outbreak in a Local Children's Hospital in Korea, 2019.

A measles outbreak with 20 confirmed cases occurred at a local children's hospital in Daejeon from March 28 to April 21, 2019. The index patient was a 7-month-old girl with a recent history of travel to Vietnam. Contact tracing, active surveillance, and post-exposure prophylaxis were conducted by health authorities.

The Mediated Effect of Sports Confidence on Competitive State Anxiety and Perceived Performance of Basketball Game.

This study aimed to determine the mediating effect of sports confidence on competitive state anxiety and perceived performance basketball game. This study was conducted on 219 Korean basketball players, including 101 men and 118 women who were either high school students (42), university students (96), or professional basketball players (81). The Sources of Sport Confidence Questionnaire (SSCQ), Revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2R), and the perceived performance questionnaire was used to measure sports confidence, competitive state anxiety, and perceived performance, respectively.

The Prevalence of Symptomatic Congenital Cytomegalovirus Disease in Korea; A 15-Year Multicenter Study and Analysis of Big Data From National Health Insurance System.

The birth prevalence of symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) disease among live birth in Korea from a multicenter study was 0.06% during 2001-2015 with increasing frequency. The administrative prevalence of cCMV infection by big-data analysis from the national health insurance system was 0.

Comparison of postoperative back pain between paramedian and midline approach for thoracic epidural anesthesia.

Background: The development of back pain following epidural analgesia is one reason for patient refusal of neuraxial analgesia. The primary endpoint of this study was to compare the incidence and severity of back pain following midline and paramedian epidural technique. The secondary endpoint was to identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of back pain.

A Multi-Center, Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Phase III Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Antiviral Activity and Safety of DA-2802 (Tenofovir Disoproxil Orotate) and Viread (Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate) in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients.

Background: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF, Viread) had been used as a standard treatment option of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DA-2802 (tenofovir disoproxil orotate) compared to TDF.

Methods: The present study was a double blind randomized controlled trial.

Antibody Responses to SARS-CoV-2 in Children With COVID-19.

Background: The immunologic features of children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are not clearly delineated. This study was conducted to evaluate SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses in children with COVID-19.

Methods: The levels of anti-spike (S) IgG, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, and neutralizing antibody (NAb) were measured during various time points in children <19 years of age with COVID-19 in South Korea from February 2020 to September 2020.

Development of a sense of community scale for South Korean military personnel.

In this study, we developed and validated a scale that measures the sense of community among Korean military personnel. We conducted the research in three stages. In the first preliminary stage, we administered an open-ended questionnaire to 47 military officers in order to develop the initial questions.

Regulation of Hippo signaling by metabolic pathways in cancer.

Hippo signaling is known to maintain balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis via tight regulation of factors, such as metabolic cues, cell-cell contact, and mechanical cues. Cells directly recognize glucose, lipids, and other metabolic cues and integrate multiple signaling pathways, including Hippo signaling, to adjust their proliferation and apoptosis depending on nutrient conditions. Therefore, the dysregulation of the Hippo signaling pathway can promote tumor initiation and progression.

SARS-CoV-2 transmission in schools in Korea: nationwide cohort study.

Objective: There is an urgent public need to readdress the school closure strategies. We aimed to describe the epidemiology of COVID-19 in schools and school-aged children to understand their roles in transmitting SARS-CoV-2 in Korea.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

[The Effect of Anticoagulant in Patients with Cirrhosis Associated with Acute Portal Vein Thrombosis].

The treatment of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) has been controversial, and it is generally case- and institution-dependent. The occurrence of acute or extensive PVT is critical and requires urgent treatment because it is usually accompanied by symptoms, particularly when total occlusion occurs, causing acute decompensation of liver disease. Even in severe cases, drug selection and treatment duration are determined based on each institution's experience.