Home High-Flow Nasal Cannula in Patients with Chronic Respiratory Failure: A Literature Review and Suggestions for Clinical Practice.

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a noninvasive respiratory support system that delivers heated (31-38℃), humidified (100%), and oxygen-enriched air at a constant high flow rate (15-60 L/min). Due to its numerous physiological benefits, with added convenience and minimal side effects, HFNC has been increasingly used in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure over the past decade. However, the clinical benefits of long-term HFNC remain uncertain.

Validation of the Korean version of the Bad Sobernheim stress Questionnaire-Brace in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the newly adapted Korean version of the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire-Brace (K-BSSQ-Brace). The original German BSSQ-Brace was translated, back-translated, and underwent a comprehensive cross-cultural adaptation process. The K-BSSQ-Brace and the previously validated Korean version of the Scoliosis Research Society-22 Outcomes Questionnaire (K-SRS-22) were then administered to 120 adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Profile for Brain Disease Research Infrastructure for Data Gathering and Exploration (BRIDGE) Platform.

Brain diseases complexity have necessitated advanced research platforms for better understanding, treatment, and prevention strategies. However, existing brain disease registries face limitations such as incomplete variable sets, lack of standardization, insufficient linkage to external databases, absence of integrated platforms for comprehensive data collection, and lack of continuity. To address these challenges, the Korea National Institute of Health initiated the Brain disease Research Infrastructure for Data Gathering and Exploration (BRIDGE), a national prospective platform designed to overcome the shortcomings of current registries.

Parkinson's Disease Modeling Using Directly Converted 3D Induced Dopaminergic Neuron Organoids and Assembloids.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons and the accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates, yet current models inadequately mimic the complex human brain environment. Recent advances in brain organoid models offer a more physiologically relevant platform for studying PD, however, iPSC-derived brain organoids require long maturation times and may not accurately represent the aged brain's epigenetics and cellular contexts, limiting their applicability for modeling late-onset diseases like PD. In this study, a novel approach for generating 3D-induced dopaminergic (iDA) neuron organoids directly from human fibroblasts is presented.

Intravascular Imaging Predictors Associated With Cardiovascular Events After Complex PCIs.

Background: Intravascular imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been shown to improve clinical outcomes in patients with complex coronary artery lesions compared with angiography-guided PCI. However, the prognostic impact of suboptimal findings on intravascular imaging such as stent underexpansion, malapposition, or dissection is unclear in the era of contemporary drug-eluting stents.

Methods: From RENOVATE-COMPLEX-PCI (Randomized Controlled Trial of Intravascular Imaging Guidance Versus Angiography-Guidance on Clinical Outcomes After Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) which compared imaging-guided PCI with angiography-guided PCI in patients with complex lesions, post-PCI intravascular imaging findings, including minimum stent area (MSA), relative stent underexpansion (MSA≤80% of the average reference lumen area), malapposition, or dissection, were assessed in nonleft main target lesions.

Mean platelet volume as a biomarker for liver fibrosis in patients with Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Accurate assessment of liver fibrosis is essential for the prognosis and management of NAFLD. Mean platelet volume (MPV), an index of platelet activation, has been associated with liver fibrosis in various chronic liver diseases; however, its role in NAFLD remains uncertain.

Nanoscale Resolution Imaging of Whole Mouse Embryos Using Expansion Microscopy.

Nanoscale imaging of whole vertebrates is essential for the systematic understanding of human diseases, yet this goal has not yet been achieved. Expansion microscopy (ExM) is an attractive option for accomplishing this aim; however, the expansion of even mouse embryos at mid- and late-developmental stages, which have fewer calcified body parts than adult mice, is yet to be demonstrated due to the challenges of expanding calcified tissues. Here, we introduce a state-of-the-art ExM technique, termed whole-body ExM, that utilizes cyclic digestion.

Analgesic Efficacy of Repeated Daily Injections Versus Continuous Adductor Canal Block After Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Open-Label, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Total knee arthroplasty is frequently associated with postoperative pain. Continuous adductor canal blocks are widely used for postoperative analgesia. However, the high dislocation rate of nerve block catheters often leads to ineffective pain control.

Discovery and Phase 1 study of a novel monoclonal antibody against human IL-1β for the treatment of IL-1β-mediated diseases.

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a key mediator of innate immunity against pathogen infections. However, dysregulated IL-1β activity is associated with various autoinflammatory, autoimmune, degenerative, atherosclerotic diseases, and cancers. Biologic drugs that neutralize excess IL-1β activity, such as canakinumab, have been effective in treating IL-1β-mediated diseases.

Chronicity of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Inflammatory Arthritis After Immunotherapy Discontinuation: Results From the Canadian Research Group of Rheumatology in Immuno-Oncology Database.

Objective: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) improve overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in many types of malignancies but can result in off-target immune-related adverse events including inflammatory arthritis (ICI-associated inflammatory arthritis [ICI-IA]), which can persist even after ICI cessation. We aimed to examine the proportion of patients with ICI-IA who develop chronic ICI-IA and describe characteristics and outcomes associated with chronic ICI-IA.

Methods: We identified patients from the Canadian Research Group of Rheumatology in Immuno-Oncology retrospective cohort who developed de novo ICI-IA with at least three months of follow-up after ICI cessation.

How Long Should Patients Be Treated With Postcardiotomy Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation? Individual Patient Data Pooled Analysis.

Objectives: To investigate the optimal duration of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiogenic shock refractory to medical therapies after cardiac surgery and whether its prolonged use is justified.

Data Sources: Previously published articles on postcardiotomy venoarterial ECMO.

Study Selection: Articles reporting on the early outcome after postcardiotomy venoarterial ECMO in adult patients were identified through a systematic review of the literature.

Rare Complications in Endoscopic Spinal Surgery: A Narrative Review of Unique Cases.

Study Design: Narrative Review.

Objectives: Endoscopic spine surgery is becoming an increasingly popular approach to treat spinal disease due to its minimally invasive nature. Although certain adverse events are well-reported within the literature, there is a scarcity of information for complications that are rare but still potentially serious.

Prognostic impact of primary surgery in human papillomavirus-independent, advanced or metastatic endocervical adenocarcinoma: A bi-institutional retrospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic impact of primary surgery on patients with HPV-independent, advanced or metastatic endocervical adenocarcinoma (EAC) who typically exhibit poor survival outcomes and resistance to conventional therapies such as chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: A bi-institutional retrospective study was conducted at Samsung Medical Center and Taiwan National University Hospital. Between 2001 and 2023, 92 patients with HPV-independent advanced or metastatic EAC were included.

Whole-brain BOLD responses to graded hypoxic challenges at 7 T, 9.4 T, and 15.2 T: Implications for ultrahigh-field functional MRI and BOLD-dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI.

Purpose: Blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI signals depend on changes in deoxyhemoglobin content, which is associated with baseline cerebral blood volume (CBV) and blood oxygen saturation change. To accurately interpret activation-induced BOLD responses and quantify perfusion values by BOLD dynamic susceptibility contrast (BOLD-DSC) with transient hypoxia, it is critical to assess Δ values in tissue and blood across varying levels of hypoxia and magnetic field strengths (B).

Methods: Whole-brain BOLD responses were examined using 5-s graded hypoxic challenges with 10%, 5%, and 0% O at ultrahigh field strengths of 7 T, 9.

Long-term outcomes of a modified nonflared fully covered self-expandable metal stent for refractory anastomotic biliary strictures after liver transplantation (with video).

Objectives: Although fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS) are used for the management of anastomotic biliary stricture (ABS) after liver transplantation (LT), there is concern about long-term adverse events such as recurrence of stricture. We evaluated the long-term efficacy of a modified nonflared FCSEMS (M-FCSEMS) compared to plastic stents (PS) for refractory ABS after LT.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent placement of an M-FCSEMS (M-FCSEMS group) or multiple PS (PS group) for refractory ABS after LT were enrolled.

Outcomes of Deferring Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Without Physiologic Assessment for Intermediate Coronary Lesions.

Background And Objectives: Outcomes of deferring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without invasive physiologic assessment for intermediate coronary lesions is uncertain. We sought to compare long-term outcomes between medical treatment and PCI of intermediate lesions without invasive physiologic assessment.

Methods: A total of 899 patients with intermediate coronary lesions between 50% and 70% diameter-stenosis were randomized to the conservative group (n=449) or the aggressive group (n=450).

Effects of proton pump inhibitors on gastrointestinal bleeding and cardiovascular outcomes in myocardial infarction patients treated with DAPT.

Background: A discrepancy exists between the European and American guideline recommendations for the routine use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients treated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).

Aims: This study aimed to determine the association between the co-prescription of PPIs and DAPT and the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding and ischaemic events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: A search was conducted using a nationwide Korean claims database to identify patients with AMI undergoing PCI with DAPT.

Targeting TUBB2B inhibits triple-negative breast cancer growth and brain-metastatic colonization.

Background: The triple-negative subtype of breast cancer is particularly challenging to treat due to its aggressiveness with a high risk of brain metastasis, and the lack of effective targeted therapies. Tubulin beta 2B class IIb (TUBB2B), a β-tubulin isoform regulating axon guidance during embryonic development, was found to be overexpressed in various types of cancers including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, its functional roles in breast cancer or metastasis remain unclear.

Biportal endoscopic lumbar discectomy surgery in patients with cauda equina syndrome caused by lumbar herniated intervertebral disc: a retrospective multi-center cohort study.

Background: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a severe neurological condition caused by significant compression of the cauda equina nerve roots. This study evaluates the efficacy of biportal endoscopic (BE) lumbar discectomy in treating CES caused by lumbar herniated intervertebral discs.

Methods: This retrospective case series includes 32 CES patients treated with BE lumbar discectomy from March 2017 to July 2022.

Study Protocol of Expanded Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro-EXP).

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease increases cardiovascular disease risk in young adults.

Although a robust association between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been established, the impact of MASLD on CVD risk in young adults has not been fully evaluated. This population-based study included adults aged 20-39 years who underwent health screening examinations from 2009 to 2012 based on Korean National Health Insurance Service database. MASLD was defined as a fatty liver index ≥ 30 without any other cause of steatosis, and presence of one or more cardiometabolic risk factors.

Predicting cell properties with AI from 3D imaging flow cytometer data.

Predicting the properties of tissues or organisms from the genomics data is widely accepted by the medical community. Here we ask a question: can we predict the properties of each individual cell? Single-cell genomics does not work because the RNA sequencing process destroys the cell, not allowing us to verify our predictions. To test the hypothesis, we investigate the approach of using AI to analyze single-cell images obtained from a 3D imaging flow cytometer.

Small molecule-mediated inhibition of the oxidoreductase ERO1A restrains aggressive breast cancer by impairing VEGF and PD-L1 in the tumor microenvironment.

Cancer cells adapt to harsh environmental conditions by inducing the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), of which ERO1A is a mediator. ERO1A aids protein folding by acting as a protein disulfide oxidase, and under cancer-related hypoxia conditions, it favors the folding of angiogenic VEGFA, leading tumor cells to thrive and spread. The upregulation of ERO1A in cancer cells, oppositely to the dispensability of ERO1A activity in healthy cells, renders ERO1A a perfect target for cancer therapy.