Effectiveness of ERAS program on postoperative recovery after gastric cancer surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Previous studies have reported the effectiveness of the "enhanced recovery after surgery" program in patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery, mostly based on the 2014 gastrectomy guidelines. Therefore, based on subsequent advancements in perioperative management, this randomized, controlled, open-label, single-center study aimed to assess the impact of a recent evidence-based multimodal enhanced recovery after surgery program on the quality of early recovery after gastric cancer surgery.

Materials And Methods: This study included adult patients scheduled to undergo elective laparoscopic or robotic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Inter-rater variability for the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification in patients undergoing hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery (MILESTONE-2): international survey among surgeons and anaesthesiologists.

Background: Patients undergoing hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery are typically preoperatively assessed using the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, which is also used for case-mix adjustment when comparing centre outcomes. Studies determining the inter-rater variability of the ASA classification within hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery are currently lacking.

Methods: An international survey was collected and a case-vignette study was performed (November 2022-April 2023) regarding the ASA classification in patients undergoing hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery among anaesthesiologists and surgeons from (inter)national societies.

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.

Validation of the Korean version of defense and veterans pain rating scale for assessment of postoperative pain: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: The defense and veterans pain rating scale (DVPRS) is a pain assessment tool combining a numerical rating scale (NRS) with descriptive words, colors, and facial expressions. This study aimed to validate the Korean version of the DVPRS (K-DVPRS) for postoperative pain assessment.

Methods: This study included patients who underwent elective laparoscopic or robotic abdominal surgery.

Reduction of postoperative pain and opioid consumption by VVZ-149, first-in-class analgesic molecule: A confirmatory phase 3 trial of laparoscopic colectomy.

Study Objective: VVZ-149 is a small molecule that inhibits the glycine transporter type 2 and the serotonin receptor 5-hydroxytryptamine 2 A. In this Phase 3 study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of VVZ-149 as a single-use injectable analgesic for treating moderate to severe postoperative pain after laparoscopic colectomy.

Design: Randomized, parallel group, double-blind, Phase 3 clinical trial (Trial no.

Continuous preperitoneal versus thoracic epidural analgesia in open pancreatoduodenectomy: randomized clinical trial.

Background: Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA), once the standard for pain management in major abdominal operations, is associated with postoperative complications, making preperitoneal continuous wound infiltration (CWI) a promising alternative. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of CWI and TEA in managing postoperative pain after open pancreatoduodenectomy.

Methods: In a single-centre, randomized, open-label non-inferiority trial, adult patients undergoing elective open pancreatoduodenectomy were assigned to either CWI or TEA for pain management.

Structural and Functional Insights into Dishevelled-Mediated Wnt Signaling.

Dishevelled (DVL) proteins precisely control Wnt signaling pathways with many effectors. While substantial research has advanced our understanding of DVL's role in Wnt pathways, key questions regarding its regulatory mechanisms and interactions remain unresolved. Herein, we present the recent advances and perspectives on how DVL regulates signaling.

Exploring DIX-DIX Homo- and Hetero-Oligomers in Wnt Signaling with AlphaFold2.

Wnt signaling is involved in embryo development and cancer. The binding between the DIX domains of Axin1/2, Dishevelled1/2/3, and Coiled-coil-DIX1 is essential for Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Structural and biological studies have revealed that DIX domains are polymerized through head-to-tail interface interactions, which are indispensable for activating β-catenin Wnt signaling.

Performance of ChatGPT in the In-Training Examination for Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine Residents in South Korea: Observational Study.

Background: ChatGPT has been tested in health care, including the US Medical Licensing Examination and specialty exams, showing near-passing results. Its performance in the field of anesthesiology has been assessed using English board examination questions; however, its effectiveness in Korea remains unexplored.

Objective: This study investigated the problem-solving performance of ChatGPT in the fields of anesthesiology and pain medicine in the Korean language context, highlighted advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), and explored its potential applications in medical education.

Comparison of two different preload targets of stroke volume variation during kidney transplantation: a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Maintaining adequate preload during kidney transplantation (KT) is important for graft function. We evaluated whether a high or low normal target for a dynamic preload index of stroke volume variation (SVV) would impact graft function during living donor KT.

Methods: We compared haemodynamic management algorithms using two different targets of SVV: SVV6% group (n = 30) versus SVV12% group (n = 30).

Treatment Patterns and Persistence Among Patients Newly Diagnosed With Migraine in South Korea: A Retrospective Analysis of Health Claims Data.

Background And Purpose: Migraine is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases worldwide. Although diverse treatment regimens have been recommended, there is insufficient evidence for which treatment patterns to apply in routine clinical settings.

Methods: We used nationwide claims data from South Korea for 2015-2021 to identify incident migraine patients with at least one prescription for migraine.

Early postoperative fever as a predictor of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a single-center retrospective observational study.

Background: The connection between early postoperative fever and clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate this association and assess the predictive value of early postoperative fever for CR-POPF.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included adult patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at a tertiary teaching hospital between 2007 and 2019.

A smart device application for acute pain service in surgical patients at a tertiary hospital in South Korea: a prospective observational feasibility study.

Background: Pain assessment and patient education are essential for successful postoperative pain management. However, the provision of personnel for performing these tasks is often insufficient. Recently, attempts have been made to implement smartphone applications for educating and monitoring surgical patients.

Characterization of lung function impairment and pathological changes induced by chronic lead and cadmium inhalation: Insights from a mouse model study.

Exposure to environmental heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) is a global concern due to their widespread presence. However, the specific pulmonary effects of inhaled exposure, especially related to long-term effects, remain poorly understood. In this study, we developed a novel mouse model of Pb and Cd inhalation to mimic real-world conditions and investigate pulmonary effects.

Clinical and Radiological Outcomes in C2 Recapping Laminoplasty for the Pathologies in the Upper Cervical Spine.

Objective: To evaluate C2 muscle preservation effect and the radiological and clinical outcomes after C2 recapping laminoplasty.

Methods: Fourteen consecutive patients who underwent C2 recapping laminoplasty around C1-2 level were enrolled. To evaluate muscle preservation effect, the authors conducted a morphological measurement of extensor muscles between the operated and nonoperated side.

Volatile Anesthetic Use Versus Total Intravenous Anesthesia for Patients Undergoing Heart Valve Surgery: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Background: Many studies have suggested that volatile anesthetic use may improve postoperative outcomes after cardiac surgery compared to total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) owing to its potential cardioprotective effect. However, the results were inconclusive, and few studies have included patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

Methods: This nationwide population-based study included all adult patients who underwent heart valve surgery between 2010 and 2019 in Korea based on data from a health insurance claim database.

Preoperative COVID-19 and Postoperative Mortality in Cancer Surgery: A South Korean Nationwide Study.

Background: We evaluated the impact of preoperative COVID-19 on early postoperative mortality in patients undergoing time-sensitive cancer surgery.

Methods: This retrospective, nationwide cohort study included adult patients who underwent various cancer (thyroid, breast, stomach, colorectal, hepatobiliary, genitourinary, lung, and multiple cancer) surgeries under general anesthesia in South Korea in 2022. Patients were grouped according to the duration from the date of COVID-19 confirmation to the date of surgery (0-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks, 5-6 weeks, and ≥7 weeks).

Beyond measurement: a deep dive into the commonly used pain scales for postoperative pain assessment.

This review explores the essential methodologies for effective postoperative pain management, focusing on the need for thorough pain assessment tools, as underscored in various existing guidelines. Herein, the strengths and weaknesses of commonly used pain scales for postoperative pain-the Visual Analog Scale, Numeric Rating Scale, Verbal Rating Scale, and Faces Pain Scale-are evaluated, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate assessment tools based on factors influencing their effectiveness in surgical contexts. By emphasizing the need to comprehend the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for these scales in evaluating new analgesic interventions and monitoring pain trajectories over time, this review advocates recognizing the limitations of common pain scales to improve pain assessment strategies, ultimately enhancing postoperative pain management.

Overview of AlphaFold2 and breakthroughs in overcoming its limitations.

Predicting three-dimensional (3D) protein structures has been challenging for decades. The emergence of AlphaFold2 (AF2), a deep learning-based machine learning method developed by DeepMind, became a game changer in the protein folding community. AF2 can predict a protein's three-dimensional structure with high confidence based on its amino acid sequence.

Influence of Aza-Glycine Substitution on the Internalization of Penetratin.

The cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) penetratin has gained much attention over many years due to its potential role as a transporter for a broad range of cargo into cells. The modification of penetratin has been extensively investigated too. Aza-peptides are peptide analogs in which one or more of the amino residues are replaced by a semicarbazide.