Development of colonic stent simulator using three-dimensional printing technique: a simulator development study in Korea.

Background/aims: Colonic stenting plays a vital role in the management of acute malignant colonic obstruction. The increasing use of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) and the diverse challenges posed by colonic obstruction at various locations underscore the importance of effective training for colonic stent placement.

Methods: All the components of the simulator were manufactured using silicone molding techniques in conjunction with three-dimensional (3D) printing.

Empirical Therapy Versus Tailored Therapy of Helicobacter pylori in Korea: Results of the K-CREATE Study.

Background: The optimal duration of regimens for tailored therapy based on genotypic resistance for clarithromycin has yet to be established.

Aim: This study was a nationwide, multicenter, randomized trial comparing empirical therapy with tailored therapy based on genotypic resistance for first-line eradication of Helicobacter pylori. We also compared the eradication rates of 7- and 14-day regimens for each group.

Assessing risk stratification in long-term outcomes of rectal neuroendocrine tumors following endoscopic resection: a multicenter retrospective study.

Objectives: While endoscopic resection of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) has significantly increased, long-term data on risk factors for recurrence are still lacking. Our aim is to analyze the long-term outcomes of patients with rectal NETs after endoscopic resection through risk stratification.

Methods: In this multicenter retrospective study, we included patients who underwent endoscopic resection of rectal NETs from 2009 to 2018 and were followed for ≥12 months at five university hospitals.

A mouse xenograft long-term replication yields a SARS-CoV-2 Delta mutant with increased lethality.

We recently established a long-term SARS-CoV-2 infection model using lung-cancer xenograft mice and identified mutations that arose in the SARS-CoV-2 genome during long-term propagation. Here, we applied our model to the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, which has increased transmissibility and immune escape compared with ancestral SARS-CoV-2. We observed limited mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Delta during long-term propagation, including two predominant mutations: R682W in the spike protein and L330W in the nucleocapsid protein.

Exploring the Genetic Diversity and Molecular Evolution of Seoul and Hantaan Orthohantaviruses.

Seoul (SEOV) and Hantaan (HTNV) orthohantaviruses are significant zoonotic pathogens responsible for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Here, we investigated the molecular evolution of SEOV and HTNV through phylogenetic and bioinformatic analyses using complete genome sequences of their large (L), medium (M), and small (S) gene segments. Despite similar epizootic cycles and clinical symptoms, SEOV and HTNV exhibited distinct genetic and evolutionary dynamics.

Genome-informed investigation of the molecular evolution and genetic reassortment of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus.

Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a viral pathogen causing significant clinical signs from mild fever with thrombocytopenia to severe hemorrhages. World Health Organization has paid special attention to the dramatic increase in human SFTS cases in China, Japan, and South Korea since the 2010s. The present study investigated the molecular evolution and genetic reassortment of SFTSVs using complete genomic sequences.

A natural variation in the RNA polymerase of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus enhances viral replication and in vivo virulence.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne disease with high mortality in Eastern Asia. The disease is caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV), also known as Dabie bandavirus, which has a segmented RNA genome consisting of L, M, and S segments. Previous studies have suggested differential viral virulence depending on the genotypes of SFTSV; however, the critical viral factor involved in the differential viral virulence is unknown.

Molecular evolution and targeted recombination of SARS-CoV-2 in South Korea.

SARS-CoV-2 variants have continuously emerged globally, including in South Korea. To characterize the molecular evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in South Korea, we performed phylogenetic and genomic recombination analyses using more than 12,000 complete genome sequences collected until October 2022. The variants in South Korea originated from globally identified variants of concern and harbored genetic clade-common and clade-specific amino acid mutations mainly around the N-terminal domain (NTD) or receptor binding domain (RBD) in the spike protein.

Deep learning in negative small-bowel capsule endoscopy improves small-bowel lesion detection and diagnostic yield.

Objectives: Although several studies have shown the usefulness of artificial intelligence to identify abnormalities in small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) images, few studies have proven its actual clinical usefulness. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine whether meaningful findings could be obtained when negative SBCE videos were reanalyzed with a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) model.

Methods: Clinical data of patients who received SBCE for suspected small-bowel bleeding at two academic hospitals between February 2018 and July 2020 were retrospectively collected.

From Pristine to Heteroatom-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots: An Essential Review and Prospects for Future Research.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are carbon-based zero-dimensional materials that have received considerable scientific interest due to their exceptional optical, electrical, and optoelectrical properties. Their unique electronic band structures, influenced by quantum confinement and edge effects, differentiate the physical and optical characteristics of GQDs from other carbon nanostructures. Additionally, GQDs can be synthesized using various top-down and bottom-up approaches, distinguishing them from other carbon nanomaterials.

Five-year Progress of Gastric MALT Lymphoma Presenting as Gastric Outlet Obstruction.

This paper reports a 70-year-old female with gastric extranodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (gastric MALT lymphoma) as a rare case of gastric outlet obstruction. Five years earlier, she initially presented with weight loss and anemia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed multiple gastric and duodenal ulcers with a pyloric deformity, while histology revealed chronic active inflammation and a () infection.

Association between regular physical activity and lower incidence of colorectal cancer in patients with diabetes mellitus: a nationwide cohort study.

Aim: The aim of this work was to investigate the association between changes in physical activity (PA) status and the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with diabetes.

Method: This nationwide population study included 1 439 152 patients with diabetes who underwent a health screening provided by the Korean National Health Insurance Service between January 2009 and December 2012 and a follow-up screening after 2 years. Based on changes in PA status, participants were categorized into four groups: remained inactive, remained active, active-to-inactive and inactive-to-active.

Quantitative multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Helicobacter pylori and clarithromycin resistance.

Background: Identifying clarithromycin resistance is essential for eradicating Helicobacter pylori (HP). Therefore, we evaluated the performance of Allplex™ H.pylori & ClariR Assay (Allplex™) for diagnosing and detecting clarithromycin resistance in HP.

The pattern of metachronous recurrence after endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric adenocarcinoma and dysplasias.

Background/aims: Metachronous recurrence incidences and risk factors following endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric adenocarcinoma and dysplasias were investigated.

Methods: Retrospective review of electronic medical records of patients who underwent gastric ESD at The Catholic University of Korea, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital.

The benefit of the bismuth add-on to the 2-week clarithromycin-based triple regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a propensity score-matched retrospective study.

Background: Bismuth salt is bacteriostatic and bactericidal against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Little is known about the benefit of bismuth itself.

Efficacy and Safety of Fexuprazan in Patients with Acute or Chronic Gastritis.

Background/aims: Fexuprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker that could be of benefit to patients with gastric mucosal injury. The aim of this study was to assess the 2-week efficacy and safety of fexuprazan in patients with acute or chronic gastritis.

Methods: In this study, 327 patients with acute or chronic gastritis who had one or more gastric erosions on endoscopy and subjective symptoms were randomized into three groups receiving fexuprazan 20 mg once a day (q.

[Clinical Impact Assessment and Utilization Prospects of the t(11:18) Chromosomal Translocation in Gastric MALT Lymphoma in Koreans: A Single Center Retrospective Analysis].

Background/aims: The gastric extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (gastric MALT lymphoma) are mostly related to infections. However, chromosomal aberration involving translocation t(11;18) is also frequently reported in these patients.

Methods: The study was a retrospective review and analysis of electronic medical records to assess the factors which affect complete remission (CR) in patients with gastric MALT lymphoma.

Randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fexuprazan compared with esomeprazole in erosive esophagitis.

Background: Fexuprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, reversibly suppresses the K/H-ATPase enzyme in proton pumps within gastric parietal cells. Fexuprazan's suppression of gastric acid was maintained in healthy individuals for 24 h in a dose-dependent manner.

Aim: To compare fexuprazan to esomeprazole and establish its efficacy and safety in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE).

Factors associated with the risk of colorectal neoplasia in young adults under age 40.

Background/aims: Recent epidemiologic studies have shown a continued increase in colorectal cancer incidence among younger adults. Little is known about the factors that contribute to the development of young-onset colorectal neoplasia (CRN).

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed for individuals younger than 40 years who underwent colonoscopy in Seoul St.

Triple Therapy-Based on Tegoprazan, a New Potassium-Competitive Acid Blocker, for First-Line Treatment of Infection: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III, Clinical Trial.

Background/aims: We examined the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan as a part of first-line triple therapy for eradication.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, controlled, multicenter study was performed to evaluate whether tegoprazan (50 mg)-based triple therapy (TPZ) was noninferior to lansoprazole (30 mg)- based triple therapy (LPZ) (with amoxicillin 1 g and clarithromycin 500 mg; all administered twice daily for 7 days) for treating . The primary endpoint was the eradication rate.

Feasibility of robotic thyroidectomy via hairline incision using da Vinci single port system: Initial experience with 40 consecutive cases.

Background: This study aimed to introduce our robotic technique, which can minimize dissection extent using the da Vinci SP robotic system via hairline incision.

Methods: Forty patients underwent robotic thyroidectomy using the da Vinci SP robotic system via a hairline incision between February 2020 and April 2021 at Ulsan University Hospital. All procedures were performed successfully by one surgeon using the SP robotic system.

[Factors Associated with the Clinical Outcomes of Iatrogenic Colonic Perforation].

Background/aims: This study evaluated the incidence of iatrogenic colonic perforation (ICP) in a high-volume center and analyzed the clinical outcomes and associated factors.

Methods: As a retrospective study of the electronic medical records, the whole data of patients who underwent colonoscopy from June 2004 to May 2020 were reviewed.

Results: During 16 years, 69,458 procedures were performed, of which 60,288 were diagnostic and 9,170 were therapeutic.