Behavior of Small, Asymptomatic, Nonfunctioning Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (NF-PNETs).

Small nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PNETs) usually exhibit minimal or no growth over many years. However, there is a controversy regarding the optimal management of incidentally discovered, small NF-PNETs. This study aimed to gain insights into tumor behavior and potential strategies for clinical management.

Considering long-term care insurance for middle-income countries: comparing South Korea with Japan and Germany.

Financing and provision of long-term care is an increasingly important concern for many middle-income countries experiencing rapid population aging. We examine three countries (South Korea, Japan, and Germany) that use social insurance to finance medical care and have developed long-term care insurance (LTCI) systems. These countries have adopted different approaches to LTCI design within the social insurance framework.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Urolithiasis in Patients with Crohn's Disease.

Background: The incidence of urinary tract calculi is thought to be higher in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than that in the general population. However, few data are available about urolithiasis in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). We investigated the incidence of urolithiasis and the risk factors for urolithiasis in patients with CD.

KML001 enhances anticancer activity of gemcitabine against pancreatic cancer cells.

Background/aim: Gemcitabine is a drug commonly used to treat pancreatic cancer but chemoresistance to it is a common clinical issue. KML001 (sodium meta-arsenite) has demonstrated certain antitumor activity. The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of KML001 on the anticancer activity of gemcitabine against pancreatic cancer cells.

Limited role of bone marrow aspiration and biopsy in the initial staging work-up of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma in Korea.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of disseminated gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and the role of bone marrow study in the initial staging work-up.

Methods: A total of 194 patients with gastric MALT lymphoma was enrolled. The incidence of disseminated disease was evaluated in the initial staging work-up.

The role of the CpG island methylator phenotype on survival outcome in colon cancer.

Background/aims: CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP)- high colorectal cancers (CRCs) have distinct clinicopathologi-cal features from their CIMP-low/negative CRC counterparts. However, controversy exists regarding the prognosis of CRC according to the CIMP status. Therefore, this study examined the prognosis of Korean patients with colon cancer according to the CIMP status.

Endoscopic resection for undifferentiated early gastric cancer: focusing on histologic discrepancies between forceps biopsy-based and endoscopic resection specimen-based diagnosis.

Background: Before endoscopic resection (ER), a considerable number of undifferentiated early gastric cancer (UD-EGC) cases were initially diagnosed as atypical glands, dysplasia, or differentiated EGC (D-EGC) based on forceps biopsy specimens. As UD-EGC carries a high risk of resection margin involvement, identifying the predictive factors for UD-EGC cases with histologic discrepancy (HD) is of clinical importance.

Aims: To investigate the outcomes of ER for UD-EGC and to identify the predictive factors for UD-EGC with HD.

Is a second-look endoscopy necessary after endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric neoplasm?

Background/aims: Second-look endoscopy is performed to check for the possibility of post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) bleeding and to perform prophylactic hemostasis in most hospitals; however, there is little evidence about the efficacy of second-look endoscopy. We investigated whether second-look endoscopy after ESD is useful in the prevention of post-ESD bleeding.

Methods: A total of 550 lesions with gastric epithelial neoplasms in 502 patients (372 men and 130 women) were treated with ESD between August 18, 2009 and August 18, 2010.

KML001 inhibits cell proliferation and invasion in pancreatic cancer cells through suppression of NF-κB and VEGF-C.

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis and the efficacy of chemotherapy is limited. KML001 (sodium meta-arsenite) has been demonstrated to have anticancer activity against some solid cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of KML001 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells.

Outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for differentiated-type early gastric cancer with histological heterogeneity.

Background: Long-term clinical outcomes after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is unclear for differentiated-type-predominant early gastric cancer (EGC) mixed with undifferentiated component (MUC-EGC). Therefore, the role and appropriate indication of ESD for MUC-EGC remain to be evaluated.

Methods: Between 2007 and 2011, 1,577 differentiated-type EGC lesions [1,408 pure differentiated-type (PuD)-EGCs and 169 MUC-EGCs] in 1,527 consecutive patients were treated by ESD.

Association between markers of glucose metabolism and risk of colorectal adenoma.

Background & Aims: Diabetes is a risk factor for colorectal cancer. We studied the association between markers of glucose metabolism and metabolic syndrome and the presence of colorectal adenomas in a large number of asymptomatic men and women attending a health screening program in South Korea. We also investigated whether these associations depend on adenoma location.

Poorly differentiated component in gastric pinch biopsies predicts submucosal invasion.

Background: Endoscopic resection has become standard therapy for selected patients with early gastric carcinoma (EGC). However, the preoperative diagnostic accuracy for excluding submucosal (SM) invasion is not precise. Moreover, histologic features predicting SM invasion in gastric carcinomas (SMiGC) have not been studied extensively.

The prevalence of colorectal adenomas in asymptomatic Korean men and women.

Background: Colorectal cancer incidence is rapidly rising in many Asian countries, with rates approaching those of Western countries. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and trends of colorectal adenomas by age, sex, and risk strata in asymptomatic Koreans.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of 19,372 consecutive participants aged 20 to 79 years undergoing screening colonoscopy at the Center for Health Promotion of the Samsung Medical Center in Korea from January 2006 to June 2009.

Association between Plasma Levels of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 and Colorectal Neoplasms.

Background/aims: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is important for tumor growth, Invasion, and metastasis. In this study, we investigated the relationship between plasma levels of PAI-1 and colorectal adenomas.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 3,136 subjects who underwent colonoscopy as a screening exam.

The association between cecal insertion time and colorectal neoplasm detection.

Background: Information on the impact of cecal insertion time on colorectal neoplasm detection is limited. Our objective was to determine the association between cecal insertion time and colorectal neoplasm detection rate in colonoscopy screening.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 12,679 consecutive subjects aged 40-79 years undergoing screening colonoscopy in routine health check-ups at the Center for Health Promotion of the Samsung Medical Center from December 2007 to June 2009.

Colorectal cancer-susceptibility single-nucleotide polymorphisms in Korean population.

Background And Aim: Considering the significant racial and ethnic diversity in genetic variation, it is unclear whether the genome-wide association studies-identified colorectal cancer (CRC)-susceptibility single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) discovered in European populations are also relevant to the Korean population. However, studies on CRC-susceptibility SNPs in Koreans are limited.

Methods: To investigate the racial and ethnic diversity of CRC-susceptibility genetic variants, we genotyped for the established European CRC-susceptibility SNPs in 198 CRC cases and 329 controls in Korea.

Management strategy for small duodenal carcinoid tumors: does conservative management with close follow-up represent an alternative to endoscopic treatment?

Background/aims: Limited data exist regarding the natural history of duodenal carcinoid tumors and the efficacy of endoscopic treatment.

Methods: A total of 27 patients with duodenal carcinoid tumors were enrolled. All tumors were located outside the periampullary region and were ≤10 mm in size.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic treatment for nonampullary sporadic duodenal adenomas.

Background: Nonampullary sporadic duodenal adenomas (NSDAs) are uncommon mucosal neoplasms with malignant potential. Recently, endoscopic treatment is used for NSDA with increasing frequency.

Aims: This study therefore aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic treatment for NSDA.

Inhibition of SCAMP1 suppresses cell migration and invasion in human pancreatic and gallbladder cancer cells.

Lymph node (LN) metastasis is one of the most important risk factors for the prognosis of pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to identify novel LN metastasis-associated markers and therapeutic targets for pancreatic and gallbladder cancers. DNA microarray analysis was carried out to identify genes differentially expressed between 17 pancreatic cancer tissues with LN metastasis and 17 pancreatic cancer tissues without LN metastasis.

Factors associated with vaccination among inflammatory bowel disease patients in Korea.

Background/aims: Vaccinations are generally recommended in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, several studies showed low rates of vaccinations in IBD patients. Furthermore, vaccination rate among IBD patients in Korea has never been investigated.

The association of serum lipids with colorectal adenomas.

Objectives: There is suggestive but sparse evidence that dyslipidemia is associated with colorectal neoplasms. We investigated the association of serum lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations with the prevalence of colorectal adenomas.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of 19,281 consecutive participants aged 40-79 years undergoing screening colonoscopy at the Center for Health Promotion of the Samsung Medical Center in Korea from January 2006 to June 2009.

Alcohol dehydrogenase, iron containing, 1 promoter hypermethylation associated with colorectal cancer differentiation.

Background: The aberrant methylation of CpG islands in the promoter is associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis. In our previous study, the promoter of alcohol dehydrogenase, iron containing, 1 (ADHFE1) was most highly methylated in CRC compared to normal colorectal mucosa. In this study, we examined the expression and function of the ADHFE1 in CRC.

Should preoperative chest CT be recommended to all colon cancer patients?

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative chest computed tomography (CT) and the risk factors for lung metastasis in colon cancer patients without liver metastasis who had negative findings on initial chest X-ray (CXR).

Background: Preoperative staging with chest CT is recommended in colon cancer patients. However, there have been only scant data on the clinical efficacy.

Characteristics of esophageal proper muscle in patients with non-cardiac chest pain using high-frequency intraluminal ultrasound.

Background And Aim: It is unclear which mechanisms play a predominant role in the pathogenesis of esophageal non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). We aimed to examine the features of esophageal proper muscle and esophageal contractility using a high-frequency intraluminal ultrasound (HFIUS) in patients with NCCP.

Methods: A total of 68 patients with NCCP were classified into two groups according to the results of typical reflux symptoms and/or esophagogastroduodenoscopy and/or 24-h esophageal pH monitoring: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-positive NCCP (n = 34) and GERD-negative NCCP groups (n = 34).