Risk of depression in glaucoma patients with vision impairment: A nationwide cohort study.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the risk of developing depression in individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma with associated vision impairment.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide, population-based cohort study using data from the Korean National Health Information Database and National Disability Registry. We assessed baseline characteristics such as age, sex, income level, lifestyle factors, anthropometric data, lab results, and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores through diagnostic codes and health screening data.

Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Enhances Melanin Synthesis by Activating the P53 Signaling Pathway in Mel-Ab Melanocytes.

The skin is the largest body organ that can be physiologically affected by exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs). We investigated the effect of RF-EMFs on melanogenesis; Mel-Ab melanocytes were exposed to 1760 MHz radiation with a specific absorption rate of 4.0 W/kg for 4 h/day over 4 days.

Healthcare professionals' perspectives towards the digitalisation of paediatric growth hormone therapies: expert panels in Italy and Korea.

Introduction: To analyse the perspectives of healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding the acceptance of digital health solutions for growth hormone (GH) deficiency care. This study identified factors impacting HCPs' intent to use and recommend digital solutions supporting recombinant-human growth hormone (r-hGH) therapy in Italy and Korea with a use case of connected drug delivery system (Aluetta with Smartdot™) integrated in a platform for GH treatment support (the Growzen™ digital health ecosystem).

Methods: Participatory workshops were conducted in Rome, Italy, and Seoul, Korea, to collect the perspectives of 22 HCPs on various predefined topics.

Risk of avascular necrosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Insights from a nationwide cohort study and the impact of corticosteroid use.

Background And Aim: Corticosteroid use is a risk factor for avascular necrosis (AVN) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are often exposed to higher corticosteroid usage. We investigated the epidemiology and risk factors of AVN in a nationwide population-based cohort of IBD patients.

Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with IBD were identified, and sex- and age-matched participants from the general population were selected in a 1:3 IBD:non-IBD ratio.

Vomiting-induced pharyngeal perforation during bowel preparation for colonoscopy: A case report.

Background: Effective bowel cleansing is essential for a successful colonoscopy. Laxatives, such as polyethylene glycol, are commonly used for bowel preparation. Vomiting is a frequent complication during bowel preparation, and forceful vomiting can potentially lead to esophageal perforation, as reported in several previous cases.

[F]FDG PET/CT is useful in discriminating invasive adenocarcinomas among pure ground-glass nodules: comparison with CT findings-a bicenter retrospective study.

Purpose: Predicting the malignancy of pure ground-glass nodules (GGNs) using CT is challenging. The optimal role of [F]FDG PET/CT in this context has not been clarified. We compared the performance of [F]FDG PET/CT in evaluating GGNs for predicting invasive adenocarcinomas (IACs) with CT.

The risk of open angle glaucoma in young adults with allergic diseases: a Nationwide cohort study.

This study investigated the potential associations between allergic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis) and the development of primary open-angle glaucoma. We utilized authorized data from the Korean National Health Information Database (KNHID), which provides comprehensive medical claims data and information from the National Health Screening Program. We compared the baseline characteristics of subjects with and without allergic diseases and calculated the incidence and risk of glaucoma development.

Ischemic and Inflammatory Ocular Adverse Events Following Different Types of Vaccination for COVID-19 and Their Incidence Analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the ocular adverse event (OAE) and the incidence rate that can occur after the COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods: Patients who visited with an ophthalmologic diagnosis within a month of COVID-19 vaccination were retrospectively analyzed. OAEs were categorized as ischemia and inflammation by their presumed pathogenesis and were compared by types of vaccine: messenger RNA (mRNA) and viral vector vaccine.

A Korean male with Kleefstra syndrome presented with micropenis.

Kleefstra syndrome is caused by chromosome 9q34.3 deletion or heterozygous mutations in the euchromatin histone methyl transferase 1 (EHMT1) gene. It can be accompanied by intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, microcephaly, psychiatric disorders, hypotonia in childhood, hearing loss, heart defects, renal defects, epilepsy, speech anomalies, and obesity.

Histologic features and predicting prognosis in ulcerative colitis patients with mild endoscopic activity.

Background/aims: We aimed to evaluate the histologic features predictive of prognosis and correlate them with endoscopic findings in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) having complete or partial mucosal healing (MH).

Methods: We prospectively collected and reviewed data from patients with UC who underwent colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy with biopsy. Complete and partial MH were defined as Mayo endoscopic subscores (MESs) of 0 and 1, respectively.

Association between localized retinal nerve fiber layer defects in nonglaucomatous eyes and metabolic syndrome: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: We investigated the association between metabolic syndrome and localized retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects in nonglaucomatous subjects.

Methods: We examined 20,385 adults who visited the Health Promotion Center of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital between May 2015 and April 2016.

Prone position PET/CT is useful in reducing gravity-dependent opacity-related [F]fluorodeoxyglucose uptake.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether performing [F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([F]FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the prone position could reduce [F]FDG uptake in dependent lungs.

Methods: Patients who underwent [F]FDG PET/CT in both supine and prone positions from October 2018 to September 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. [F]FDG uptake of dependent and nondependent lungs was analysed visually and semi-quantitatively.

Presence and severity of migraine is associated with development of primary open angle glaucoma: A population-based longitudinal cohort study.

Purpose: To examine the association between the presence and severity of migraine and development of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) using a nationwide population-based longitudinal cohort data.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the Korean National Health Insurance Service for 2,716,562 individuals aged ≥ 40 years and assessed for the development of POAG from 2009 through 2018. Subjects were classified into the following 3 groups: healthy control subjects, subjects with mild migraine, and those with severe migraine.

Metabolic Health, Obesity, and Intraocular Pressure.

Obesity has been associated with increased intraocular pressure (IOP), but the results are inconsistent. Recently, a subgroup of obese individuals with good metabolic profiles were suggested to have better clinical outcomes than normal-weight individuals with metabolic diseases. The relationships between IOP and different combinations of obesity and metabolic health status have not been investigated.

Quantitative electroencephalographic biomarker of pharmacological treatment response in patients with anxiety disorder: a retrospective study.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) biomarker in predicting the response to pharmacological treatment in patients with anxiety disorder. A total of 86 patients were diagnosed with anxiety disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition, and subsequently treated with antidepressants. After 8-12 weeks, the participants were divided into treatment-resistant (TRS) and treatment-response (TRP) groups based on their Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) scores.

Positive Results from the Fecal Immunochemical Test Can Be Related to Dementia: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in South Korea.

Background: The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is widely used in screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), but FIT results can be positive for diseases other than CRC.

Objective: We investigated the association between positive results of FIT and the incidence of dementia using a nationwide database.

Methods: FIT-positive participants were collected from a database provided by the Korean National Health Insurance Service.

Compositional Changes in the Gut Microbiota of Responders and Non-responders to Probiotic Treatment Among Patients With Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background/aims: We aim to evaluate the differences in the microbiome of responders and non-responders, as well as predict the response to probiotic therapy, based on fecal microbiome data in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).

Methods: A multi-strain probiotics that contains (KCTC 11906BP), (KCTC11867BP), (KCTC 11868BP), (KCTC 11858BP), (KCTC 11903BP), (KCTC 11860BP), and (KCTC 11870BP) were used. Patients were categorized into probiotic and placebo groups, and fecal samples were collected from all patients before and at the end of 8 weeks of treatment.

CT Findings of Thymic Epidermoid Cyst in the Anterior Mediastinum: A Case Report and Literature Review.

An epidermoid cyst is a benign tumor found anywhere in the body. However, the occurrence of epidermoid cysts in the thymus is extremely rare, with only six cases reported worldwide. The correct diagnosis of thymic epidermoid cysts is often difficult due to the unusual location and nonspecific imaging findings.