Circulatory age-associated B cells: Their distinct transcriptomic characteristics and clinical significance in drug-naïve patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Age-associated B cells (ABCs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. However, the global gene expression and clinical significance of circulatory ABCs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain poorly understood. Here, single-cell RNA sequencing identified nine B cell subsets in peripheral blood of RA patients, including ABCs.

Incidence Trends of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Korea for 11 Years (2006-2017).

Background/objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by joint damage. However, no incidence analyses have been conducted on a Korean population since 2013. We aimed to calculate the incidence of RA and examine trends using complete Korean National Health Insurance Service claims data from 2007.

Novel Asymmetrical Linear Stapler: Safety Test and Pathological Assessment in a Porcine Model.

Introduction: Prognosis in patients undergoing resection for lung and gastrointestinal cancers may differ, depending on the microscopic involvement of surgical margins. Linear staplers, widely used for pulmonary or bowel resection, consist of three rows of fasteners on both sides of a resection line. Although multiple rows of fasteners ensure stump and specimen closure, specimen could compromise accurate pathological evaluation of the true surgical margin.

Efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid for bile reflux after distal gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer: A secondary analysis of the PEGASUS-D randomized clinical trial.

Background: Few studies have been conducted on the prevention of bile reflux in gastric cancer patients who have undergone gastrectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in preventing bile reflux after gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of the PEGASUS-D trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Comparative analysis of superovulated versus uterine-embryo synchronized recipients for embryo transfer in cynomolgus monkeys ().

Introduction: Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer, are essential for generating genetically edited monkeys. Despite their importance, ARTs face challenges in recipient selection in terms of time and the number of animals required. The potential of superovulated monkeys, commonly used as oocyte donors, to serve as surrogate mothers, remains underexplored.

Effect of abatacept versus conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Background/aims: To compare the effects of abatacept and conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) on the progression and development of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD).

Methods: This multi-center retrospective study included RA patients receiving abatacept or csDMARDs who underwent at least two pulmonary function tests and/or chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). We compared the following outcomes between the groups: progression of RA-ILD, development of new ILD in RA patients without ILD at baseline, 28-joint Disease Activity Score with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), and safety.

Machine learning approaches to identify spatial factors and their influential distances for heavy metal contamination in downstream sediment.

Contaminated sediments can adversely affect aquatic ecosystems, making the identification and management of pollutant sources extremely important. In this study, we proposed machine learning approaches to reveal sources and their influential distances for heavy metal contamination of downstream sediment. We employed classification models with artificial neural networks (ANN) and random forest (RF), respectively, to predict the heavy metal contamination of stream sediments using upland environmental variables as input features.

Application of ultrasonographic human estimated foetal weight formulas to cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) at 129-132 days of gestation: A comparative study of estimated and actual birthweight.

Background: Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) are essential in biomedical research, including reproductive studies. However, the application of human estimated foetal weight (EFW) formulas using ultrasonography (USG) in these non-human primates is not well established.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the applicability of human EFW formulas for estimating foetal weight in cynomolgus monkeys at approximately 130 days of gestation.

Dexmedetomidine as an effective alternative tool for heart rate control in atrial fibrillation during general anesthesia-A case report.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia requiring effective heart rate (HR) management. Conventional therapies may not always achieve the desired HR control during intraoperative conditions. We present two cases of AF patients in whom dexmedetomidine, an alpha-2 receptor agonist, was utilized during surgery when conventional treatments proved ineffective.

Real-world effectiveness of a single conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (cDMARD) plus an anti-TNF agent versus multiple cDMARDs in rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective observational study.

Objective: The objective of this prospective, observational multicenter study (NCT03264703) was to compare the effectiveness of single conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (cDMARD) plus anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy versus multiple cDMARD treatments in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) following cDMARD failure in the real-world setting in South Korea.

Methods: At the treating physicians' discretion, patients received single cDMARD plus anti-TNF therapy or multiple cDMARDs. Changes from baseline in disease activity score 28-joint count with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), corticosteroid use, and Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire (KHAQ-20) scores were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Very long-lasting spinal anesthesia with dexmedetomidine: A report of two cases.

Spinal anesthesia usually lasts up to two hours, but an infusion of IV dexmedetomidine can prolong it to three to four hours. We report two cases where single spinal anesthesia with IV dexmedetomidine was maintained for more than six hours during tibia fracture surgery. The spinal anesthesia was maintained for 350 and 390 minutes without another medication, and the sensory level confirmed after the surgery was T10 and L1.

Subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma in a cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis).

Leiomyosarcoma, a malignant tumour originating from smooth muscle cells, has rarely been documented in non-human primates. In this case study, a 7-year-old female cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) presented with a rapidly growing mass overlying the left elbow joint. Radiographs indicated the presence of a soft tissue neoplasm without any associated bone involvement.

Promising Therapeutic Effects of Embryonic Stem Cells-Origin Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis Models: Immunomodulatory and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) involves persistent inflammation and fibrosis, leading to respiratory failure and even death. Adult tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show potential in ILD therapeutics but obtaining an adequate quantity of cells for drug application is difficult. Daewoong Pharmaceutical's MSCs (DW-MSCs) derived from embryonic stem cells sustain a high proliferative capacity following long-term culture and expansion.

Comparison of diagnosis-based risk adjustment methods for episode-based costs to apply in efficiency measurement.

Background: The recent rising health spending intrigued efficiency and cost-based performance measures. However, mortality risk adjustment methods are still under consideration in cost estimation, though methods specific to cost estimate have been developed. Therefore, we aimed to compare the performance of diagnosis-based risk adjustment methods based on the episode-based cost to utilize in efficiency measurement.

Severe pulmonary edema occurred during endobronchial ultrasound under monitored anesthesia care - A case report.

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is widely used to diagnose lung cancer. Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) can enhance patient comfort and procedural conditions during EBUS. EBUS under MAC is usually safe but can lead to various complications.

Association of lncRNA SOX2OT rs9839776 polymorphism with gastric cancer risk in Korean: Case-control study.

Aberrant regulation of the long non-coding RNA SRY-box transcription factor 2 overlapping transcript (SOX2OT) has been reported in various diseases including gastric cancer (GC). However, an association between the well-studied rs9839776 single nucleotide polymorphism in SOX2OT and GC susceptibility has not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the rs9839776 single nucleotide polymorphism in SOX2OT and GC risk.

Insensitive Effects of Inflammatory Cytokines on the Reference Genes of Synovial Fluid Resident-Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Mesenchymal stem cells derived from rheumatoid arthritis patients (RA-MSCs) provide an understanding of a variety of cellular and immunological responses within the inflammatory milieu. Sustained exposure of MSCs to inflammatory cytokines is likely to exert an influence on genetic variations, including reference genes (RGs). The sensitive effect of cytokines on the reference genes of RA-SF-MSCs may be a variation factor affecting patient-derived MSCs as well as the accuracy and reliability of data.

Anesthetic management of an elderly COVID-19 patient with pulmonary thromboembolism for hip surgery - A case report.

Background: COVID-19 and delayed hip surgery are well-known risk factors for thromboembolism in elderly patients.

Case: We report the case of an 88-year-old female patient with COVID-19 and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) who underwent delayed hip surgery 21 days after the injury. Heparinization and inferior vena cava filters were used to treat and prevent PTE.

Catatonia associated with prolonged stupor after general anesthesia in a patient with multiple neuropsychiatric disorders -a case report.

Background: Delayed emergence after general anesthesia may significantly affect a patient's condition. We present the case of a patient who experienced prolonged delayed recovery of consciousness, language, and motor response due to catatonia after eight hours of total elbow arthroplasty under general anesthesia.

Case: A 68-year-old woman with neuropsychiatric disorders and Parkinson's disease did not respond adequately during recovery after more than eight hours of general anesthesia.

Epigenetic Activation of Tensin 4 Promotes Gastric Cancer Progression.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a complex disease influenced by multiple genetic and epigenetic factors. Chronic inflammation caused by infection and dietary risk factors can result in the accumulation of aberrant DNA methylation in gastric mucosa, which promotes GC development. Tensin 4 (TNS4), a member of the Tensin family of proteins, is localized to focal adhesion sites, which connect the extracellular matrix and cytoskeletal network.

The Microbiome in Systemic Sclerosis: Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Potential.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), also known as scleroderma, is an autoimmune disease with unknown etiology characterized by multi-organ fibrosis. Despite substantial investigation on SSc-related cellular and molecular mechanisms, effective therapies are still lacking. The skin, lungs, and gut are the most affected organs in SSc, which act as physical barriers and constantly communicate with colonized microbiota.