Incidence and clinical course of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome in patients admitted to university hospitals: 1-year prospective follow-up study.

Background/aims: Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) is characterized by chronic gastrointestinal symptoms that arise following an episode of infectious enteritis. The incidence rates vary, ranging from 5% to 32% and the risk factors are not well known. We aim to investigate the incidence and risk factors of PI-IBS in enteritis patients admitted to university hospitals in Korea.

Randomized Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Fexuprazan According to the Timing of Dosing in Patients with Erosive Esophagitis.

Background/aims: Fexuprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, was developed for treating acidrelated disorders. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of fexuprazan, unlike those of proton pump inhibitors, are independent of food effect. This study aims to evaluate differences in efficacy and safety of fexuprazan in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) according to the timing of dosing.

Comparing 1-L and 2-L Polyethylene Glycol with Ascorbic Acid for Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background/aims: Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) has become the standard for initial evaluation in the diagnosis of small bowel lesions. Although optimal visualization of the mucosa is important, patients experience difficulty in consuming a large volume of bowel preparation agents. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of 1-L polyethylene glycol (PEG) with ascorbic acid (AA) and 2-L PEG with AA.

Allergy Wheal and Erythema Segmentation Using Attention U-Net.

The skin prick test (SPT) is a key tool for identifying sensitized allergens associated with immunoglobulin E-mediated allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis. However, the SPT is labor-intensive and time-consuming due to the necessity of measuring the sizes of the erythema and wheals induced by allergens on the skin. In this study, we used an image preprocessing method and a deep learning model to segment wheals and erythema in SPT images captured by a smartphone camera.

Efficacy comparison of 7- and 14-day P-CAB based bismuth-containing quadruple regimen with PPI based bismuth-containing quadruple regimen for Helicobacter pylori infection: rationale and design of an open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Owing to its strong acid inhibition, potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) based regimens for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication are expected to offer clinical advantages over proton pump inhibitor (PPI) based regimens. This study aims to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of a 7-day and a 14-day P-CAB-based bismuth-containing quadruple regimen (PC-BMT) with those of a 14-day PPI-based bismuth-containing quadruple regimen (P-BMT) in patients with high clarithromycin resistance.

The Diagnostic Performance of Linked Color Imaging Compared to White Light Imaging in Endoscopic Diagnosis of Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/aims: Recognizing infection during endoscopy is important because it can lead to the performance of confirmatory testing. Linked color imaging (LCI) is an image enhancement technique that can improve the detection of gastrointestinal lesions. The purpose of this study was to compare LCI to conventional white light imaging (WLI) in the endoscopic diagnosis of infection.

Role of linked color imaging for upper gastrointestinal disease: present and future.

Techniques for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy are advancing to facilitate lesion detection and improve prognosis. However, most early tumors in the upper gastrointestinal tract exhibit subtle color changes or morphological features that are difficult to detect using white light imaging. Linked color imaging (LCI) has been developed to overcome these shortcomings; it expands or reduces color information to clarify color differences, thereby facilitating the detection and observation of lesions.

Effects of prior antibiotic use on clarithromycin resistance in Helicobacter pylori.

Background: Macrolide antibiotics are widely used to treat various infections such as pneumonia and sinusitis, and previous exposure to macrolides is presumed to be a risk factor for standard triple therapy failure in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication. We aimed to determine whether previous use of macrolide antibiotics could affect clarithromycin resistance of H.

Cancer risk in patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in Korea: a retrospective multi-center study.

Background/aims: There have been little research on the cancer risks of patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) in Korea. We aimed to investigate the clinical features of PJS patients and their cancer incidence rate.

Methods: Patients with PJS from nine medical centers were enrolled.

Underwater Versus Conventional Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Superficial Non-ampullary Duodenal Epithelial Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/aims: Duodenal underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) has been suggested as a feasible treatment option for superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs). However, its efficacy and safety have not been fully established yet. Thus, the objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy and safety of UEMR as compared with conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (CEMR) in the treatment of SNADETs.

The association between specific IgE antibodies to component allergens and allergic symptoms on dog and cat exposure among Korean pet exhibition participants.

Background: Component resolved diagnostics (CRD) in dog and cat allergy is not sufficiently investigated, especially regarding new components such as Can f 4, Can f 6, and Fel d 7. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential role of CRD with new components in predicting allergic symptoms on dog and cat exposure.

Methods: Among 552 Korean adults who participated in a pet exhibition and completed questionnaires regarding exposure to dog or cat and allergic symptoms, 522 were venipunctured for measurement of IgE and IgG4 antibody concentration against dog and cat dander extract and underwent skin prick test (SPT).

Randomised clinical trial: comparison of tegoprazan and lansoprazole as maintenance therapy for healed mild erosive oesophagitis.

Background: Tegoprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker used to treat acid-related disorders.

Aim: To compare tegoprazan 25 mg with lansoprazole 15 mg as maintenance therapy in healed erosive oesophagitis (EE) METHODS: In this phase 3, double-blind, multi-centre study, patients with endoscopically confirmed healed EE were randomised 1:1 to receive tegoprazan 25 mg or lansoprazole 15 mg once daily for up to 24 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the endoscopic remission rate after 24 weeks.

Outcomes of the Conventional versus Pocket-Creation Method for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Gastric Body Tumors Using a Dual Knife: A Retrospective Study.

Background/aims: Various endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) methods for gastric tumors have been tried. However, no studies have yet compared results according to the ESD method for gastric body tumors using a dual knife. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes of two ESD methods for gastric body tumors: the pocket-creation method and conventional method.

Indication, Location of the Lesion, Diagnostic Yield, and Therapeutic Yield of Double-Balloon Enteroscopy: Seventeen Years of Experience.

Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) has become one of the standard methods in the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel (SB) disease. However, previous studies for DBE have limitations due to heterogeneity of indications and operators. The aim was to investigate the indication, location of the lesion, diagnostic yield, and therapeutic yield of DBE based on long-term data from a single operator.

Effectiveness and Safety of Codeine and Levodropropizine in Patients With Chronic Cough.

Background: Recent progress in chronic cough management includes controlling cough triggers and hypersensitivity using antitussives. Therefore, we investigated the effects and safety outcomes of antitussives, codeine and levodropropizine, in patients with chronic cough.

Methods: We conducted an open-label, randomized comparative trial with newly referred patients with chronic cough.

Recent Advances in Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy in Humans: A Systematic Review.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is presumed to modulate the natural course of allergic disease by inducing immune tolerance. However, conventional AITs, such as subcutaneous immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy, require long treatment durations and often provoke local or systemic hypersensitivity reactions. Therefore, only <5% of allergy patients receive AIT as second-line therapy.

Bismuth-Based Quadruple Therapy versus Metronidazole-Intensified Triple Therapy as a First-Line Treatment for Clarithromycin-Resistant Infection: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background/aims: Clarithromycin resistance is a main factor for treatment failure in the context of infection. However, the treatment regimen for clarithromycin-resistant infection has not yet been determined. We aimed to compare the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of 14-day bismuth-based quadruple therapy versus 14-day metronidazole-intensified triple therapy for clarithromycin-resistant infection with genotypic resistance.

Comparison of Two pMDIs in Adult Asthmatics: A Randomized Double-Blind Double-Dummy Clinical Trial.

Background: Only a few studies directly compared the therapeutic efficacy and safety of two pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) in asthma. We analyzed the asthma treatment outcomes, safety, and patient preferences using formoterol/beclomethasone (FORM/BDP), a pMDI with extra-fine particles, compared with formoterol/budesonide (FORM/BUD), another pMDI with non-extra-fine particles.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, double-dummy parallel group study, 40 adult asthmatics were randomized to FORM/BDP group (n=18; active FORM/BDP and placebo FORM/BUD) or FORM/BUD group (n=22; active FORM/BUD and placebo FORM/BDP).

Prevalence and diagnostic values of laboratory animal allergy among research personnel.

Background: Laboratory animal allergy (LAA) has not been sufficiently investigated, although LAA is a relatively common work-related condition and important occupational hazard.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of LAA and analyze the diagnostic value of serum specific IgE (sIgE) using the skin prick test (SPT) as a comparative standard.

Methods: Korean laboratory animal researchers who attended an annual symposium were requested to answer questionnaires regarding demographic characteristics, laboratory animal exposure, and symptoms related to laboratory animal exposure.

Intralymphatic immunotherapy with tyrosine-adsorbed allergens: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Most previous studies used aluminum hydroxide-absorbed allergen extracts in evaluating the potential therapeutic roles of intralymphatic allergen-specific immunotherapy (ILAIT). In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and safety of ILAIT with L-tyrosine-adsorbed allergen extracts of Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, cat, dog, or mixtures thereof, in patients with allergic rhinitis induced by these allergens.

Inter-observer variability of experts and trainees for the diagnosis of reflux esophagitis: Comparison of linked color imaging, blue laser imaging, and white light imaging.

Objectives: Diagnosis of reflux esophagitis according to the Los Angeles classification minimal change (LA-M) has a low inter-observer agreement. We aimed to investigate whether the inter-observer agreement of reflux esophagitis was better when expert endoscopists read the endoscopic images, or when the linked color imaging (LCI) or blue laser imaging (BLI)-bright mode was used. In addition, whether the inclusion of LA-M in the definition of reflux esophagitis affected the consistency of the diagnosis was investigated.

Diagnostic performance of artificial intelligence model for pneumonia from chest radiography.

Objective: The chest X-ray (CXR) is the most readily available and common imaging modality for the assessment of pneumonia. However, detecting pneumonia from chest radiography is a challenging task, even for experienced radiologists. An artificial intelligence (AI) model might help to diagnose pneumonia from CXR more quickly and accurately.

The lung microbiota in Korean patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease.

Background: The microbiota of the lower respiratory tract in patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) has not been fully evaluated. We explored the role of the lung microbiota in NTM-PD by analyzing protected specimen brushing (PSB) and bronchial washing samples from patients with NTM-PD obtained using a flexible bronchoscope.

Results: Bronchial washing and PSB samples from the NTM-PD group tended to have fewer OTUs and lower Chao1 richness values compared with those from the control group.

Measurement of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Adults: Comparison of Two Different Analyzers (NIOX VERO and NObreath).

Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a non-invasive marker for eosinophilic airway inflammation and a good predictor of response to corticosteroids. There is a need for a reliable and accurate measurement method, as FeNO measurements have been widely used in clinical practice. Our study aimed to compare two FeNO analyzers and derive a conversion equation for FeNO measurements in adults.