Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Beta-2 microglobulin (β2m) is a component of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) playing a crucial role in the immune system on cell surface, but it can be separated from the MHC-I and exist in biological fluid independently. Numerous reports have shown that β2m is a systemic pro-aging factor impairing cognitive function, and that it is increased in the blood and CSF of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). While β2m in the body fluid has been recognized as a potential factor in AD and aging, the development of therapeutic agents, especially those directly targeting β2m using antibodies, may face challenges.

Sex Differences in Procedural Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Bifurcation PCI.

Background And Objectives: The risk profiles, procedural characteristics, and clinical outcomes for women undergoing bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are not well defined compared to those in men.

Methods: COronary BIfurcation Stenting III (COBIS III) is a multicenter, real-world registry of 2,648 patients with bifurcation lesions treated with second-generation drug-eluting stents. We compared the angiographic and procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes based on sex.

Impact of intravascular ultrasound for coronary bifurcations treated with last generations stents: insights from the BIFURCAT-ULTRA registry.

Background: Bifurcation lesions are associated with higher rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Aim: To investigate the impact of imaging-guided PCI in a real-world population with coronary bifurcation lesions.

Methods: From the ULTRA-BIFURCAT registry, we compared IVUS vs.

A Novel Approach to Total Ankle Arthroplasty with Simultaneous Structural Tibial Cut Autograft for Anterior Tibial Bone Defects.

Severe bone defects pose a clinical challenge in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and are frequently considered contraindicated. We introduce an innovative approach that utilizes a structural tibial cut autograft to address anterior distal tibia bone defects during TAA. This technique is a viable alternative to employing revision TAA systems or resorting to excessively high tibial cuts.

Transradial Versus Transfemoral Access for Bifurcation Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Using Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stent.

Background: The benefits of transradial access (TRA) over transfemoral access (TFA) for bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are uncertain because of the limited availability of device selection. This study aimed to compare the procedural differences and the in-hospital and long-term outcomes of TRA and TFA for bifurcation PCI using second-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs).

Methods: Based on data from the Coronary Bifurcation Stenting Registry III, a retrospective registry of 2,648 patients undergoing bifurcation PCI with second-generation DES from 21 centers in South Korea, patients were categorized into the TRA group (n = 1,507) or the TFA group (n = 1,141).

Robotic-assisted foot and ankle surgery: a review of the present status and the future.

The surgical application of robotics has increased significantly since its first application in 1985 for a brain biopsy acquisition. Robotic-assisted surgery has been one of the viable options in various surgical areas, and also in orthopaedic surgery. Robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgery has gained popularity as a mean of improving accuracy, reducing complications and achieving better patient satisfaction.

Safety and Efficacy of Post-Dilation in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Using Polymer-Free Ultrathin Strut Sirolimus-Probucol Coated Drug-Eluting Stents.

: Polymer-free ultrathin strut sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stents (PF-SES) are recognized as safe and effective in diverse patient populations, although the implications of post-dilation during stent implantation remain underexamined. : In this study, patients implanted with PF-SES at Gachon University Gil Medical Center between December 2014 and February 2018 were evaluated. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), encompassing nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke, and cardiovascular death were identified as primary outcomes, with secondary outcomes including target vessel revascularization (TVR), target lesion revascularization (TLR), and in-stent restenosis (ISR).

Impact of diabetes on long-term outcomes of bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention. An analysis from the BIFURCAT registry.

Background: It is still unclear the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) in complex coronary lesions treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) which themselves are at increased incidence of adverse events.

Methods: BIFURCAT registry encompassed patients treated with PCI for coronary bifurcation lesion from the COBIS III and the RAIN registry. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major cardiovascular adverse event (MACE), a composite and mutual exclusive of all-cause death or myocardial infarction (MI) or target-lesion revascularization (TLR).

Comparison of Outcomes Between 1- and 2-Stent Techniques for Medina Classification 0.0.1 Coronary Bifurcation Lesions.

Background: Although Medina 0.0.1 bifurcation lesions are often treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in real-world practice, the optimal revascularization strategy for this lesion is uncertain.

Minimally Invasive Transverse Distal Metatarsal Osteotomy (MITO) for Hallux Valgus Correction: Early Outcomes of Mild to Moderate vs Severe Deformities.

Background: We compared the radiological and clinical outcomes of mild to moderate and severe hallux valgus (HV) treated with minimally invasive distal metatarsal transverse osteotomy (MITO) performed by a single surgeon.

Methods: Eighty-four patients who underwent MITO between May 2018 and March 2020 were recruited and followed for at least 24 months. The severe group was defined as having a preoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA) >40 degrees or preoperative first-to-second intermetatarsal angle (1-2 IMA) >16 degrees; the mild to moderate group was defined as having an HVA <40 degrees and a 1-2 IMA <16 degrees.

Medial Reduction in Sesamoid Position after Hallux Valgus Correction Surgery Showed Better Outcome in S.E.R.I. Osteotomy than DCMO.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to compare the degree of sesamoid reduction after hallux valgus correction between distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy (DCMO) and S.E.R.

Comparison of 7-Year, Real-World Clinical Outcomes between Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty versus Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation in Patients with Drug-Eluting Stent In-Stent Restenosis.

There are no data available comparing the real-world, long-term clinical outcomes of drug-eluting balloon (DEB) angioplasty and drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in DES in-stent restenosis (ISR) lesions. We aimed to compare the real-world, long-term data available between DEBs and DESs in DES-ISR lesions. We analyzed consecutive DES-ISR lesions (225 lesions from 205 patients; male: 66.

Comparison of 3- to 6-Month Versus 12-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Coronary Intervention Using the Contemporary Drug-Eluting Stents With Ultrathin Struts: The HOST-IDEA Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Limited data are available on short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention using third-generation drug-eluting stents with ultrathin struts and advanced polymer technology. We investigated whether 3- to 6-month DAPT was noninferior to 12-month DAPT after implantation of drug-eluting stents with ultrathin struts and advanced polymer technology.

Methods: We performed an open-label, randomized trial at 37 centers in South Korea.

Treatment Effect of Phototherapy with Low-Level Energy in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis: A Single-Arm Observational Study.

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common health challenges and has a chronic and repetitive course that requires symptomatic treatment. We aimed to investigate the effect of phototherapy on allergic rhinitis and how long it takes to demonstrate treatment effect. Twenty-one patients who were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis using the skin prick test were enrolled.

Bifurcation strategies using second-generation drug-eluting stents on clinical outcomes in diabetic patients.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a critical risk factor for the pathogenesis and progression of coronary artery disease, with a higher prevalence of complex coronary artery disease, including bifurcation lesions. This study aimed to elucidate the optimal stenting strategy for coronary bifurcation lesions in patients with DM.

Methods: A total of 905 patients with DM and bifurcation lesions treated with second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) from a multicenter retrospective patient cohort were analyzed.

Impact of Clinical and Lesion Features on Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Bifurcation Lesions.

Background: Bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with higher risk of clinical events.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine clinical and lesion features that predict adverse outcomes, and to evaluate the differential prognostic impact of these features in patients undergoing PCI for bifurcation lesions.

Methods: We analyzed 5,537 patients from the BIFURCAT (comBined Insights From the Unified RAIN and COBIS bifurcAtion regisTries) registry.

A randomized, double-blind, multicenter, phase III study on the efficacy and safety of a combination treatment involving fimasartan, amlodipine, rosuvastatin in patients with essential hypertension and dyslipidemia who fail to respond adequately to fimasartan monotherapy.

Background: To assess the efficacy and safety of a combination therapy involving fimasartan, amlodipine, and rosuvastatin in patients with essential hypertension and dyslipidemia who fail to respond to fimasartan monotherapy.

Methods: This phase III, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study was conducted in adults aged 19-70 years. Patients who voluntarily consented were screened for eligibility to enroll in the study.

Efficacy and safety of low-dose antihypertensive combination of amlodipine, telmisartan, and chlorthalidone: A randomized, double-blind, parallel, phase II trial.

The aim of this clinical trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of low-dose triple combinations of amlodipine, telmisartan, and chlorthalidone in patients with essential hypertension. After a 2-week placebo run-in period, 176 patients were randomized to seven treatment groups (placebo, quarter-dose combination, third-dose combination, half-dose combination, amlodipine 5 mg, amlodipine 10 mg, and telmisartan 80 mg) and administered the assigned study drug orally for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in the mean sitting systolic blood pressure (BP) (MSSBP) at Week 8.

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes and Implant Survivorship of 151 Total Ankle Arthroplasties Using the HINTEGRA Prosthesis: A Minimum 10-Year Follow-up.

Background: Few studies have investigated long-term clinical outcomes of a mobile-bearing total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) system. This study analyzed long-term outcomes of TAA using the HINTEGRA prosthesis at a single, non-developer center.

Methods: Primary TAAs were performed on 213 ankles in 194 patients, and 151 consecutive ankles [71%] in 136 patients with a minimum follow-up of 10 years after the primary TAA were included in this study.

Sodium Tetradecyl Sulphate Sclerotherapy for Lateral Malleolar Bursitis of the Ankle.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of sodium tetradecyl sulphate (STS) sclerotherapy for conservative treatment of lateral malleolar bursitis of the ankle.

Methods: We reviewed data from 20 consecutive patients (20 ankles) who underwent STS sclerotherapy between August 2018 and June 2019. After aspiration of fluid from the lateral malleolar bursal sac, 2 mL (20 mg) STS was injected into the sac.

Tau acetylation at K280 regulates tau phosphorylation.

Purpose/aim Of The Study: Accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau is a key pathological finding of Alzheimer's disease. Recently, acetylation of tau is emerging as another key pathogenic modification, especially regarding the acetylation of tau at K280 of the hexapeptide VQIINK, a critical sequence in driving tau aggregation. However, the relationship between these two key post-translational modifications is not well known.