Botulinum toxin as an effective treatment for persistent twitching in first toe: a detailed case study.

Continuous fasciculation that occurs without weakness is referred to as benign fasciculation. Although generally considered non-threatening, cases that persist can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. This study presents a case of a male patient in his 30s experiencing unyielding twitching localized to the sole of his left foot for 2 years.

Coccygodynia in a Long-Term Cancer Survivor Diagnosed with Metastatic Cancer: A Case Report.

: Rectal cancer is considered cured if no recurrence is found during the 5-year follow-up period after treatment. After this period, patients often believe that the cancer is completely eradicated. However, in modern society, where lifespans have become longer, it is important to recognize that metastatic cancer may occur long after the initial treatment has concluded.

Effects of Dietary Protein Intake Levels on Peripheral Circadian Rhythm in Mice.

The regulation of the circadian clock plays an important role in influencing physiological conditions. While it is reported that the timing and quantity of energy intake impact circadian regulation, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the impact of dietary protein intake on peripheral clocks.

Enhancing ketamine anesthesia with midazolam and fentanyl for children's ear surgery: a prospective randomized study.

Background: Myringotomy with tympanostomy tube insertion (MTI) is a superficial surgical procedure used to prevent hearing loss in children with serous otitis media. Intravenous anesthesia, often ketamine, is preferred for this procedure because of its ability to induce sedation without compromising airway reflexes. However, ketamine alone may be insufficient and potentially lead to spontaneous movement during surgery.

Function of NAD metabolism in white adipose tissue: lessons from mouse models.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) is an endogenous substance in redox reactions and regulates various functions in metabolism. NAD and its precursors are known for their anti-ageing and anti-obesity properties and are mainly active in the liver and muscle. Boosting NAD+ through supplementation with the precursors, such as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) or nicotinamide riboside (NR), enhances insulin sensitivity and circadian rhythm in the liver, and improves mitochondrial function in the muscle.

Anti-obesity effect of butyrate links to modulation of gut microbiome and epigenetic regulation of muscular circadian clock.

The role of the muscle circadian clock in regulating oxidative metabolism exerts a significant influence on whole-body energy metabolism; however, research on the connection between the muscle circadian clock and obesity is limited. Moreover, there is a lack of studies demonstrating the regulatory effects of dietary butyrate on muscle circadian clock and the resulting antiobesity effects. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of dietary butyrate on metabolic and microbiome alterations and muscle circadian clock in a diet-induced obesity model.

Model for end-stage liver disease-3.0 vs. model for end-stage liver disease-sodium: mortality prediction in Korea.

Background/aims: The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) serves as an indicator for short-term mortality among patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis (LC) and is used to prioritize patients for liver transplantation. In 2021, the updated version of MELD, MELD-3.0, was introduced to improve the accuracy of the mortality prediction of MELD.

MELD-GRAIL-Na Is a Better Predictor of Mortality Than MELD in Korean Patients with Cirrhosis.

: The Child-Pugh (CP) score and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) are classical systems for predicting mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). The MELD-GFR assessment in liver disease-sodium (MELD-GRAIL-Na) was designed to better reflect renal function and, therefore, provide better mortality predictions. This study aimed to compare the prediction accuracy of MELD-GRAIL-Na compared to CP and MELD in predicting short-term (1- and 3-month) mortality in Korean patients.

Botulinum toxin injection strategy of intractable and relapsed piriformis syndrome: A case report.

Rationale: Piriformis syndrome (PS) is neuromuscular disorder caused by sciatic nerve compression by piriformis muscle and related to sciatic-type pain. When the conservative care fails, local injection or surgery can be also performed into piriformis. In recent years, botulinum toxin (BoNT) has also been considered as a new therapeutic option of piriformis syndrome.

Switching from Tenofovir-Based Combination Therapy to Tenofovir Monotherapy in Multidrug-Experienced Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: a 5-Year Experience at Two Centers.

Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who were administered tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based combination therapy after receiving multiple drugs are frequently switched to TDF monotherapy in South Korea. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of switching to TDF monotherapy from TDF-based combination therapy over 5 years. This was a retrospective study of multidrug-experienced CHB patients who switched from TDF-based combination therapy to TDF monotherapy after achieving a virologic response (VR; <20 IU/mL) at Konkuk University Hospital and Sanggye Paik Hospital.

Nanoscale fluorescence imaging of biological ultrastructure via molecular anchoring and physical expansion.

Nanoscale imaging of biological samples can provide rich morphological and mechanistic information about biological functions and dysfunctions at the subcellular and molecular level. Expansion microscopy (ExM) is a recently developed nanoscale fluorescence imaging method that takes advantage of physical enlargement of biological samples. In ExM, preserved cells and tissues are embedded in a swellable hydrogel, to which the molecules and fluorescent tags in the samples are anchored.

Comparative study for predictability of type 1 gastric variceal rebleeding after endoscopic variceal ligation: High-frequency intraluminal ultrasound study.

Background: The efficacy of endoscopic ultrasonography for the follow-up of gastric varices treated with endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) has not been established.

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic correlation of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and high-frequency intraluminal ultrasound (HFIUS) for type 1 gastric varices (GOV1) after EVL and to identify the predictability for rebleeding of EGD and HFIUS.

Methods: In liver cirrhosis patients with GOV1, we performed endoscopic follow-up using EGD and HFIUS synchronously after EVL for hemorrhage from GOV1.

Comparison of epidural, spinal, and saddle block for holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP): A prospective randomized, comparative study.

Background: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) has become an important treatment modality for benign prostate hypertrophy. The aim of the present study was to compare regional anesthesia methods for HoLEP operation and to determine the optimal technique.

Methods: Sixty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists scores of I-III were randomly allocated into 3 groups.

The effect of nucleos(t)ide analogues on clinical outcomes of patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation for hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: Because hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication has been known to play an important role in cancer recurrence after curative treatment of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we examined whether treatment based on nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) might decrease the recurrence rate and improve patient survival.

Methods: The retrospective cohort study enrolled 73 patients with chronic hepatitis B who were treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with curative intent for HCC. Among those, 30 and 43 patients were treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and entecavir (ETV), respectively.

Tenofovir Alafenamide for Drug-Resistant Hepatitis B: A Randomized Trial for Switching From Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate.

Background & Aims: It remains unknown whether tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) could replace tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in patients with drug-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Methods: In this multicenter randomized non-inferiority trial, 174 patients with HBV resistant to multiple drugs (lamivudine, entecavir, and/or adefovir) under TDF monotherapy for ≥96 weeks were randomized 1:1 to switch to TAF (n = 87) or continue TDF (n = 87) for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was proportion of patients with HBV DNA <60 IU/mL at week 48.

Effect of botulinum toxin in stellate ganglion for craniofacial hyperhidrosis: a case report.

Craniofacial hyperhidrosis causes sweating of the face and scalp due to excessive action of the sweat glands and manifests when patients become tense/nervous or develop an elevated body temperature. If noninvasive treatments are ineffective, invasive treatments such as a sympathetic block and resection are considered. A 32-year-old woman with no specific medical history was referred for uncontrolled craniofacial hyperhidrosis that included excessive sweating and hot flushing.

Multiparametric MR Is a Valuable Modality for Evaluating Disease Severity of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Introduction: Because nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a leading cause of chronic liver disease, noninvasive evaluations of its severity are immediately needed. This prospective cross-sectional study evaluated the effectiveness of noninvasive assessments of hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and steatohepatitis.

Methods: Patients underwent laboratory tests, liver biopsy, transient elastography, and MRI.

Risk Factors for Liver Function Deterioration after Transarterial Chemoembolization Refractoriness in Child-Pugh Class A Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients.

Background/aims: A switch to systemic therapy, such as sorafenib, should be considered for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients refractory to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). On the other hand, treatment changes are difficult if the liver function worsens to Child-Pugh B or C. Therefore, predicting the risk factors for non-responsiveness to TACE and deteriorating liver function may be helpful.

Multiplexed Proteomic Approach for Identification of Serum Biomarkers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Normal AFP.

Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) has been used as a serologic indicator of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to identify an HCC-specific serum biomarker for diagnosis using a multiplexed proteomic technique in HCC patients with normal AFP levels. A total of 152 patients were included from Guro Hospital, Korea University.

Prognostic impact of hepatitis B or C on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background/aims: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second-most common primary liver malignancy, arising from the peripheral intrahepatic bile duct epithelium. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) may be involved in the development of ICC. We explored the prognostic value of hepatitis virus infection, as well as other prognostic factors affecting survival in patients with ICC.