Rise in intraluminal temperature during ureteroscopy: Is this a concern?

The global increase in urolithiasis prevalence has led to a shift towards minimally invasive procedures, such as retrograde intrarenal surgery, supported by advancements in laser technologies for lithotripsy. Pulsed lasers, particularly the holmium YAG and the newer thulium fiber laser, have significantly transformed the management of upper urinary tract stones. However, the use of high-power lasers in these procedures introduces risks of heat-related injury.

Survey of the Actual Practices Used for Endoscopic Removal of Colon Polyps in Korea: A Comparison with the Current Guidelines.

Background/aims: We investigated the clinical practice patterns of Korean endoscopists for the endoscopic resection of colorectal polyps.

Methods: From September to November 2021, an online survey was conducted regarding the preferred resection methods for colorectal polyps, and responses were compared with the international guidelines.

Results: Among 246 respondents, those with <4 years, 4-9 years, and ≥10 years of experience in colonoscopy practices accounted for 25.

Oncological outcomes after radical prostatectomy of localized prostate cancer: stratified by magnetic resonance imaging and risk classification.

Background: We investigated whether combining T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and clinical risk categories improves upon established prognostic indicators of oncological outcomes in prostate cancer.

Methods: Patients who underwent radical prostatectomy, but not preoperative hormone therapy, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy, for localized prostate cancer at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from October 2007 to April 2016 were included. MRIs were classified according to the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS).

Whole gland versus partial gland ablation in patients with localized prostate cancer treated by high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation.

Background: Focal therapy is considered one of the treatment options for localized prostate cancer (PCa), particularly for low or very-low-risk patients. In this study, we compared the mid-term oncological outcomes in localized PCa patients treated with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 237 patients who underwent HIFU for localized PCa.

First Report of Rust Caused by on L. in Korea.

Fig (Ficus carica L.) belonging to the Moraceae family is cultivated worldwide, with its primary production areas located in the Mediterranean region (Tous and Fergusen 1996). Yeongam-gun is a significant region for fig cultivation in Korea, accounting for 42% of the country's total fig cultivation area with approximately 1,400 fields (453ha, production yield 6000 tons).

Ischemia-Induced Expression Status of Cofilin 1, CRSP2, HSP90, HSP27, and IL-8 in Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Single Cell Transcriptomic Profiling of Stromal Cells.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a rich source of EAT-derived stromal cells (EATDS) which possess regenerative potential. CRSP2, HSP27, IL8, HSP90 and Cofilin 1 were detected in the secretome of left ventricular stromal cells under ischemia challenge. However, the association of these genes in the EAT and EATDS remain understudied.

Subcutaneous Infliximab Concentration Thresholds for Mucosal and Transmural Healing in Patients With Crohn's Disease.

Background: Predose trough concentrations (C) of intravenous infliximab (IV-IFX) during maintenance therapy are associated with therapeutic outcomes in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). A subcutaneous formulation of infliximab (SC-IFX) has shown high C values due to its favourable pharmacokinetics.

Aims: To evaluate the association of C of SC-IFX with therapeutic outcomes and the threshold of SC-IFX C for achieving mucosal healing (MH) and transmural healing (TH) in patients with CD.

Risk factors for urinary retention after robot-assisted radical cystectomy with orthotopic neobladder diversion: a multicenter study.

To determine risk factors for urinary retention (UR) after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RALC) with orthotopic neobladder diversion. A total of 269 patients who underwent RALC with orthotopic neobladder diversion from 2008 to 2019 at seven tertiary hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. There were 68 patients who had UR (UR arm) and 201 patients who did not have UR (no-UR arm).

Performance trends and goal achievement of health indicators in Gyeongsangbuk-do and Daegu Metropolitan City.

The core goal of South Korea's health policy is equity. To this end, regional disparities in health indicators must be identified. However, as an in-depth analysis of health disparities and health indicators in Gyeongsangbuk-do and Daegu Metropolitan City is lacking, this study examined the trends in performance and goal achievement in health indicators.

Viscoelastic-Support-Layer-Based Macroscopic Conformal Transfer of van der Waals Materials Compatible with Plasmonic Application.

This study showcases the conformal geometries of van der Waals materials with metallic structures utilizing viscoelastic support layers. Mechanically exfoliated nanometer-thick graphite flakes were transferred onto metal structures with various side slopes using two different polymers: polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene (PE). We proposed a morphology-based evaluation of the macroscale conformity that can contribute to the selection of a proper support layer.

Successful treatment of adjunctive teriparatide therapy for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: a report of two cases.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a refractory disease that can lead to severe destruction of the jaw. As there is no standard protocol for treating MRONJ, various treatments have been studied. Teriparatide has been used as an adjunct therapy for MRONJ.

Safety and efficacy of Mg-Dy membrane with poly-L-lactic acid coating for guided bone regeneration.

The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)-coated magnesium (Mg)-Dysprosium (Dy) membrane in guided bone regeneration (GBR) using a rabbit calvarium model. The microstructure of the Mg-Dy membrane surface and thickness of the PLLA coating were examined. In vitro degradation and cytotoxicity test was conducted.

Effectiveness of switching to subcutaneous infliximab in inflammatory bowel disease patients with inadequate biochemical response during intravenous administration.

Infliximab (IFX) has transformed the management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). While intravenous (IV) IFX has been effective, a subcutaneous (SC) formulation offers advantages in convenience and cost. However, there is lack of evidence regarding the transition from IV to SC-IFX, especially for patients with inadequate responses.

Bilateral Ovarian Fibromatosis in a Postmenopausal Female: A Case Report with Emphasis on MRI Findings and Differential Diagnosis.

Ovarian fibromatosis is a rare non-neoplastic condition that causes ovarian enlargement in women, typically around the age of 25. This enlargement is due to the proliferation of the collagen-producing ovarian stroma. On T2-weighted MRI, a key diagnostic feature of ovarian fibromatosis is the 'black garland sign,' characterized by multilobulated very low signal intensity along the ovarian surface.

Ischemic cardiac stromal fibroblast-derived protein mediators in the infarcted myocardium and transcriptomic profiling at single cell resolution.

This article focuses on screening the major secreted proteins by the ischemia-challenged cardiac stromal fibroblasts (CF), the assessment of their expression status and functional role in the post-ischemic left ventricle (LV) and in the ischemia-challenged CF culture and to phenotype CF at single cell resolution based on the positivity of the identified mediators. The expression level of CRSP2, HSP27, IL-8, Cofilin-1, and HSP90 in the LV tissues following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and myocardial infarction (MI) and CF cells followed the screening profile derived from the MS/MS findings. The histology data unveiled ECM disorganization, inflammation and fibrosis reflecting the ischemic pathology.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of a Fixed-Dose Combination of Esomeprazole and Magnesium Hydroxide Compared to the Enteric-Coated Esomeprazole.

Purpose: A fixed-dose combination (FDC) of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and antacid salts enables rapid acid suppression through the neutralizing effect of the antacid salt and the rapid absorption of PPIs. This study aimed to compare the pharmacokinetics (PKs) and pharmacodynamics (PDs) of a recently formulated FDC of esomeprazole and magnesium hydroxide to the enteric-coated esomeprazole in healthy subjects.

Methods: A randomized, open-label, multiple-dose, two-treatment, two-way crossover design was conducted in healthy subjects.

Perception of fecal microbiota transplantation in patients with ulcerative colitis in Korea: a KASID multicenter study.

Background/aims: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a promising therapy for inducing and maintaining remission in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, FMT has not been approved for UC treatment in Korea. Our study aimed to investigate patient perceptions of FMT under the national medical policy.

Exploring the anti-obesity effects of kimchi through enhanced thermogenesis in differentiated T37i brown adipocytes.

Background: Previous research has demonstrated the anti-obesity effects of kimchi in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and mice with diet-induced obesity by assessing the expression of obesity-associated genes. Additionally, recent studies have identified mechanisms involving thermogenesis that support these effects.

Objective: This study aims to further investigate the anti-obesity properties of kimchi, focusing on its impact on thermogenic activity in differentiated T37i brown adipocytes.

P1 and N1 Characteristics in Individuals with Normal Hearing and Hearing Loss, and Cochlear Implant Users: A Pilot Study.

It has been reported in many previous studies that the lack of auditory input due to hearing loss (HL) can induce changes in the brain. However, most of these studies have focused on individuals with pre-lingual HL and have predominantly compared the characteristics of those with normal hearing (NH) to cochlear implant (CI) users in children. This study examined the visual and auditory evoked potential characteristics in NH listeners, individuals with bilateral HL, and CI users, including those with single-sided deafness.

Histologic improvement predicts endoscopic remission in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Limited research has been performed to determine if histologic improvement serves as a prognosticator for endoscopic remission, a key therapeutic target for ulcerative colitis (UC). The primary aim of the study was to evaluate if histological activity could predict endoscopic remission in UC patients with Mayo endoscopic subscores (MES) of 0 or 1. In addition, we compared the clinical outcomes between histologic improvement group and active group.