Korean Gastric Cancer Association-Led Nationwide Survey on Surgically Treated Gastric Cancers in 2023.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023.

Materials And Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form.

Patient satisfaction and feasibility with a novel drug-injectable urethral catheter set for hyaluronic acid administration: a multicenter randomized trial.

Reducing the risk of urethral strictures after transurethral surgery for patients with bladder cancer requires effective strategies. We compared the clinical outcomes of a novel drug-injectable urethral catheter set (NIUS) with hyaluronic acid (HA) with those of the conventional intraurethral HA injection method. This six-center, prospective, randomized, single-blind trial included 192 male patients aged ≥ 20 years scheduled to undergo transurethral surgery.

High sleep reactivity in shift workers is associated with increased sleep disturbance, mood problems, and reduced quality of life.

Introduction: Shift work disrupts circadian rhythms, causing sleep and mood problems. Sleep reactivity-the sensitivity of sleep to stress-may affect how shift workers cope with these disruptions. This study investigated the relationship between sleep reactivity and shift work, exploring associations between sleep reactivity and sleep disturbance, mood symptoms, and quality of life in shift workers.

Reduced prefrontal activation during cognitive control under emotional interference in chronic insomnia disorder.

This study investigated the altered neural activation underlying cognitive control under emotional and sleep-related interference conditions and its role in subjective sleep disturbance in patients with chronic insomnia disorder. In total, 48 patients with chronic insomnia disorder, and 48 age-, sex- and body mass index-matched controls were included in this study. They completed self-reported questionnaires to assess subjective sleep and emotional distress.

Impact of variant histology in the prognosis of non‑muscle invasive bladder cancer with low‑tumor burden: A propensity score‑matched analysis with conventional urothelial carcinoma.

Bladder cancer (BCa) with variant histology (VH) is associated with an increased risk of recurrence and progression, as well as worse survival. However, the available literature does not provide the prognostic value of VH based on its tumor burden in non-muscle invasive BCa (NMIBC). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prognosis of VH in NMIBC with low-tumor volume compared with conventional urothelial carcinoma (UC) with a similar tumor burden.

A Nationwide Report on Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in 2019-2022: Utilizing the Korean Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Database Registry.

Purpose: The introduction of insurance coverage in Korea has led to a rise in the number of bariatric and metabolic surgeries. This study aims to provide a comprehensive report on the nationwide status of these surgeries from 2019 to 2022, utilizing data from the Korean Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (KSMBS) database registry.

Materials And Methods: This study analyzed data from the KSMBS registry, collected from 68 certified surgeons across 58 institutions from January 2019 to December 2022.

Shifting perspectives: From "Epilepsy" to "Cerebroelectric Disorder".

Background & Objective: Epilepsy has long been associated with stigma and misconceptions. In response, the Korean Epilepsy Society initiated the Epilepsy Renaming project in 2008 to replace the stigmatizing term with a neutral and scientifically grounded name, "cerebroelectric disorder". This study explores the impact of changing terminology on the public discourse surrounding epilepsy.

Changes in volatile flavor compounds of Kimchi cabbage ( subsp. ) during salting and fermentation.

A main ingredient of Kimchi is Kimchi cabbage, which is soaked in brine to reduce its crispness. Volatile profile of raw Kimchi cabbage (RC) is changed during salting; however, characteristic aroma-active compounds of salted Kimchi cabbage (SC) have not been investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in aroma characteristics of Kimchi cabbage during salting and fermentation.

Impact of Circulating Tumor Cell-Expressed Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen and Prostate-Specific Antigen Transcripts in Different Stages of Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-based images, which visually quantify PSMA expression, are used to determine prostate cancer micrometastases. This study evaluated whether a circulating tumor cell (CTC)-based transcript platform, including PSMA mRNA, could help identify potential prognostic markers in prostate cancer.

Experimental Design: We prospectively enrolled 21 healthy individuals and 247 patients with prostate cancer [localized prostate cancer (LPCa), n = 94; metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), n = 44; and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), n = 109].

Comparative Analysis of Various Weight Loss Success Criteria Models After Bariatric Metabolic Surgery in Korean Morbid Obese Patients.

Purpose: To identify weight loss prediction models by validating previous models using weight loss success criteria.

Materials And Methods: Patients with morbid obesity from 4 hospitals were retrospectively analyzed between Jan 2019 and 2022. Preoperative demographics, postoperative data, and 1-year follow-up weight loss outcomes were compared between 2 groups who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB).

The Protective Effects of Moisturizer Containing Extract in the Topical Treatment of Skin Damage Caused by Masks.

The use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant societal changes, particularly for individuals with sensitive skin. To address this issue, the researchers explored traditional medicine and identified extract as a potential solution due to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects. This research investigated how this extract influences skin hydration, barrier function, and itching.

Room of horrors simulation in healthcare education: A systematic review.

Objectives: A room of horrors simulation is one tool that healthcare educators use to improve learners' awareness of patient safety hazards and other critical matters in a safe and controlled environment. This review aimed to summarize research on use of room of horrors simulation in healthcare education, examine its effectiveness, and recommend directions for future education and research.

Design: A systematic review of the literature.

Droplet digital recombinase polymerase amplification for multiplexed detection of human coronavirus.

Since the outbreak of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), detection technologies have been attracting a great deal of attention in molecular diagnosis applications. In particular, the droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) has become a promising tool as it offers absolute quantification of target nucleic acids with high specificity and sensitivity. In recent years, the combination of the isothermal amplification strategies has made ddPCR a popular method for on-site testing by enabling amplification at a constant temperature.

Surface distortion of FeRu nanoparticles improves the hydrogen evolution reaction performance in alkaline media.

Rational design of electrocatalysts, including an increased catalytic surface area, a unique surface structure, and improved conductivity, for facilitating the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is emerging as an important issue. In this work, we consider the engineering of catalyst surfaces as an effective and feasible way to accelerate the HER kinetics. By etching the surface Fe of FeRu alloy nanoparticles (NPs) using hydrofluoric acid (HF), a distorted catalytic surface of FeRu NPs was formed.

Valorization of biomass through gasification for green hydrogen generation: A comprehensive review.

Green and sustainable hydrogen from biomass gasification processes is one of the promising ways to alternate fossil fuels-based hydrogen production. First off, an overview of green hydrogen generation from biomass gasification processes is presented and the corresponding possible gasification reactions and the effect of respective experimental criteria are explained in detail. In addition, a comprehensive explanation of the catalytic effect on tar reduction and hydrogen generation via catalytic gasification is presented regarding the functional mechanisms of various types of catalysts.

Development of an IoT-integrated multiplexed digital PCR system for quantitative detection of infectious diseases.

For rapid detection of the COVID-19 infection, the digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) with higher sensitivity and specificity has been presented as a promising method of point-of-care testing (POCT). Unlike the conventional real-time PCR (qPCR), the dPCR system allows absolute quantification of the target DNA without a calibration curve. Although a number of dPCR systems have previously been reported, most of these previous assays lack multiplexing capabilities.

Coexpression of lymphocyte-activation gene 3 and programmed death ligand-1 in tumor infiltrating immune cells predicts worse outcome in renal cell carcinoma.

Objectives: Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) represents a potential immune checkpoint target for cancer treatment. We investigated LAG-3 expression and its prognostic value in patients with surgically treated clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and correlated LAG-3 expression with programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1).

Methods: We evaluated LAG-3 and PD-L1 expression using immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays incorporating 134 primary excision specimens of clear cell RCC (ccRCC).

Safety and Efficacy of the Baska Mask Versus Endotracheal Intubation in 64 Women Undergoing Elective Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgery Under General Anesthesia: A Prospective Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND The Baska mask is a supraglottic airway device that has a continuous non-inflatable flexible cuff that mimics an airway, reducing the risk of overinflation and aspiration of gastric contents. This prospective study from a single center aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of the Baska mask vs endotracheal intubation (ET) in 64 women undergoing elective laparoscopic gynecological surgery in Trendelenburg position under general anesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a prospective randomized study conducted on 64 adult female patients, 32 in each group, undergoing gynecologic surgery under general anesthesia.

Tankyrase-selective inhibitor STP1002 shows preclinical antitumour efficacy without on-target toxicity in the gastrointestinal tract.

Background: Tankyrase inhibition stabilises AXINs and antagonises the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)-mutated colorectal cancer (CRC), suggesting that tankyrase is a potential therapeutic target for APC-mutated CRC. However, clinical trials on reported tankyrase inhibitors have been severely limited by on-target toxicity in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Herein, we report a new tankyrase-selective inhibitor, STP1002, having preclinical antitumour efficacy without on-target toxicity in APC-mutated CRC models.

The Effect of Extracellular Vesicles from Korean Women in Their 20s on Skin Aging.

Extracellular vesicles, which are highly conserved in most cells, contain biologically active substances. The vesicles and substances interact with cells and impact physiological mechanisms. The skin is the most external organ and is in direct contact with the external environment.

The Relationship between Femoral Stem Tilt and Stem Length in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

Background: The current trend of using short femoral stems in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is associated with angular deviation of the femoral stem towards the native femoral axis. The purpose of this study was to compare the difference in stem tilt angle between two different stems with a similar design except for the stem length.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of 66 patients who underwent primary THA between April 2012 and May 2016, using a trans-gluteal direct lateral approach by a single surgeon.

Intraperitoneal Paclitaxel Combined with S-1 Plus Oxaliplatin for Advanced Gastric Cancer with Peritoneal Metastasis: a Phase I Study.

Purpose: We designed a new regimen by combining intraperitoneal (IP) paclitaxel (PTX) with systemic S-1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX) for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis. This dose-escalation study aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose (RD) of IP PTX administered weekly to patients.

Materials And Methods: Eight cycles of IP PTX plus SOX regimen were administered to the patients.