Development and Assessment of a Novel Ulcerative Colitis-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire: A Prospective, Multi-Institutional Study.

Purpose: Interest in the quality of life (QoL) of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has recently increased. Although measurement tools have been devised for IBD in general, there is no specific tool for measuring the QoL of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Therefore, we developed a QoL questionnaire specifically for patients with UC.

Application of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery with ENDOCRAB system for stomach perforation model: ex vivo porcine study.

Iatrogenic stomach perforation is a detrimental, irreversible, and fatal condition. Traditional surgery and endoscopic suturing clips and devices have been introduced to seal holes and prevent sepsis and disease progression. However, the development of endoscopic devices for perforations remains challenging, with no standard device available.

Robot-assisted gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection significantly improves procedure time at challenging dissection locations.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the standard treatment for early malignant stomach lesions. However, this procedure is technically demanding and carries a high complication risk. The level of difficulty in performing ESD is influenced by the location of the lesion.

Assessment of efficacy and safety of advanced endoscopic irreversible electroporation catheter in the esophagus.

Nonthermal irreversible electroporation (NTIRE) is emerging as a promising tissue ablation technique. However, maintaining irreversible electroporation (IRE) electrodes against displacement during strong esophageal spasms remains an obstacle. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of newly designed balloon-type endoscopic IRE catheters.

Propensity score-matched analysis of physician-controlled wire-guided cannulation as an effective technique against difficult cannulation in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: A retrospective study.

Background: Advanced endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) cannulation strategies for difficult cases could replace conventional techniques, in which assistants control guidewires. We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of a new salvage cannulation strategy, physician-controlled wire-guided cannulation (PCWGC), with those of a conventional strategy.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with naïve papillae who underwent ERCP between January 2018 and December 2020.

Observation for the feasibility of a bile duct biopsy technique using a loop-tip guidewire during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Endoscopists frequently have difficulty approaching biliary lesions using biopsy forceps. The aim of this study was not only to describe an easy technique for biliary biopsy assisted by a looped guidewire but also to present preliminary results regarding its safety and feasibility. A preliminary proof-of-concept study was performed at a single tertiary medical center.

Bowel Preparation Efficacy and Safety of 1 L vs 2 L Polyethylene Glycol With Ascorbic Acid for Colonoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid (PEG/Asc) is a well-established bowel preparation solution with guaranteed effectiveness and safety. A new low-volume agent, 1 L-PEG/Asc, has recently been released. This study aimed to compare the bowel cleansing efficacy and safety of 1 L-PEG/Asc and 2 L-PEG/Asc administered to adult outpatients in a split-dose manner.

Clinical Features and Long-term Prognosis of Crohn's Disease in Korea: Results from the Prospective CONNECT Study.

Background/aims: The prospective Crohn's Disease Clinical Network and Cohort Study is a nationwide multicenter cohort study of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in Korea, aiming to prospectively investigate the clinical features and long-term prognosis associated with CD.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with CD between January 2009 and September 2019 were prospectively enrolled. They were divided into two cohorts according to the year of diagnosis: cohort 1 (diagnosed between 2009 and 2011) versus cohort 2 (between 2012 and 2019).

Colonic stenting as a bridge to surgery for obstructive colon cancer: is it safe in the long term?

Background: The placement of a self-expanding metal stent in patients with obstructive colon cancer is used as a bridge to surgery. However, due to a lack of consensus and insufficient data, the long-term oncologic outcomes after colonic SEMS placement remain unclear. We assessed the long-term oncologic outcomes and adverse effects of colonic stenting for malignant colonic obstruction.

Efficacy and Safety of TJP-008 Compared to 2 L PEG with Ascorbate in Colon Cleansing: A Randomized Phase 3 Trial.

Background/aims: Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based bowel preparations are effective cleansing agents for colonoscopy. However, they require relatively large volumes to be used even with agents such as 2 L PEG with ascorbate (2LPEG). This phase 3, randomized, single-blinded, multicenter, parallel-group study compared the efficacy of 1 L PEG with high-dose ascorbate, TJP-008, to 2LPEG.

Efficacy and safety of split-dose bowel preparation with 1 L polyethylene glycol and ascorbate compared with 2 L polyethylene glycol and ascorbate in a Korean population: a phase IV, multicenter, randomized, endoscopist-blinded study.

Background And Aims: The 1-L polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based bowel preparation agent NER1006 (Plenvu; Norgine, Harefield, UK) has shown high cleansing efficacy and tolerability in clinical trials in Europe and North America. However, no clinical trials have yet been reported in Asia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 1L PEG-based bowel preparation with Plenvu compared with 2L PEG plus ascorbate bowel preparation in a Korean population.

Effect of histological examination on the diagnosis of pancreatic mass using endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a well-established method for the diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions. However, the diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA for pancreatic lesions varies at around 70-90%. Samples from EUS-FNA consist of cells and tissues that can be analyzed separately, and the results can be combined for a final diagnosis.

Quality of Life in Newly Diagnosed Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis: Changes in the MOSAIK Cohort Over 1 Year.

Background/aims: Improving quality of life has been gaining importance in ulcerative colitis (UC) management. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in health-related quality of life (HRQL) and related factors in patients with moderate-to-severe UC.

Methods: A multicenter, hospital-based, prospective study was performed using a Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis Cohort in Korea (the MOSAIK).

agglutinin-reactive fraction of alpha-fetoprotein improves diagnostic accuracy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Diagnostic accuracy of various tumor markers and their combinations for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was not fully investigated.

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), the agglutinin-reactive fraction of AFP (AFP-L3), and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) and their combination for HCC diagnosis.

Methods: Patients with newly detected liver mass or elevated serum AFP levels were considered eligible.

Feasibility and effectiveness of endoscopic irreversible electroporation for the upper gastrointestinal tract: an experimental animal study.

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a local non-thermal ablative technique currently used to treat solid tumors. Here, we investigated the clinical potency and safety of IRE with an endoscope in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Pigs were electroporated with recently designed endoscopic IRE catheters in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection using a detachable assistant robot: a comparative in vivo feasibility study (with video).

Background: Appropriate tissue tension and clear visibility of the dissection area using traction are essential for effective and safe endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We developed a robotic assistive traction device for flexible endoscopy and compared its safety and efficiency in ESD between experienced and novice endoscopists.

Methods: Robotic ESD was performed by experienced and novice endoscopist groups (n = 2, each).

Natural killer cell activity is a risk factor for the recurrence risk after curative treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells have been known to contribute to surveillance and control of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the association of NK cell activity with stage and recurrence risk of HCC have not been fully evaluated.

Methods: Untreated patients with newly diagnosed HCC were prospectively enrolled.

Artificial intelligence-assisted analysis of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography image for identifying ampulla and difficulty of selective cannulation.

The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has facilitated its application in medical fields. However, there has been little research for AI-assisted endoscopy, despite the clinical significance of the efficiency and safety of cannulation in the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In this study, we aim to assist endoscopists performing ERCP through automatic detection of the ampulla and the identification of cannulation difficulty.

Feasibility of Wearable Display Glasses for Medical Students in the Endoscopy Room.

Background/aims: Several attempts have been made to incorporate smart glasses in the medical field. We applied wearable display glasses to show the position of an observer during endoscopy and compared students' responses between the conventional and new methods.

Methods: We surveyed 28 medical students regarding the use of wearable display devices.

Serum milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 protein as a potential biomarker for metabolic syndrome.

Background/aims: Useful biomarkers for metabolic syndrome have been insufficient. We investigated the performance of serum milk fat globule-EGF factor-8 (MFG-E8), the key mediator of inflammatory pathway, in diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.

Methods: Subjects aged between 30 and 64 years were prospectively enrolled in the Seoul Metabolic Syndrome cohort.

Direct Bilirubin Is More Valuable than Total Bilirubin for Predicting Prognosis in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Most prognostic prediction models for patients with liver cirrhosis include serum total bilirubin (TB) level as a component. This study investigated prognostic performance of serum direct bilirubin (DB) and developed new DB level-based prediction models for cirrhosis.

Methods: A total of 983 hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis were included.