Randomized Comparison of Progression of Atherosclerotic Plaques and Calcification of Coronary Artery in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Treated With Edoxaban Versus Warfarin (The REPRESENT-AF trial).

Although the adverse effects of long-term use of vitamin K oral anticoagulant (OAC), warfarin, on the coronary vasculature are well-established, it remains unknown whether nonvitamin K oral anticoagulants play a role in the attenuation of plaque progression and coronary calcification. This study aimed to compare the changes in atherosclerotic plaques and calcification of the coronary arteries in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with edoxaban and warfarin. A total of 150 OAC-naïve patients with AF and atherosclerotic lesions on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) were enrolled and randomly assigned to the edoxaban or warfarin treatment groups.

Quantitative analysis of blooming artifact caused by calcification based on X-ray energy difference using computed tomography.

Blooming artifacts caused by calcifications appearing on computed tomography (CT) images lead to an underestimation of the coronary artery lumen size, and higher X-ray energy levels are suggested to reduce the blooming artifacts with subjective visual assessment. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of higher X-ray energy levels on the quantitative measurement of adjacent pixels affected by calcification using CT images. In this two-part study, CT images were acquired from dual-energy CT scanners by changing the X-ray energy levels such as kilovoltage peak (kVp) and kilo-electron volts (keV).

[Coronary CT Angiography-Based Assessment of Coronary in-Stent Restenosis: A Journey through Past and Present Trends].

Treatment of patients with coronary artery disease commonly involves the use of balloon-expandable stent placements, currently recognized as the most prevalent approach for coronary artery revascularization. Nevertheless, the occurrence of restenosis remains a significant complication following percutaneous coronary interventions. The diagnostic role of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in detecting stent restenosis has limitations primarily attributable to challenges in accurately discerning the lumen, due to issues such as blooming and motion artifacts.

Computed Tomography Measurement of the Aorta in Midaortic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents and Their Clinical Manifestations and Outcomes.

Midaortic syndrome (MAS) presents challenges in diagnosis due to the absence of well-defined diagnostic criteria in pediatric patients. This retrospective study aimed to aid in the diagnosis of MAS by employing computed tomography (CT) to measure the z-score of the aorta as well as to identify and understand its clinical features. CT images, echocardiography findings, and medical records of 17 patients diagnosed with MAS between 1997 and 2023 were reviewed, and z-scores were calculated.

An extreme case of cor triatriatum mimicking hypoplastic left heart syndrome and combined pulmonary vein stenosis.

A 65-day-old girl presented to the emergency room with lethargy, requiring emergency venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory cardiogenic shock. Initially, hypoplastic left heart syndrome was suspected. However, cor triatriatum with a pinpoint opening on the membrane was diagnosed based on a detailed echocardiographic examination.

Usefulness of two-dimensional shear wave elastography in diagnosing hepatic veno-occlusive disease in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) in diagnosing hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) in pediatric patients.

Methods: This study retrospectively included pediatric patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) between November 2019 and January 2021. All 34 patients (8.

Deep neural network for automatic volumetric segmentation of whole-body CT images for body composition assessment.

Background & Aims: Body composition analysis on CT images is a valuable tool for sarcopenia assessment. We aimed to develop and validate a deep neural network applicable to whole-body CT images of PET-CT scan for the automatic volumetric segmentation of body composition.

Methods: For model development, one hundred whole-body or torso F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT scans of 100 patients were retrospectively included.

Determinants Used to Justify the Strength of Recommendations among Korean Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Background: A standardized systematic approach to grade evidence and the strength of recommendations is important for guideline users to minimize bias and help interpret the most suitable decisions at the point of care. The study aims to identify and classify determinants used to make judgement for the strength of recommendations among 56 Korean clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), and explore strong recommendations based on low quality of evidence.

Methods: Determinants used in the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach among 34 CPGs which have reported both strength of recommendations and level of evidence were reviewed.

What Factors Impact Consumer Perception of the Effectiveness of Health Information Sites? An Investigation of the Korean National Health Information Portal.

Lay public's concerns around health and health information are increasing. In response, governments and government agencies are establishing websites to address such concerns and improve health literacy by providing better access to validated health information. Since 2011, the Korean government has constructed the National Health Information Portal (NHIP) website run in collaboration with the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences (KAMS).

Methodological Quality Appraisal of 27 Korean Guidelines Using a Scoring Guide Based on the AGREE II Instrument and a Web-based Evaluation.

This study evaluated the methodological quality of CPGs using the Korean AGREE II scoring guide and a web-based appraisal system and was conducted by qualified appraisers. A total of 27 Korean CPGs were assessed under 6 domains and 23 items on the AGREE II instrument using the Korean scoring guide. The domain scores of the 27 guidelines were as following: the mean domain score was 82.

Does Objective Structured Clinical Examinations Score Reflect the Clinical Reasoning Ability of Medical Students?

Background: Clinical reasoning ability is an important factor in a physician's competence and thus should be taught and tested in medical schools. Medical schools generally use objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE) to measure the clinical competency of medical students. However, it is unknown whether OSCE can also evaluate clinical reasoning ability.

Exploration of a leadership competency model for medical school faculties in Korea.

Purpose: To adapt to rapid and turbulent changes in the field of medicine, education, and society, medical school faculties need appropriate leadership. To develop leadership competencies through education, coaching, and mentoring, we need a leadership competency model. The purpose of this study was to develop a new leadership competency model that is suitable for medical school faculties in Korea.

Effect of patient safety education in surgical clerkship to develop competencies for managing and preventing medical errors.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to define the necessity and effectiveness of patient safety education during surgical clerkship to develop competency for managing and preventing medical errors.

Methods: Fifty 3rd-year students participated in the patient safety education program during a 4-week surgical clerkship. The students were divided into 4 groups: control group, pretest-only group, education-only group, and pretest and education group.

Correlations of Communication and Interpersonal Skills between Medical Students and Residents.

Purpose: Medical students' communication and interpersonal skills can be evaluated by standardized patients in a clinical performance examination (CPX). The purpose of this study is to investigate which communication and interpersonal skills are more closely correlated between medical students and residents.

Methods: This study included 2nd-year residents in 2009 who took the eight-station CPX as 4th-year medical students in 2006.

Development of the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences Guideline for rating physical impairment.

Systematic and effective welfare for the disabled is possible when there are scientific and objective criteria demonstrating either presence or severity of the impairment. We need our own scientific criteria suitable for our culture and society, since the impairment is influenced by them. In 2007, we established the Developing Committee of Korean Academy of Medical Sciences (KAMS) Guideline for Impairment Rating under KAMS supervision.

OSCE for the Medical Licensing Examination in Korea.

Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) will be introduced in the Medical Licensing Examination in Korea next year. To evaluate the competency of new medical graduates, a written examination is not sufficient to test the clinical skills and attitudes of medical school graduates. The Korean Society of Medical Education and National Health Personnel Licensing Examination Board have been preparing for OSCEs to be included in the licensing examination for a number of years, following the declaration by the Minister of Health and Welfare, of the Korean Government.

Polymorphism of nine X chromosomal STR loci in Koreans.

This study describes the polymorphism of the nine STR loci on the X chromosome, DXS6803, DXS8378, GATA164A09, DXS7132, DXS7133, DXS9895, DXS9898, DXS6789, and DXS6795 in Koreans. In each locus, 4-10 alleles were noted and the allelic distribution patterns were the same for males and females. Heterozygosity in females ranged from 0.

Polymorphism in the mitochondrial cytochrome B gene in Koreans. An additional marker for individual identification.

Sequencing the mitochondrial control region is very useful for individual identification when conventional DNA typing using autosomal STRs is unavailable. However, low discriminatory power is a problem and another polymorphic locus within the mitochondrial genome is necessary. The cytochrome B (MTCYB) gene, which has undergone several changes during evolution, may be a good candidate for this purpose.

Histopathological changes of the liver after praziquantel treatment in Clonorchis sinensis infected rabbits.

The rabbits were infected with Clnorchis sinensis and were treated with praziquantel at the dose of 50 mg/kg x 2 x 2 days afer 1, 2, 4, 8 weeks and 7 months from the infection. Their livers were observed histopathologically 1, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment. The findings are summarized as below: The changes of the liver in control rabbits were relatively mild until 2 weeks after infection.