Assessment of the efficacy of on-demand tegoprazan therapy in gastroesophageal reflux disease through a randomized controlled trial.

In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) whose symptoms improve with acid-suppression therapy, on-demand treatment could constitute maintenance therapy. This study investigated the comparative efficacy and safety of on-demand tegoprazan and proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy in GERD. From six university hospitals in the Daejeon-Chungcheong region, we enrolled patients with GERD who had experienced symptomatic improvement with acid-suppressive therapy and, using a randomization table, randomly allocated these participants to two groups: to receive either tegoprazan 50 mg + esomeprazole placebo or tegoprazan placebo + esomeprazole 20 mg, respectively.

Factors Affecting the Response and Patient Satisfaction of Topical Immunotherapy in Alopecia Areata: A Nationwide Study.

Background: Contact immunotherapy using diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is a recommended treatment for severe alopecia areata (AA); however, few clinical factors are known, and few standardized application methods affecting therapeutic efficacy have been devised.

Objective: To confirm the therapeutic response of DPCP immunotherapy in AA, first we analyze the factors influencing its outcome and patient satisfaction levels, after which we standardize the DPCP treatment method for better outcomes.

Methods: We utilized a nationwide questionnaire-based survey to assess patient satisfaction and undertook a medical record review involving 412 patients currently undergoing treatment for DPCP.

Surgical quality assessment for the prospective study of oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic modified complete mesocolic excision for nonmetastatic right colon cancer (PIONEER study).

Background: The modified complete mesocolic excision (mCME) procedure for right-sided colon cancer is a tailored approach based on the original complete mesocolic excision (CME) methodology. Limited studies evaluated the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic mCME using objective surgical quality assessments in patients with right colon cancer. The objectives of the PIONEER study were to evaluate oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic mCME and to identify optimal clinically relevant endpoints and values for standardizing laparoscopic right colon cancer surgery based on short-term outcomes of procedures performed by expert laparoscopic surgeons.

Salvage treatment of forearm arteriovenous fistula with small caliber inflow distal artery by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Background: Dysfunctional distal arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) with small caliber distal inflow arteries theoretically require percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) throughout the entire arterial length. However, in clinical practice, whole distal inflow arterial PTA is not frequently performed due to concerns about possible arterial rupture. Therefore, we investigated the safety and efficacy of this procedure at our center, comparing it with the standard venous PTA.

IL-17A and Th17 Cells Contribute to Endometrial Cell Survival by Inhibiting Apoptosis and NK Cell Mediated Cytotoxicity of Endometrial Cells via ERK1/2 Pathway.

Immune status including the immune cells and cytokine profiles has been implicated in the development of endometriosis. In this study, we analyzed Th17 cells and IL-17A in peritoneal fluid (PF) and endometrial tissues of patients with (n=10) and without (n=26) endometriosis. Our study has shown increased Th17 cell population and IL-17A level in PF with endometriosis patients.

Evaluation of outcomes with permanent vascular access in an elderly Korean population based on the National Health Insurance Service database.

Introduction: As nearly half of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who initiate hemodialysis (HD) are over 65 years old (commonly defined as elderly), the fistula first strategy is controversial even in HD patients ≥65 years.

Methods: In Korea's National Health Insurance Service database from 2008 to 2019, 41,989 elderly (≥ 65 years) HD patients were retrospectively reviewed to identify their clinical characteristics and outcomes. Vascular access (VA) patencies, risk factors associated with patencies and patient survival between arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) were compared.

Genome-wide polygenic risk scores for hypertensive disease during pregnancy can also predict the risk for long-term cardiovascular disease.

Background: Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy are associated with the risk of long-term cardiovascular disease after pregnancy, but it has not yet been determined whether genetic predisposition for hypertensive disorders during pregnancy can predict the risk for long-term cardiovascular disease.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the risk for long-term atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease according to polygenic risk scores for hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.

Study Design: Among UK Biobank participants, we included European-descent women (n=164,575) with at least 1 live birth.

Diagnostic Usefulness of Diffusion-Weighted MRI for Axillary Lymph Node Evaluation in Patients with Breast Cancer.

This study aimed to determine whether apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and morphological features on diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) can discriminate metastatic axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) from benign in patients with breast cancer. Two radiologists measured ADC, long and short diameters, long-to-short diameter ratio, and cortical thickness and assessed eccentric cortical thickening, loss of fatty hilum, irregular margin, asymmetry in shape or number, and rim sign of ALNs on DW-MRI and categorized them into benign or suspicious ALNs. Pathologic reports were used as a reference standard.

New prognostic scoring system for mortality in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by modifying the gender, age, and physiology model with desaturation during the six-minute walk test.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD) with variable and heterogeneous clinical course. The GAP (gender, age, and physiology) model had been used to predict mortality in patients with IPF, but does not contain exercise capacity. Therefore, our aim in this study was to develop new prognostic scoring system in the Korea IPF Cohort (KICO) registry.

Parent caregivers' preferences and satisfaction with currently provided childhood cancer survivorship care.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of satisfaction of parent caregivers of childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) with currently provided survivorship care and their preferences for survivorship care provider.

Methods: Study subjects were parent caregivers recruited at three hospitals in Korea. Study data were collected from self-administered questionnaires and medical records.

Impact of Pediatric Alopecia Areata on Quality of Life of Patients and Their Family Members: A Nationwide Multicenter Questionnaire Study.

Background: Pediatric alopecia areata (AA) can affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients and their family members. Research on the QoL and burden on family members in pediatric AA is limited.

Objective: This nationwide multicenter questionnaire study described the QoL and burden of the family members of patients with pediatric AA.

Quantitative analysis of choroidal blood flow parameters in optical coherence tomography and angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate the choriocapillaris (CC) flow in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and determine the relationship between CC flow void with the choroidal thickness (CT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 20 patients with CSC (40 eyes, including unaffected fellow eyes) and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. After compensation with optical coherence tomography (OCT) en-face structural image, the CC flow void (%) was measured using the phansalkar threshold with a window radius of 3 and 15 pixels.

A global perspective on improving patient care in uncomplicated urinary tract infection: expert consensus and practical guidance.

Objectives: Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) are a common problem in female patients. Management is mainly based on empirical prescribing, but there are concerns about overtreatment and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially in patients with recurrent uUTIs.

Methods: A multidisciplinary panel of experts met to discuss diagnosis, treatment, prevention, guidelines, AMR, clinical trial design and the impact of COVID-19 on clinical practice.

Factors associated with the comprehensive needs of caregivers of childhood cancer survivors in Korea.

Purpose: Caregivers of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) have diverse needs, which should be addressed to provide comprehensive cancer care. We aimed to evaluate the unmet needs of caregivers of CCS.

Methods: The subjects were 700 caregivers recruited at three major hospitals in South Korea.

Basilar artery trunk aneurysm: clinical and angiographic outcomes of endovascular treatment.

Background: Basilar artery (BA) trunk aneurysms are rare, and the clinical characteristics and outcomes of endovascular treatment (EVT) remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to report clinical and angiographic outcomes of BA trunk aneurysm treated with EVT and to analyze risk factors for unfavorable outcomes.

Methods: From October 2004 to December 2020, a total of 40 patients with BA trunk aneurysms underwent EVT.

A comparative study of postoperative outcomes between minimally invasive living donor hepatectomy and open living donor hepatectomy: The Korean organ transplantation registry.

Background: This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive living donor hepatectomy in comparison with the open procedure, using Korean Organ Transplantation Registry data.

Methods: We reviewed the prospectively collected data of all 1,694 living liver donors (1,071 men, 623 women) who underwent donor hepatectomy between April 2014 and December 2017. The donors were grouped on the basis of procedure type to the minimally invasive procedure group (n = 304) or to the open procedure group (n = 1,390) and analyzed the relationships between clinical data and complications.

Use of Autologous Stem Cells in Lumbar Spinal Fusion: A Systematic Review of Current Clinical Evidence.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objectives: To systematically review, critically appraise and synthesize evidence on use of autologous stem cells sources for fusion in the lumbar spine.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and ClinicalTrials.

Autologous Stem Cells in Cervical Spine Fusion.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objectives: To systematically review, critically appraise and synthesize evidence on use of stem cells from autologous stem cells from bone marrow aspirate, adipose, or any other autologous sources for fusion in the cervical spine compared with other graft materials.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE was conducted for literature published through October 31, 2018 and through February 20, 2020 for EMBASE and ClinicalTrials.

Prospective study of oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic modified complete mesocolic excision for non-metastatic right colon cancer (PIONEER study): study protocol of a multicentre single-arm trial.

Background: The introduction of complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation (CVL) for right-sided colon cancer has improved the oncologic outcomes. Recently, we have introduced a modified CME (mCME) procedure that keeps the same principles as the originally described CME but with a more tailored approach. Some retrospective studies have reported the favourable oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic mCME for right-sided colon cancer; however, no prospective multicentre study has yet been conducted.

Correction to: Chemoradiation in elderly patients with glioblastoma from the multi‑institutional GBM‑molRPA cohort: is short‑course radiotherapy enough or is it a matter of selection?

The name of author Do Hoon Lim was incorrect in the initial online publication. The original article has been corrected.

Comparison of vascular access patency and patient survival between native arteriovenous fistula and synthetic arteriovenous graft according to age group.

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is historically known to be the ideal option for vascular access (VA) for hemodialysis compared with arteriovenous graft (AVG). However, this approach has been recently questioned in the aging population because of their poor vessel quality and multiple comorbidities.

Methods: Data from a total of 2200 patients from the VA category of The Catholic Medical Center nephrology registry from March 2009 to February 2017 were analyzed.

Chemoradiation in elderly patients with glioblastoma from the multi-institutional GBM-molRPA cohort: is short-course radiotherapy enough or is it a matter of selection?

Background: The optimal radiotherapy regimen in elderly patients with glioblastoma treated by chemoradiation needs to be addressed. We provide the results of a comparison between conventionally fractionated standard radiotherapy (CRT) and short-course radiotherapy (SRT) in those patients treated by temozolomide-based chemoradiation.

Methods: Patients aged 65 years or older from the GBM-molRPA cohort were included.

Smoking, alcohol consumption, and the risk of thyroid cancer: a population-based Korean cohort study of 10 million people.

Background: The association between smoking, alcohol consumption, and thyroid cancer has been evaluated in observational studies, yet the results remain controversial. In the present investigation, we analyzed a longitudinal cohort study with representative data to determine the association between smoking, alcohol consumption, and thyroid cancer risk, allowing for risk modification due to age and sex.

Methods: From the Korean National Health Insurance database, .