Current status of pulmonary rehabilitation and impact on prognosis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in South Korea.

Background: The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have been limited to improving dyspnea, exercise capacity, and quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the current status of PR and its effect on prognosis.

Methods: The Nationwide Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database was used in this study.

Impact of antifibrotic therapy on lung cancer incidence and mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are at risk of lung cancer development. Antifibrotic therapy could slow disease progression of IPF, but there is limited data on its effectiveness on lung cancer. Here, we aimed to investigate lung cancer incidence and the risk of mortality of patients with IPF receiving antifibrotic therapy.

Lung cancer organoid-based drug evaluation models and new drug development application trends.

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality rates in both men and women worldwide. Although anticancer drugs are prescribed to treat lung cancer patients, individual responses to these drugs vary, making it crucial to identify the most suitable treatment for each patient. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an anticancer drug efficacy prediction model that can analyze drug efficacy before patient treatment and establish personalized treatment strategies.

Risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Asian patients with primary biliary cholangitis: A nationwide and hospital cohort study.

Background & Aims: Large-scale studies on the association between primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Asians are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of HCC and its risk factors in a nationwide cohort.

Methods: The data of 4,882 patients with PBC and 38,603 matched controls were extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (2007-2020) and analyzed.

Erratum to: Corrigendum: 2023 Korean Society of Menopause - Osteoporosis Guidelines Part I.

This corrects the article on p. 126 in vol. 30, PMID: 39315504.

Sarcopenic Obesity: A Comprehensive Approach for Postmenopausal Women.

Sarcopenic obesity, characterized by the concurrent presence of muscle loss and obesity, poses significant health challenges, especially in the elderly. This review explores the impact of sarcopenic obesity on disability, metabolic health, comorbidities, and potential management strategies. With the aging global population, the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity is expected to increase, necessitating a comprehensive management approach.

Diabetes Fact Sheets in Korea 2024.

Backgruound: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, management, and comorbidities of diabetes mellitus among Korean adults.

Methods: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019-2022) were analyzed to assess the prevalence, treatment, risk factors, and comorbidities of diabetes. Comparisons between young and older adults with diabetes were emphasized.

Big Data Research for Diabetes-Related Diseases Using the Korean National Health Information Database.

The Korean National Health Information Database (NHID), which contains nationwide real-world claims data including sociodemographic data, health care utilization data, health screening data, and healthcare provider information, is a powerful resource to test various hypotheses. It is also longitudinal in nature due to the recommended health checkup every 2 years and is appropriate for long-term follow-up study as well as evaluating the relationships between health outcomes and changes in parameters such as lifestyle factors, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory results. However, because these data are not collected for research purposes, precise operational definitions of diseases are required to facilitate big data analysis using the Korean NHID.

Polymerization of resin cements by self-curing with or without adhesive treatment.

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in degree of conversion (DC) between resin cements polymerized with an adhesive and those without an adhesive. The secondary aim was to compare interfacial gap of zirconia restoration when resin cements are self-cured. The DC of resin cement was measured without adhesive treatment continuously for 15 min and at 24 h.

Switching to Besifovir in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Receiving Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate: A Randomized Trial.

Background/aims: Besifovir (BSV) showed comparable antiviral activity superior safety profiles to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, no data are available regarding the antiviral efficacy and safety of BSV in patients with CHB who switched from long-term TDF to BSV. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of a 48-week BSV therapy in patients with CHB who switched from long-term TDF treatment.

Change in exacerbation rate of COPD patients before and after COVID-19 infection.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected global health system, significantly altering not only the acute management of viral infection, but also management strategies for chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on exacerbation rates and the economic burden in patients with COPD. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the national insurance reimbursement data of South Korea.

Retinal detachment after acute retinal necrosis: a retrospective analysis of hospitalized patients.

Purpose: To review hospitalized patients with Acute Retinal Necrosis (ARN) and investigate factors associated with subsequent retinal detachment (RD).

Study Design: Retrospective.

Methods: The study included 40 patients (42 eyes), categorized into non-RD (23 eyes) and RD (19 eyes) groups.

mtSTAT3 suppresses rheumatoid arthritis by regulating Th17 and synovial fibroblast inflammatory cell death with IL-17-mediated autophagy dysfunction.

Th17 cells are activated by STAT3 factors in the nucleus, and these factors are correlated with the pathologic progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of STAT3 in mitochondria, but its function is unclear. We investigated the novel role of mitochondrial STAT3 (mitoSTAT3) in Th17 cells and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) and analyzed the correlation of mitoSTAT3 with RA.

Clinical feasibility of deep learning-driven magnetic resonance angiography collateral map in acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke.

To validate the clinical feasibility of deep learning-driven magnetic resonance angiography (DL-driven MRA) collateral map in acute ischemic stroke. We employed a 3D multitask regression and ordinal regression deep neural network, called as 3D-MROD-Net, to generate DL-driven MRA collateral maps. Two raters graded the collateral perfusion scores of both conventional and DL-driven MRA collateral maps and measured the grading time.

The presence of clonal isotype switch after autologous stem cell transplantation as a prognostic biomarker for long-term survival in patients with multiple myeloma.

Clonal isotype switch (CIS) in multiple myeloma (MM) refers to the emergence of new immunoglobulin bands distinct from those present at diagnosis. CIS often appears after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), reflecting post-transplant immune recovery. However, its prognostic significance remains unclear.

GX-188E DNA vaccine plus pembrolizumab in HPV 16- and/or 18-positive recurrent or advance cervical cancer: a phase 2 trial.

Background: In an interim analysis of this phase 2 trial, adding the GX-188E vaccine to pembrolizumab resulted in manageable toxicity with antitumor activities in patients with recurrent or advanced cervical cancer. Here, we report the final safety and efficacy results after a long-term follow-up at the study's completion.

Methods: This open-label, single-arm, phase II trial was conducted in nine hospitals in South Korea (ClinicalTrials.

Evaluation of health-related quality of life and performance in intestinal transplant and rehabilitation patients: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in intestinal failure (IF) patients after different modes of intestinal rehabilitation.

Methods: HRQoL was assessed using the generic 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36, ver. 2) and visual analogue scale (VAS) in 6 different areas: diet, sleep, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, and other symptoms.

Conversion Therapy for Stage IV Gastric Cancer: Report From the Expert Consensus Meeting at KINGCA WEEK 2024.

Conversion therapy is a treatment strategy that shifts from palliative systemic therapy to curative surgical treatment for primary and/or metastatic stage IV gastric cancer (GC). To address its clinical statements, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association aims to present a consensus on conversion therapy among experts attending KINGCA WEEK 2024. The KINGCA Scientific Committee and Development Working Group for Korean Practice Guidelines prepared preformulated topics and 9 clinical statements for conversion therapy.

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.

Korean Practice Guidelines for Gastric Cancer 2024: An Evidence-based, Multidisciplinary Approach (Update of 2022 Guideline).

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers in both Korea and worldwide. Since 2004, the Korean Practice Guidelines for Gastric Cancer have been regularly updated, with the 4th edition published in 2022. The 4th edition was the result of a collaborative work by an interdisciplinary team, including experts in gastric surgery, gastroenterology, endoscopy, medical oncology, abdominal radiology, pathology, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, and guideline development methodology.

Loss of Kat2b impairs intraflagellar transport and the Hedgehog signaling pathway in primary cilia.

Primary cilia are sensory organelles that regulate various signaling pathways. When microtubules are compared to a highway, motor proteins carry and transport cargo proteins, which are tuned by post-translational modifications, such as acetylation. However, the role of acetylation in primary cilia regulation remains unclear.

Effectiveness of Buspirone in Alleviating Anxiety Symptoms in Patients with Depressive Disorder: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study in Korea.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of buspirone as an adjunctive therapy for alleviating anxiety symptoms in patients with depressive disorders who are already taking antidepressants.

Methods: This was an open-label prospective multicenter non-interventional observational study conducted over 12 weeks. We enrolled 180 patients diagnosed with depressive disorders according to DSM-5 criteria and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) scores ≥ 18.