Prognostic value of gray-white matter ratio measured by brain MRI-based CT structures in comatose patients after cardiac arrest.

Background: Post-cardiac arrest care advancements have improved resuscitation outcomes, but many survivors still face severe neurological deficits or death from brain injury. Herein, we propose a consistent prognosis prediction approach using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to analyze anatomical regions represented by the gray and white matter, and subsequently apply it on computed tomography (CT) to calculate the gray-white matter ratio (GWR). We compared this novel method with traditional measures to validate its ability to predict the prognosis of patients resuscitated after cardiac arrest.

Circulating osteoprotegerin and progression of coronary artery calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease: the KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcome in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (KNOW-CKD).

Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a surrogate of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). To establish the role of circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG) as a cardiovascular biomarker in patients with CKD, we investigated whether an increase in serum OPG levels is associated with the risk of CAC progression.

Methods: A total of 1,130 patients with CKD stage 1 to predialysis 5 were divided into quartiles according to serum OPG levels (Q1 to Q4).

Identification of risk factors associated with post-ERCP pancreatitis in patients with easy cannulation: A prospective multicenter observational study.

Background And Aims: Difficult biliary cannulation is an independent risk factor for post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP); however, there is a noticeable lack of studies focusing on the incidence and risk factors of PEP among patients undergoing easy cannulation. Therefore, we aimed to systematically investigate the risk factors for PEP in patients who underwent easy cannulation.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with naïve major papillae who underwent diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP between June 2018 and June 2023.

Impact of Early Oral Feeding on Postoperative Outcomes after Elective Colorectal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of early oral feeding (EOF), a key component of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols, on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.

Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed databases to include randomized clinical trials comparing EOF that started on postoperative day 1 and conventional oral feeding that commenced after first flatus. Two authors independently screened the retrieved records and extracted data.

Factors affecting the occurrence of maxillary sinus fungus ball.

Objective: We identified patients who initially did not have a maxillary sinus fungus ball on computed tomography (CT) but developed it on a subsequent CT scan. We assessed potential risk factors for developing a maxillary sinus fungus ball between the two scans.

Patients And Methods: This study included 35 patients with 38 lesions who initially had no maxillary sinus fungus balls on CT but were later diagnosed with the condition and underwent surgery.

Fractional Flow Reserve and Fractional Flow Reserve Gradient From CCTA for Predicting Future Coronary Events.

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a per-vessel index reflecting cumulative hemodynamic burden while coronary events occur in focal lesions.

Objectives: The authors sought to evaluate the additive prognostic value of the local gradient of FFR (FFR gradient) in addition to FFR to predict future coronary events.

Methods: The current study included 245 patients (634 vessels) who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography within 6 to 36 months before the index angiography, of which 209 vessels had future coronary events and 425 vessels did not.

Management of Le Fort I Fractures.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: This retrospective study aims to analyze the results of Le Fort I fracture treatment, with a focus on addressing malocclusion related to the fractures.

Methods: The study included 43 patients diagnosed with Le Fort I fractures who underwent open reduction and internal fixation.

Navigating shared decision-making after the Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision Act: a qualitative study of in-depth interviews with terminal cancer patients, families, and healthcare professionals.

Purpose: End-of-life decision-making, particularly relating to withholding life-sustaining treatment (LST), is a complex and emotionally charged process involving healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers.

Methods: This qualitative study explored the decision-making process in South Korea, where cultural norms and ethical considerations influence the dynamics of shared decision-making (SDM). In-depth interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers using a grounded theory approach to elucidate the themes and processes underlying SDM for LST.

Intravenous versus oral iron supplementation for iron deficiency anemia in patients with rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Numerous studies have been conducted to manage anemia in surgical patients through iron supplementation as an alternative to blood transfusion. However, patients with locally advanced rectal cancer have often been excluded from these studies, due to their standard treatment involving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. This study aims to evaluate the impact of intravenous versus oral iron supplementation on iron deficiency anemia in patients with rectal cancer receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

Developmental trajectories of atopic dermatitis with multiomics approaches in the infant gut: COCOA birth cohort.

Background: An understanding of the phenotypes and endotypes of atopic dermatitis (AD) is essential for developing precision therapies. Recent studies have demonstrated evidence for the gut-skin axis in AD.

Objective: We sought to determine the natural course and clinical characteristics of AD phenotypes and investigate their mechanisms on the basis of multiomics analyses.

Safety and efficacy of antiplatelet therapy in patients with intermediate coronary artery stenosis and deferred revascularization.

Introduction And Objectives: This study investigated the safety and efficacy of antiplatelet therapy in patients with intermediate coronary artery stenosis who underwent deferred revascularization due to their fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Methods: A nationwide cohort study was conducted using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. A total of 4657 patients with intermediate coronary artery stenosis who underwent deferred revascularization due to their FFR were identified from 2013 to 2020.

Efficacy and safety of safinamide in Parkinson's disease patients with motor fluctuations without levodopa dosage escalation over 18 weeks: KEEP study.

This multicentre, prospective, single-arm study evaluated safinamide as add-on therapy to levodopa in Korean patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with motor fluctuations with ≥ 1.5 h of "off" time daily, who took levodopa ≥ 3 times/day (n = 199). Baseline levodopa and dopamine agonist doses were maintained without escalation during the 18-week treatment period.

Association between focal amyloid deposition and cognitive impairment in individuals below the amyloid threshold.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of individuals with amyloid levels below the threshold. To achieve this, we differentiated between two groups: those with global amyloid negativity but focal deposition [G(-)F(+)] and those without focal deposition [G(-)F(-)].

Materials And Methods: A total of 2,677 participants were diagnosed with cognitive unimpairment (CU) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Prognostic significance of phase analysis using SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD) is an important prognostic factor for heart failure (HF). Phase analysis of myocardial perfusion SPECT is actively being researched to evaluate LVMD. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prognostic significance of LVMD using gated SPECT in HF patient.

Rationale and design of the efficacy and safety of combination of cilostazol and gingko biloba extract EGb 761 in patients with acute non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke (RENEW): A pilot and feasibility randomized controlled trial.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is the standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Cilostazol has emerged as a safe alternative with pleiotropic effects that prevent stroke without increasing the risk of bleeding and has been shown to reduce neurological deterioration (ND) in the acute phase. Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) has also been reported to improve neurological impairment following AIS.

Patient-reported mental health problems and clinical outcomes in adults with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease.

Background: Mental health affects well-being and physical health. Among adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), mental health (MH) problems are common and can induce adverse clinical outcomes. We examined the association between patient-reported MH problems and clinical outcomes in adults with non-dialysis CKD.

as a Prognostic Biomarker: Linking Copy Number Variation to EMT and Survival in Colon Cancer.

The role of biomarkers in cancer treatment varies significantly depending on the cancer stage. Thus, in clinical practice, tailoring biomarkers to meet the specific needs and challenges of each cancer stage can increase the precision of treatment. Because they reflect underlying genetic alterations that influence cancer progression, copy number variation (CNV) biomarkers can play crucial prognostic roles.

Clinical Impact of Sarcopenia Screening on Long-Term Mortality in Patients Undergoing Coronary Bypass Grafting.

Background: Sarcopenia is an aging-related condition characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass and is an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis. The relationship between reduced muscle mass and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with advanced coronary artery disease who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is not fully understood. This study is sought to evaluate the prognostic implications of sarcopenia screening in patients undergoing CABG.