Stage dependent microbial dynamics in hepatocellular carcinoma and adjacent normal liver tissues.

The interactive pathway of the gut-liver axis underscores the significance of microbiome modulation in the pathogenesis and progression of various liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to investigate the disparities in the composition and functionality of the hepatic microbiota between tumor tissues and adjacent normal liver tissues, and their implications in the etiology of HCC. We conducted a comparative analysis of the hepatic microbiome between adjacent normal liver tissues and tumor tissues from HCC patients.

Clinical outcomes of Asian patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation and previously diagnosed atrial fibrillation: Insights from the CODE-AF Registry.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) may have different clinical features in its early phase.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics and clinical outcomes of early-phase AF with later-phase AF using a large multicenter prospective registry (CODE-AF [COmparison study of Drugs for symptom control and complication prEvention of Atrial Fibrillation]).

Methods: Patients enrolled between June 2016 and March 2021 were divided into 2 groups based on AF duration: (1) newly diagnosed (AF duration ≤90 days); and (2) previously diagnosed (AF duration >90 days).

The Significance of an Initial Controlling Nutritional Status Score in Predicting the Functional Outcome, Complications, and Mortality in a First-Ever Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Nutritional status can influence the outcomes and mortality of various diseases. The association between initial nutritional status and ischemic stroke outcomes, however, remains poorly understood. This study investigated whether the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score at admission could predict functional recovery, complications, and survival following an ischemic stroke.

Pharmacokinetics of Vancomycin in Healthy Korean Volunteers and Monte Carlo Simulations to Explore Optimal Dosage Regimens in Patients with Normal Renal Function.

: To date, population pharmacokinetic (PK) studies of vancomycin on healthy Korean adults have not been conducted. This study aimed to investigate the PK properties of vancomycin in healthy volunteers and to identify optimal dosing regimens based on the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) in adult patients with normal renal function. : We conducted a prospective clinical study, analysing PK samples from 12 healthy participants using noncompartmental analysis and non-linear mixed-effects modelling.

Lymphadenopathy Secondary to Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mistaken for Malignant Lymphoma.

Objective: It is difficult to identify disease entities underlying lymphadenopathy in the head and neck region based solely on imaging. This often results in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (Sqcc)-induced lymphadenopathy being mistaken for lymphoma. This study aimed to analyze clinical characteristics and computed tomographic features that aid in distinguishing between metastatic Sqcc and lymphoma when lymphadenopathy resembles a large solitary lymphoma.

Impact of symptom-to-balloon time in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and complex lesions.

Aims: Considering the limited data regarding clinical outcomes of patients with non-ST-segment on the ECG elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), this study compared the outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with newer-generation drug-eluting stents stratified by the presence/absence of complex lesions and symptom-to-balloon time (SBT; <48 h or ≥48 h).

Methods: We enrolled 4373 patients with NSTEMI from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institute of Health dataset and stratified them into the complex group (2106 patients; SBT < 48 h, n  = 1365; SBT ≥48 h, n  = 741) and the noncomplex group (2267 patients; SBT < 48 h, n  = 1573; SBT ≥48 h, n  = 694). The primary outcome was the 3-year all-cause mortality rate.

Baseline characteristics and associated factors for hypertension in children with chronic kidney disease: results from the Korean Cohort Study for Outcome in Patients with Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease study.

Background: Hypertension is one of the most important complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) as it exacerbates disease progression in children. The aim of this study is to identify characteristics and factors associated with hypertension in children with CKD.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using baseline data from the 10-year ongoing cohort study named KNOW-PedCKD (Korean Cohort Study for Outcome in Patients with Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease).

Is Farming a Risk Occupation for Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases? A Scoping Review on Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease Risk in Farmers.

Objectives: In Korea, cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CCVD) is recognized as an occupational disease when sufficient evidence of a work-related burden exists. In 2021, approximately 26.8% of the payments from occupational disease insurance under the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act were allocated to CCVDs.

Sex-specific associations between dietary legume subtypes and type 2 diabetes in a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Dietary soy, known for its high phytoestrogen content, has been suggested to exhibit a sex-specific association with type 2 diabetes. However, evidence regarding the sex-specific associations of different legume subtypes with type 2 diabetes remains scarce. We aimed to evaluate whether habitual consumption of soy and non-soy legumes (beans and peanuts) was prospectively and sex-specifically associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes incidence, taking into considering significant sex-specific genetic factors beyond legume consumption.

Real-World Application of Evolocumab Among Patients with Hyperlipidemia in Korea: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

Introduction: Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major residual risk factor among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In the absence of sufficient real-world evidence, this observational (noninterventional) study investigated the effectiveness and safety of evolocumab in patients with hyperlipidemia treated with evolocumab for ACS in a real-world clinical setting in Korea.

Methods: Between January 2022 and February 2023, patients from 10 hospitals in Korea who initiated evolocumab within 24 weeks of an ACS event were enrolled.

Impact of diabetes mellitus and hypertension on renal function during first-line targeted therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a retrospective multicenter study.

Background: Renal function deterioration during systemic therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is a long-term concern in treatment planning. Although hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are the most common factors that affect chronic kidney disease (CKD) development and progression, their impact on renal function during targeted therapy is unclear. This study investigated whether DM and HTN were associated with a decline in renal function during first-line targeted therapy for mRCC.

Testosterone Replacement in Men with Sexual Dysfunction: An Abridged Version of the Cochrane Systematic Review.

Purpose: To assess the effects of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) compared to placebo or other medical treatments in men with sexual dysfunction.

Materials And Methods: We performed a comprehensive search with no restrictions on publication language or status up to 29 August 2023. We only included randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

2024 Korean Society of Myocardial Infarction/National Evidence-Based Healthcare Collaborating Agency Guideline for the Pharmacotherapy of Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Many countries have published clinical practice guidelines for appropriate clinical decisions, optimal treatment, and improved clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Developing guidelines that are specifically tailored to the Korean environment is crucial, considering the treatment system, available medications and medical devices, racial differences, and level of language communication. In 2017, the Korean Society of Myocardial Infarction established a guideline development committee.

The Effects of Nicotine on Re-endothelialization, Inflammation, and Neoatherosclerosis After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation in a Porcine Model.

Background And Objectives: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. Nicotine, a crucial constituent of tobacco, contributes to atherosclerosis development and progression. However, evidence of the association between nicotine and neointima formation is limited.

Statin Use and the Progression of Coronary Artery Calcification in CKD: Findings From the KNOW-CKD Study.

Introduction: Statin treatment can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Paradoxically, previous studies have shown that the use of statin is associated with the progression coronary artery calcification (CAC), a well-known predictor of CVD, in individuals with preserved renal function or in patients on dialysis. However, little is known about the association in patients with predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Taltirelin Hydrate in Patients with Ataxia Due to Spinocerebellar Degeneration.

Objective: We conducted this study to assess the efficacy and safety of taltirelin hydrate (TH) in spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD).

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to either the taltirelin group (5 mg orally, twice daily) or the control group. The primary endpoint was changes in the Korean version of Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (K-SARA) scores at 24 weeks.