Altererythrobacter arenosus sp. nov., Isolated from Marine Sediment.

Strain CAU 1644 was isolated from sea sand at Ganghwa Island, Republic of Korea. The bacterium is aerobic, Gram-staining negative, yellow-colored, non-motile, catalase-positive, and rod-shaped. Cells of strain CAU 1644 grew at 20-40 °C and pH 6.

Clinical Outcome of Cryoballoon Ablation for Long-Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: From the Korean Cryballoon Ablation Registry.

Introduction: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is considered an effective primary strategy for early persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, data regarding CBA for long-standing persistent AF (PeAF) are limited. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of CBA for long-standing PeAF compared to PeAF.

The Incidence of Popeye Deformity After Soft-Tissue Biceps Tenodesis Is Comparable to Biceps Anchor Tenodesis and Lower Than Biceps Tenotomy During Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

Purpose: To compare clinical and radiologic outcomes between biceps anchor tenodesis (AT), biceps soft-tissue tenodesis (ST), and biceps tenotomy (TT) for patients with concomitant rotator cuff repair (RCR).

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed patients who underwent arthroscopic RCR for full-thickness rotator cuff tears with AT, ST, or TT with minimum 2-year follow-up. All biceps procedures were performed arthroscopically, and ST consisted of fixation to the transverse humeral ligament.

Evolution of characteristics of MASLD with and without diabetes: a meta-analysis of placebo arms.

Background: We explored the changes in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) severity over time by analyzing data from the placebo arms of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), focusing on the presence of diabetes.

Methods: RCTs on MASLD that included a placebo arm were identified using a systematic search of the literature. Primary outcomes were changes in hepatic steatosis and fibrosis.

Longitudinal assessment of serum albumin levels with the risk of coronary artery calcification progression in an asymptomatic population of Korean adults: an observational cohort study.

Objectives: This study evaluated the association between serum albumin levels and coronary artery calcification (CAC) progression in asymptomatic adults without hypoalbuminaemia at baseline.

Design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Data from the Korea Initiatives on Coronary Artery Calcification (KOICA) which is a retrospective, single ethnicity, multicentre and observational registry were analysed.

Sex difference in the risk of coronary artery calcification progression related to hyperuricemia among asymptomatic 12,316 Korean adults.

Data on hyperuricemia-related changes in coronary atherosclerosis are limited, especially in sex difference. This study evaluated the association between hyperuricemia and coronary artery calcification (CAC) progression in asymptomatic Korean men and women. We analysed the data of 12,316 asymptomatic adults (51.

Different associations of atherogenic index of plasma, triglyceride glucose index, and hemoglobin A1C levels with the risk of coronary artery calcification progression according to established diabetes.

Background: Both insulin resistance and hyperglycemia are important risk factors for atherosclerosis. While the characteristics of atherosclerosis are obviously different according to established diabetes, little has been known regarding the risk of coronary artery calcification (CAC) progression related to the biomarkers of atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) in conditions with and without diabetes.

Methods: We analyzed 12,326 asymptomatic Korean adults (mean age 51.

Red blood cell transfusion for critically ill patients admitted through the emergency department in South Korea.

Background: Red blood cells (RBCs) are a limited resource, and the adverse effects of transfusion must be considered. Multiple randomized controlled trials on transfusion thresholds have been conducted, leading to the establishment of a restrictive transfusion strategy. This study aimed to investigate the status of RBC transfusions in critically ill patients.

Effect of Calcium Channel Blockers on Antiplatelet Activity of Clopidogrel in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights from the PTRG-DES Consortium.

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are frequently co-administered with clopidogrel in cardiovascular disease. Although an inhibitory drug interaction exists between them, comprehensive large-scale studies for its validation are lacking. We investigated interactions between CCBs and clopidogrel using a large-scale national registry of patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Do Time-Dependent Repeated Measures of Anthropometric and Body Composition Indices Improve the Prediction of Incident Diabetes in the Cohort Study? Findings from a Community-Based Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

Background: Cumulative evidence consistently shows that anthropometric and body composition measurements are strongly linked to the risk of incident diabetes, typically based on baseline measurements. This study aims to assess whether repeated measurements enhance the prediction of diabetes risk beyond baseline assessments alone.

Methods: We utilized data from a 16-year population-based follow-up cohort within the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study, comprising 6,030 individuals aged 40 to 69 years at baseline.

The optimal energy level of virtual monochromatic imaging in dual-energy CT arthrography of the wrist.

Objectives: To suggest an optimal energy level of virtual monochromatic images (VMIs) in dual-energy CT (DECT) arthrography of the wrist.

Methods: This retrospective study included 53 patients with wrist CT arthrography. Conventional polychromatic images and VMIs at 4 energy levels (40-70 keV at 10 keV intervals) were obtained.

Could cough hypersensitivity symptom profile differentiate phenotypes of chronic cough?

Background: Recently, cough reflex hypersensitivity has been proposed as a common underlying feature of chronic cough in adults. However, symptoms and clinical characteristics of cough hypersensitivity have not been studied amongst phenotypes of chronic cough. This study aimed to compare symptom features, such as cough triggers and associated throat sensations, of cough hypersensitivity in patients with asthmatic chronic cough and those with refractory chronic cough (RCC).

Neural network-based automated proptosis measurement using computed tomography images for patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility and reliability of a neural network (NN)-based automated proptosis measurement system using computed tomography (CT) images. An automated proptosis measurement system was developed using the CT images of 200 eyes from 100 patients diagnosed with thyroid-associated orbitopathy. We compared the proptosis value obtained from the proposed automated system with the values obtained from the Hertel exophthalmometer and manual measurements of CT slices.

Risk factors of hypotension during cesarean section with spinal anesthesia in parturients with COVID-19: a retrospective study in comparison with pregnant women without COVID-19.

Background: The incidence of hypotension in parturients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) undergoing regional anesthesia remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of hypotension during spinal anesthesia in parturients infected with COVID-19, as well as to identify associated risk factors.

Methods: This retrospective study compared COVID-19-positive parturients who underwent cesarean section under spinal anesthesia (COVID-19 group) with a control group between January 2017 and June 2022.

Performance Evaluation of the LabGenius C-CT/NG-BMX Assay for and Detection.

The LabGenius C-CT/NG-BMX assay (LabGenius CT/NG; BIOMEDUX, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea) is a recently developed real-time PCR assay that can simultaneously detect the sexually transmitted pathogens (CT) and (NG) in genitourinary specimens. We evaluated the analytical performance of this assay in comparison with BD MAX CT/GC/TV (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA). The results of both assays were in nearly perfect agreement for the detection of CT and NG.

Longitudinal changes in sleep and sleep-related symptoms among Korean adults between 2010 to 2022, including the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Background And Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted people's lifestyles, changing sleep patterns. This study investigated changes in sleep patterns and disturbances in South Koreans over the past decade, including during the pandemic.

Methods: We compared data from the Korean Sleep Headache Society Phase I survey (n = 2484; conducted in 2010) and the National Sleep Survey of South Korea 2022 (n = 3729; conducted in 2022), involving participants aged 20-69 years.

Anxiety and Depression Are Associated with Poor Long-term Quality of Life in Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis: Results of a 3-Year Longitudinal Study of the MOSAIK Cohort.

Background/aims: We previously reported that patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) often experience common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression, necessitating immediate psychological interventions within the first 4 weeks of diagnosis. In this 3-year follow-up study of the MOSAIK cohort in Korea, we examined the effects of CMDs at initial diagnosis on clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: We examined differences in clinical outcomes (evaluated based on clinical response, relapse, hospitalization, and medication use) and HRQoL (assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [IBDQ] and Short Form 12 [SF-12]) according to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores at diagnosis.

Distinct Impacts of Clinicopathological and Mutational Profiles on Long-Term Survival and Recurrence in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Backgruound: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) has a poorer prognosis than differentiated thyroid cancers; however, comprehensive data on the long-term outcomes of MTC remain scarce. This study investigated the extended clinical outcomes of MTC and aimed to identify prognostic factors.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with MTC between 1980 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed.