Autophagy activation in response to cigarette smoke: Exploring the disparity in laryngeal cancer incidence and outcomes between sexes in South Korea.

Introduction: Laryngeal cancer (LC) presents a significant health challenge globally, with smoking being a major risk factor. Interestingly, LC incidence in females is significantly lower than in males; however, female smokers are more likely to develop Reinke edema (RE) than LC. This study sought to investigate whether autophagy, a major mechanism for RE development, acts as a defense mechanism in laryngeal tissue against cigarette exposure and suppresses LC development in females who smoke.

Regulation of Tumor Growth and Invasion in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by the Tumor Microenvironment Through the Enhancement of IGFBP-3 Expression.

Background/aim: Accumulated evidence indicates that interactions among various stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly influence cancer progression. Oral cancers not diagnosed at early stages are associated with low five-year survival rates, highlighting the need for substantial improvements in patient outcomes. Understanding the interactions between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment is crucial for identifying methods and developing treatment strategies that more effectively inhibit tumor progression and metastasis.

Exploring Traits Associated With Central Sensitization Features in Patients With Chronic Cough.

The concept of cough hypersensitivity suggests that central sensitization plays a role in the pathophysiology of chronic cough. However, it remains unclear which traits are associated with central sensitization features in patients with chronic cough. A cohort of 317 Korean patients with newly referred chronic cough underwent clinical evaluations.

Clinical Characteristics of T2-Low and T2-High Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap: Findings From COREA Cohort.

Purpose: Despite the emerging biologics, biomarkers and treatment options for asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) are still limited, requiring further research.

Methods: We enrolled 378 ACO patients from a multicenter real-world asthma cohort in Korea and compared the clinical characteristics, lung function, and exacerbation between type 2 (T2)-high and T2-low groups. We used the following comparisons: 1) low vs.

Effect of Oral Function Training on Swallowing Function in Community-Dwelling Older Individuals.

Background: Dry mouth, masticatory discomfort, and swallowing in older individuals are important factors affecting overall health. To improve their quality of life, efforts are required to improve their oral function. Therefore, this study implemented a training program evaluating oral function to confirm improvements in swallowing.

Computed Tomography Versus Simple Radiography for Detecting and Classifying Heterotopic Ossification after Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty.

Backgroud: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is difficult to characterize and classify on simple radiographs. Therefore, we attempted to evaluate intraobserver and interobserver reliability of simple radiography and computed tomography (CT) for detecting and classifying HO after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). It was hypothesized that CT would provide more reliable results than simple radiography.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Long-Term Management of Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Hemophilia Patient: Overcoming Bleeding Challenges.

A 55-year-old male with hemophilia A came to the outpatient clinic with chest pain for several days after overdose injection of coagulation factor. He was a heavy smoker and a chronic alcoholic. An electrocardiogram (ECG) showed no specific change.

Nationwide human biomonitoring strategy in Korea: Prioritization of novel contaminants using GC/TOF-MS with suspect and non-target screening.

According to global regulations on hazardous chemicals, numerous alternatives have been manufactured and used in various consumer products. Suspect and non-target analyses are advanced analytical techniques used for identifying novel contaminants. In the present study, suspect and non-target analytical approaches using a gas chromatography coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer were applied to identify novel contaminants in 40 pooled serum samples from a sub-population (n = 400) of the 2015-2017 national biomonitoring program.

Comparison of urinary exposure profiles to phthalates and bisphenol analogues in kindergartens in Korea: Impact of environmental choices on children's health.

Phthalates and bisphenols (BPs) are well-known endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that are widely used in diverse consumer and personal care products. Despite their vulnerability, children are frequently exposed to phthalates and BPs in their surrounding environments. Although pre-school children spend most of their time in kindergarten, no comprehensive assessment of children' exposure to EDCs has been conducted according to the type of kindergarten.

Effects of closed- versus open-system intensive care units on mortality rates in patients with cancer requiring emergent surgical intervention for acute abdominal complications: a single-center retrospective study in Korea.

Background: In this study, we aimed to compare the in-hospital mortality of patients with cancer who experienced acute abdominal complications that required emergent surgery in open (treatment decisions made by the primary attending physician of the patient's admission department) versus closed (treatment decisions made by intensive care unit [ICU] intensivists) ICUs.

Methods: This retrospective, single-center study enrolled patients with cancer admitted to the ICU before or after emergency surgery between November 2020 and September 2023. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the associations between patient characteristics in the open and closed ICUs and in-hospital mortality.

Factors Associated with Metabolically Unhealthy Obesity and Its Relation to Food Insecurity in Korean Adults with Obesity.

Objectives: The association between food insecurity and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) in the population with obesity is unclear. We evaluated factors associated with MUO and the relationship between food insecurity and MUO in individuals with obesity.

Methods: We analyzed data from 5191 adults with obesity (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m) from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019-2021.

Relationship Between the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Health in Middle-Aged Korean Men and Women: A Nationwide Study.

Cardiovascular health (CVH) can be conceptualized as encompassing seven health behaviors and metabolic factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease. We explored the relationship between the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and CVH among middle-aged Korean adults. Data from 5909 participants, aged between 40 and 64 years, in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019-2021) were analyzed.

Three-Dimensional Printed Customized Scaffolds Covered with Decellularized Bone Extracellular Matrix for Open-Wedge High-Tibial Osteotomy.

Void fillers are required for osseous gaps generated after orthopedic procedures as medial open-wedge high-tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) to provide sufficient structural support and a rapid osteosynthesis. We developed a novel three-dimensional (3D) printing-based platform technology using the customized 3D scaffolds covered with polycaprolactone (PCL)/β-tri-calcium phosphates (β-TCP)/bone decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) for use as bone substitute scaffold, which can be effectively exploited to estimate the calculated correction angle with preoperative simulations. PCL/β-TCP/bone dECM scaffolds demonstrated significantly higher cell contain levels in cell seeding efficiency, excellent proliferation capacity, and promotion of early osteogenic differentiation compared with PCL/β-TCP scaffolds.

Intensive Blood Pressure Lowering in Acute Stroke with Intracranial Stenosis Post-Thrombectomy: a secondary analysis of the OPTIMAL-BP trial.

Background: Intensive blood pressure (BP) management within 24 hours after successful reperfusion following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is associated with worse functional outcomes than conventional BP management in Asian randomized controlled trials. Given the high prevalence of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) in Asia, ICAS may influence these outcomes.

Aims: We aimed to assess whether ICAS affects the outcomes of intensive BP management after successful EVT.

Heavy metal exposure and its effects on APOC3, CFAI, and ZA2G.

Despite increasing heavy metal pollution, traditional epidemiology often fails to link exposure to health outcomes. This study used multi-omics to investigate associations between heavy metal exposure and health. Blood and urine samples from 294 participants in heavy metal-exposed and control areas were analyzed, revealing key biomarkers.

ROsulord® sAfety for Patients with Dyslipidemia Study: A Non-interventional, Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study in South Korea.

Introduction: The ROsulord® sAfety for patients with Dyslipidemia study (ROAD study) in the Republic of Korea investigated the safety and efficacy of rosuvastatin in routine clinical practice.

Methods: This non-interventional, multicenter, prospective, observational study was conducted over a period of approximately 4.6 years and involved 14,243 participants.

Mobile App for Improving the Mental Health of Youth in Out-of-Home Care: Development Study Using an Intervention Mapping Approach.

Background: Youth in out-of-home care encounter substantial mental health challenges because of the absence of stable family and social support systems. Their vulnerability is heightened by trauma, neglect, and abuse. They struggle, especially when transitioning to independent living, coping with loneliness, anxiety, and pressure.

Surgical outcomes and complication rates of arthroscopic-assisted fixation versus open fixation for coronoid fractures: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Coronoid fractures often occur with complex elbow dislocations, accounting for 15% of elbow fractures. The effectiveness of open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) versus arthroscopic-assisted reduction internal fixation (ARIF) surgeries for coronoid fractures remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of these two surgical approaches in treating varus posteromedial injuries.

Endovascular Treatment With Targeted Embolization of Cavernous Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Single-Center Study.

Objective: To assess the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of targeted embolization for cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (CSDAVF).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study investigated patients with CSDAVF who underwent endovascular treatment at a tertiary hospital between October 1991 and March 2023. Treatment strategies were determined based on clinical symptoms and shunt characteristics.

Clinical implication of electrocardiogram change in patients experiencing lung transplantation with end stage lung disease.

Introduction: End-stage lung disease causes cardiac remodeling and induces electrocardiogram (ECG) changes. On the other way, whether lung transplantation (LTx) in end-stage lung disease patients are associated with ECG change is unknown. The object of this study was to investigate ECG changes before and after LTx in end-stage lung disease patients and whether these changes had clinical significance.

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).