Emodin Inhibited MUC5AC Mucin Gene Expression via Affecting EGFR-MAPK-Sp1 Signaling Pathway in Human Airway Epithelial Cells.

The aim of this study was to evaluate emodin, a natural trihydroxyanthraquinone compound found in the roots and barks of several plants including rhubarb and buckthorn, might attenuate epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced airway MUC5AC mucin gene expression. The human pulmonary mucoepidermoid NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with for 30 min and then stimulated with EGF for the following 24 h. The effect of emodin on EGF-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was examined.

Phase 2 trial of avelumab in combination with gemcitabine in advanced leiomyosarcoma as a second-line treatment (EAGLES, Korean Cancer Study Group UN18-09).

Background: In this single-arm, multicenter, phase 2 trial, the authors evaluated the efficacy and safety of avelumab plus gemcitabine in patients with leiomyosarcoma (LMS) who failed on first-line chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients with advanced LMS received avelumab 10 mg/kg on days 1 and 15 (for up to 24 months) plus gemcitabine 1000 mg/m on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle until they developed disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary end point was the objective response rate (ORR).

Potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in postmenopausal women with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is recommended for alleviating vasomotor symptoms or preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women. This study aimed to investigate the impact of hormone replacement therapy on major adverse cardiovascular events, kidney failure, and mortality in women with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: This population-based cohort study analyzed data from the National Cancer Screening Program and the national health examination of South Korea.

The effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on cutaneous radiation injury in a mouse model.

Background: Although radiation-induced skin injuries are a concern in patients receiving radiation therapy, there are few effective treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on irradiated fibroblasts and mouse skin.

Methods: In the in vitro study of human dermal fibroblasts, the experimental group was subjected to ESWT following irradiation (20 Gy).

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Tracheostomy in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery of South Korea: Retrospective Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety in Critically Ill Patients.

Background: In intensive care settings, the maintenance of ventilation is typically essential. Tracheostomy is frequently performed to facilitate long-term ventilation and to minimize associated complications. This procedure can be conducted using several techniques, including traditional surgery, endoscopic approaches, and ultrasound-guided methods.

Effect of Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus Genotype on Disease Severity, Viral Load, and Cytokines in South Korea.

Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by (SFTS virus [SFTSV]). Recently, at least 6 different genotypes of SFTSV have been identified, with genotypes A, D, and F dominant in China and B dominant in Japan and Korea. This study investigated the effect of SFTSV genotypes circulating in South Korea on disease severity, viral load, and cytokine profile.

Nationwide precision oncology pilot study: KOrean Precision Medicine Networking Group Study of MOlecular profiling-guided therapy based on genomic alterations in advanced solid tumors (KOSMOS) KCSG AL-20-05.

Background: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become widely available but molecular profiling-guided therapy (MGT) had not been well established in the real world due to lack of available therapies and expertise to match treatment. Our study was designed to test the feasibility of a nationwide platform of NGS-guided MGT recommended by a central molecular tumor board (cMTB) for metastatic solid tumors.

Patients And Methods: Patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors with available NGS results and without standard treatment were enrolled.

Redefining YAP1 in small cell lung cancer: shifting from a dominant subtype marker to a favorable prognostic indicator.

Background: Molecular and transcription factor subtyping were recently introduced to identify patients with unique clinical features in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, its prognostic relevance is yet to be established. This study aims to investigate the clinical implications and prognostic significance of transcription factor subtyping in SCLC using immunohistochemistry.

Prolonged loss of intercostal muscle mass and its predictors in COVID-19 patients: A retrospective study from tertiary hospital.

Sarcopenia is a contributing factor in the development of long-COVID syndrome. We aimed to investigate how intercostal muscle mass changes over 3 months compared to other chest wall muscles following COVID-19 infection, along with identifying factors contributing to intercostal muscle loss during follow-up. We retrospectively studied 110 COVID-19 patients, analyzing muscle masses in the intercostal, pectoralis, and thoracic 12th vertebra level (T12) on initial and follow-up CT scans.

Modeling the Determinants of Subjective Well-Being in Schizophrenia.

Background: The ultimate goal of successful schizophrenia treatment is not just to alleviate psychotic symptoms, but also to reduce distress and achieve subjective well-being (SWB). We aimed to identify the determinants of SWB and their interrelationships in schizophrenia.

Methods: Data were obtained from 637 patients with schizophrenia enrolled in multicenter, open-label, non-comparative clinical trials.

Effect of abatacept versus conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Background/aims: To compare the effects of abatacept and conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) on the progression and development of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD).

Methods: This multi-center retrospective study included RA patients receiving abatacept or csDMARDs who underwent at least two pulmonary function tests and/or chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). We compared the following outcomes between the groups: progression of RA-ILD, development of new ILD in RA patients without ILD at baseline, 28-joint Disease Activity Score with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), and safety.

Enhancing medical students' documentation skills: the impact of an assessment and feedback program.

Purpose: We not only developed a clinical practice program for the assessment and feedback vis-à-vis medical students' medical records but also evaluated the effectiveness of this program via a self-assessment of medical students' competence in writing medical records pre- and post-program.

Methods: In 2022, 74 third-year medical students were divided into four groups and participated in a 2-week program. The students' medical records were graded on a scale ranging from 1 to 3 daily, and the mean scores for 2 weeks were compared.

Assessing and Charting the Future Path : Addressing the Decline of Brain Tumor Specialists in Korea - Insights from the Korean Brain Tumor Society (KBTS) Future Strategy Committee of 2023.

Objective: Although Republic of Korea is an advanced country in medical technology with a successful treatment rate for serious diseases, such as cancer, and has improved technology for highly difficult surgery, many excellent medical doctors and physicians are struggling due to the recent unreasonable medical environment. Specialization in brain tumor surgery also faces challenges in Republic of Korea, including low financial incentives, legal threats, and limited career prospects. In response, the Korean Brain Tumor Society (KBTS) formed the Future Strategy Committee to assess these obstacles and propose solutions.

Optimal timing of revascularization for patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Optimal timing of revascularization for patients who presented with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is unclear. A total of 386 NSTEMI patients with severe LV dysfunction from the nationwide, multicenter, and prospective Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry V (KAMIR-V) were enrolled. Severe LV dysfunction was defined as LV ejection fraction ≤ 35%.

Hypoxia-Regulated Proteins: Expression in Endometrial Cancer and Their Association with Clinicopathologic Features.

Background: Hypoxia-regulated proteins (HIF-1α and GLUT-1) have been identified as prognostic markers in various cancers; however, their role in endometrial cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate HIF-1α and GLUT-1 expression in endometrial cancer and correlate their expression with clinicopathological features.

Materials And Methods: A tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed using specimens from a retrospective cohort of 51 endometrial cancer patients who underwent hysterectomy at the Gyeongsang National University Hospital between 2002 and 2009.

Clinical Impact of Self-Recognition of Recurrent Acute Myocardial Infarction: From KRMI-RCC.

: Self-recognition of recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI) may be essential for reducing prehospital time contrast to awareness of re-MI symptoms. However, data on the current status and clinical impact of self-recognition of re-MI are limited in the contemporary period. Thus, this study aimed to increase this body of knowledge.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in a patient with polycystic kidney disease without underlying risk factors: a case report.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is an extremely rare, chronic granulomatous inflammatory condition thought to arise secondary to a combination of obstruction, recurrent bacterial infection and an incomplete immune response although the etiology of XGP is more complex. We would like to report a case of XGP occurring in a patient with polycystic kidney disease (PCKD), which has not been previously documented in etiology. A 29-year-old woman presented to our hospital with right upper quadrant pain for 5 days.