Randomized Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Fexuprazan According to the Timing of Dosing in Patients With Erosive Esophagitis.

Background/aims: Fexuprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, was developed for treating acid-related disorders. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of fexuprazan, unlike those of proton pump inhibitors, are independent of food effect. This study aims to evaluate differences in efficacy and safety of fexuprazan in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) according to the timing of dosing.

Advancements in Imaging Techniques for Early Diagnosis and Management of Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Purpose Of Review: We aimed to introduce recent finding of imaging studies used in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Recent Findings: Using low-dose whole spine CT (CT syndesmophyte score [CTSS]) improved diagnostic accuracy for evaluating spinal structural progression than previous method (modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score [mSASSS]) in axSpA. The novel definition of positive finding of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) and spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enabled to diagnose axSpA earlier than plain radiography.

The role of placenta Hofbauer cells during pregnancy and pregnancy complications.

Placental Hofbauer cells (HBCs) are specialized macrophages present in the human placenta that play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy. These cells are derived from the fetal mesoderm and are responsible for various functions, including immune regulation, angiogenesis, and nutrient transport. In normal pregnancies, HBCs primarily exhibit an M2 or immunomodulatory phenotype, which helps maintain a tolerant and anti-inflammatory environment at the maternal-fetal interface.

The CT collateral map: collateral perfusion estimation and baseline lesion assessment after acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical feasibility of a CT collateral map compared with an MRA collateral map, focusing on collateral perfusion (CP) estimation and baseline lesion assessment in acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective analysis used selected data from a prospectively collected database. We generated CT collateral maps derived from CT perfusion, encompassing images of arterial, capillary, early venous (CMEV), late venous, and delay phases.

Sex Differences in the Relationship between Arterial Stiffness and Incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Aims: There is a lack of evidence regarding the sex-specific impact of arterial stiffness on the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study assessed the relationship between arterial stiffness based on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and incident CKD in men and women.

Methods: Individuals who participated in health checkups and underwent concomitant baPWV measurement between 2006 and 2019 were included.

Effect of Different Types of Antithrombotic Agents on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Small Bowel Bleeding Who Underwent Balloon-Assisted Enteroscopy: A KASID Multicenter Study.

Background And Aim: The impact of different anti-thrombotic agents on patients with suspected small bowel bleeding (SSBB) who underwent balloon-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) is unclear. We aimed to examine the clinical effects and predictive factors of DAE based on the thromboembolic agents used.

Methods: We enrolled 399 patients with SSBB from a web-based DAE registry across 30 medical centers in South Korea.

Survey on Alopecia Areata Patients' Reported Factors that Determine Severity of Alopecia Areata: A Nationwide Multicenter Study.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is characterized by hair loss on the scalp and body, significantly impacting patients' quality of life based on its severity.

Objective: This study aims to identify crucial factors influencing the perception of severe AA from the patients' viewpoint.

Methods: A web-based survey was conducted among AA patients attending dermatology departments at 21 university hospitals in Korea.

Vortioxetine in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder Among Working Patients in Routine Clinical Practice: An Analysis of a Post-Marketing Surveillance Study in South Korea.

Background: Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) experience depressive symptoms such as anhedonia as well as cognitive dysfunction which can subsequently impair their work performance.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness and safety of vortioxetine in working patients with MDD in South Korea.

Patients And Methods: This was a subgroup analysis of a prospective, multicenter, non-interventional, non-comparative post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study.

Fumarate hydratase-deficient renal cell carcinoma: a single institution-based study of 29 patients by clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and genetic approaches.

Fumarate hydratase (FH)-deficient renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a renal neoplasm associated with FH loss, aggressive behaviour, and poor survival. We present a histopathological and immunohistochemical overview of FH-deficient RCC to infer significant features for its differential diagnosis. In this study, FH-deficient RCC tissue samples from patients who underwent surgical resection or biopsy at a single institution between July 1995 and August 2022 were reviewed by conventional haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and whole genome analyses.

Clinical Comparison of OC-Sensor Pledia and Phadia 250 for Fecal Calprotectin Testing.

The fecal calprotectin (f-Cal) test is a convenient method used for differentiating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from functional bowel disorders. The OC-Sensor Pledia (OC-FCa; Eiken Chemical Co., Tokyo, Japan) is a latex agglutination turbidimetric immunoassay used for f-Cal measurements.

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.

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.

Relationship Between Breast Density and Ptosis Degree in Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Direct-to-implant breast reconstruction is a popular procedure since breast volume can be acquired immediately. Various evaluations have been utilized to achieve symmetry. We measured the weight and volume of mastectomy specimens and calculated the relationship between breast density and ptosis degree.

Natural course of the acute unruptured intracranial vertebral artery dissections which show pearl-and-string sign.

Introduction: Ruptured vertebral artery dissections frequently exhibit pearl-and-string signs, a characteristic also observed in many unruptured dissections. This study examines the natural course of 50 unruptured acute vertebral artery dissections presenting with pearl-and-string signs and compares them to 10 ruptured dissections of the same morphological pattern.

Methods: We reviewed 633 radiology reports of head and neck imaging studies that included the keyword 'dissection'.

Objective analysis of orbital rim fracture CT images using curve and area measurement.

The orbital bone presents a closed curve, and fracture results in disfigurement. An image analysis procedure was developed to examine before and after corrective surgery. An ellipse and circumscribed contour embodied the closed curve.

Middle ear cholesteatoma and facial nerve hypertrophy mimicking schwannoma in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: A case report.

Rationale: Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, presents with progressive chronic sensory and distal motor polyneuropathy. While sensorineural hearing loss and vestibular impairment have been documented in CMT patients, concurrent middle ear cholesteatoma and persistent direction-changing positional nystagmus have not.

Patient Concerns: This study details a 22-year-old man with CMT1 exhibiting these symptoms.

Changes in weight distribution and trends in obesity among children and adolescents in East Asia: Insights from NCD-RisC data.

Pediatric obesity is a serious global health challenge. In East Asia, rapid socioeconomic changes have increased obesity rates. This study examines weight distribution and obesity trends in East Asian children using WHO criteria.

Neuropeptide FF Promotes Neuronal Survival and Enhances Synaptic Protein Expression Following Ischemic Injury.

This study explores the neuroprotective effects of neuropeptide FF (NPFF, FLFQPQRFamide) in the context of ischemic injury. Based on transcriptomic analysis in stroke models treated with 5-Aza-dC and task-specific training, we identified significant gene expression changes, particularly involving NPFF. To further explore NPFF's role in promoting neuronal recovery, recombinant NPFF protein (rNPFF) was used in primary mixed cortical cultures subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation.

Wrist extension strength changes after extensor carpi radialis brevis release in the lateral epicondylitis.

Purpose: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is often attributed to degenerative changes and microscopic ruptures in the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). Surgical procedures, such as arthroscopic or open ECRB release, are commonly used to address this condition. However, there is limited research on changes in wrist muscle strength and their clinical impact after ECRB release.

Performance of consumer wrist-worn type sleep tracking devices compared to polysomnography: a meta-analysis.

Study Objectives: The use of sleep tracking devices is increasing as people become more aware of the importance of sleep and interested in monitoring their patterns. With many devices on the market, we conducted a meta-analysis comparing sleep-scoring data from consumer wrist-worn sleep tracking devices with polysomnography to validate the accuracy of devices.

Methods: We retrieved studies from the databases of SCOPUS, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, and KoreaMed, and OVID Medline up to March 2024.