The Preventive Effect of Ulinastatin on Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Rats with Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction After General Anaesthesia with Isoflurane.

This study evaluated the effect of ulinastatin on blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction in rats with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) following general anaesthesia with isoflurane. Specifically, we examined BBB permeability and the expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). Rats in the ulinastatin group received the drug intraperitoneally (50,000 U/mL), while controls received normal saline (1 mL) administered before general anaesthesia.

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 acidrelated 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.

Breast Cancer Statistics in Korea, 2021.

The Korean Breast Cancer Society (KBCS) has collected nationwide registry data on clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment since 1996. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of breast cancer in Korea and assess changes in breast cancer statistics for 2021 using data from the KBCS registry and the Korean Central Cancer Registry. In 2021, 34,628 women were newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

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.

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'.

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.

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.