Role of dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane in enhancing functional outcomes after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (dHACM) has shown potential in enhancing neurovascular recovery and functional outcomes in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Aim: To evaluate the effects of dHACM on continence recovery, sexual function, and oncological outcomes in patients undergoing RARP.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines, analyzing data from PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE.

Longitudinal Comparison of Three T-Cell Assays and Three Antibody Assays Against SARS-CoV-2 Following Homologous mRNA-1273/mRNA-1273/mRNA-1273 and Heterologous ChAdOx1/ChAdOx1/BNT162b2 Vaccination: A Prospective Cohort in Naïve Healthcare Workers.

: Cellular and humoral immunity are key to the immune response against SARS-CoV-2, but the comparability and correlation across different assays remain underexplored. This study compares three T-cell and three antibody assays in two vaccine groups. : This prospective longitudinal cohort study involved 46 naïve healthcare workers: a total of 11 in the homologous mRNA-1273 group (three doses) and 35 in the heterologous ChAd group (two ChAd doses followed by a BNT booster).

Low-Intensity Continuous Ultrasound Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Curcumin-Encapsulated Exosomes Derived from Hypoxic Liver Cancer Cells via Homotropic Drug Delivery Systems.

Exosomes are extracellular nanovesicles secreted by cells that efficiently deliver therapeutic cargo for cancer treatment. However, because exosomes are present in low quantities and have limited target specificity, internal and external stress stimulation has been studied to increase exosome efficiency. Inspired by these studies, the uptake efficiency of cobalt chloride-induced hypoxic cancer cell-secreted exosomes was evaluated.

COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for 2024-2025 in Korea.

The Korean Society of Infectious Diseases has been regularly publishing guidelines for adult immunization since 2007. Following the release of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination recommendations in 2023, significant changes have occurred due to the emergence of new variant strains and the waning immunity from previous vaccinations. This article provides a comprehensive update as of November 2024, incorporating the latest evidence and guidelines.

Role of P × receptor during focused ultrasound induced blood brain barrier modulation.

Although low-intensity focused ultrasound (LiFUS) with microbubbles is used to temporally open the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. This study aimed to analyze BBB-related alterations in the brain microenvironment after LiFUS, with a focus on the involvement of the purinergic P ×  receptor. Sprague-Dawley rats were sonicated with LiFUS at 0.

Effects of bladder neck sparing on continence outcomes of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: a systemic review and metaanalysis.

Restoration of postoperative urinary continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is affected by diverse factors. We compared the pad-free and positive margin rates of patients who underwent RARP with or without bladder neck sparing (BNS) for prostate cancer. During this systematic review and metaanalysis, we performed an electronic search of the Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PubMed to find original articles comparing RARP with and without BNS for prostate cancer.

Anthropometric Changes in Female Participants Enrolled in a Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training Program for Longer than 1 Year: A Cohort Study.

Background: To analyze the anthropometric changes in women who had participated in a combined resistance and aerobic training program for more than a year and to determine the effect of the exercise on weight loss.

Methods: A total of 9,128 women aged between 20 and 60 years who registered in the Curves program, which employs a combination of resistance and aerobic training exercises, and who participated for more than 1 year were included in our analysis. The women were divided into groups according to exercise frequency: <1, 1, 2, and ≥3 days/week.

Dorsoradial ligament reconstruction versus imbrication for restoring trapeziometacarpal joint stability: a comparative biomechanical study.

The unique saddle articulation of the trapeziometacarpal joint allows for a wide range of motion necessary for routine function of the thumb. Inherently unstable characteristics of the joint can lead painful instability. In this study, we modified a surgical dorsal ligament reconstruction technique for restoring trapeziometacarpal joint stability.

Diagnostic efficacy of body roll test for lateral canal BPPV: A randomized controlled study.

Background: Lateral semicircular canal BPPV (LC-BPPV) is diagnosed by the head roll test (HRT), in which the head is rotated to move particles in the lateral canal, causing nystagmus. The body roll test (BRT) is performed in a rolling position with the body and head together, which has the advantage of safely rotating the head at the correct angle in both directions. This study aims to assess the diagnostic utility of the body roll test (BRT).

Validity and reliability of the integrated palliative care outcome scale (IPOS) in Korea: a multicenter study of terminally ill cancer patients.

Background: The Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) is a key tool for assessing the quality of palliative care using patient-reported outcomes. This study aimed to culturally adapt and translate the IPOS to Korean and verify its psychometric properties for use in palliative care settings.

Methods: The IPOS was translated and culturally adapted, followed by validation in 119 terminally ill cancer patients and 28 healthcare providers across six Hospice and Palliative Care Units from September 2023 to January 2024.

Integration of bulk and single-cell RNA-seq reveals prognostic gene signatures in patients with bladder cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have significantly advanced research in oncology and are used to successfully treat patients with bladder cancer (BC). However, as the benefits of programmed death-1/ programmed death-ligand-1 blockade immunotherapy do not extend to all patients with BC, biomarkers are required to improve prognostic stratification. This study aims to identify reliable biomarkers to enhance the prediction of treatment outcomes.

Uncertainty Quantification in Automated Detection of Vertebral Metastasis Using Ensemble Monte Carlo Dropout.

The accurate and early detection of vertebral metastases is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Although deep-learning models have shown potential in this area, their lack of prediction reliability and robustness limits their clinical utility. To address these challenges, we propose a novel technique called Ensemble Monte Carlo Dropout (EMCD) for uncertainty quantification (UQ), which combines the Monte Carlo dropout and deep ensembles.

Advance Care Planning in Palliative Care in Asia: Barriers and Implications.

Advance care planning (ACP) in palliative care is essential for patient autonomy and quality of dying. This review explores ACP practices in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, highlighting how legislation and cultural values shape those practices. In these three sectors, which are influenced by Confucian values, family involvement plays a significant role in decision-making.

Paraoxonase-1 Is a Pivotal Regulator Responsible for Suppressing Allergic Airway Inflammation Through Adipose Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles.

Although adipose stem cell (ASC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are as effective as ASCs in the suppression of Th2 cell-mediated eosinophilic inflammation, the role of identified pulmonary genes has not been well documented. Thus, we assessed the immunomodulatory effects of paraoxonase-1 (PON1) on allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma. Five-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal injection and challenged intranasally with OVA.

Interobserver agreement analysis among renal pathologists in classification of lupus nephritis using a digital pathology image dataset: after a third evaluation.

Background: Lupus nephritis is well-known for low concordance in classification. Furthermore, there has been no agreement analysis among Korean renal pathologists regarding lupus nephritis. Inconsistent diagnosis leads to confusion and increases medical costs, as well as failure of appropriate therapeutic interventions.

Effect of Preoperative Acupuncture and Epidural Steroid Injection on Early Postoperative Infection After Lumbar Spinal Fusion.

Background: Acupuncture and epidural steroid injection (ESI) are frequently performed in patients with degenerative lumbar disease. The purpose of this study was to explore preoperative acupuncture and ESI as risk factors for postoperative infection after elective lumbar fusion.

Methods: Patients >50 years of age who underwent spinal fusion due to degenerative lumbar disease from 2010 to 2019 were identified by diagnostic and procedural codes using a nationwide database.

Feasibility and Safety of ArtiSential for Minimally Invasive Surgery in Early-stage Gynecologic Cancer: Results from the KGOG 4002/GYANT Study.

Objectives: The objective is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of ArtiSential for performing minimally invasive surgeries for gynecological cancers.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study at 10 Tertiary Institutional Hospitals in Korea between November 2021 and April 2022. Eligible patients were 18 years or older and planned to undergo minimally invasive surgery for gynecologic cancer.

Development of a forest healing program for individuals with musculoskeletal disease risk and verification of its preventive effects.

Preventive treatment is crucial in averting the onset of musculoskeletal diseases, particularly among individuals in high-stress occupations. This study aimed to develop a forest healing program and a standardized survey index to gauge its efficacy in mitigating stress and preventing musculoskeletal disorders. Service-oriented workers who engage in repetitive tasks but are not traditional office workers at risk of musculoskeletal issues were recruited.

Comparison of Population Attributable Fractions of Cancer Incidence and Mortality Linked to Excess Body Weight in Korea from 2015 to 2030.

Backgruound: The increasing rate of excess body weight (EBW) in the global population has led to growing health concerns, including cancer-related EBW. We aimed to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancer incidence and deaths linked to EBW in Korean individuals from 2015 to 2030 and to compare its value with various body mass index cutoffs.

Methods: Levin's formula was used to calculate the PAF; the prevalence rates were computed using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, while the relative risks of specific cancers related to EBW were estimated based on the results of Korean cohort studies.

Development of Korean CARcinogen EXposure: occupation-based exposure matrix.

Objectives: Information systems focusing on occupational carcinogen exposure, whether categorized by industry or occupation, play a pivotal role in the prevention of occupational cancers. Recently, the Korean CARcinogen EXposure (K-CAREX) system was developed to assess carcinogen exposure by industry. However, corresponding information categorized by occupation has yet to be developed.

Association of diabetes risk with changes in memory, working memory, and processing speed among older adults.

Background: This study investigated the risk of diabetes by examining changes in memory, working memory, and processing speed among older adults to provide evidence on how each cognitive domain is associated with the risk of diabetes in older adults.

Methods: This study used Health and Retirement Study data and tracked the respondents from 2012 to 2020 ( = 5,748). The Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-27 includes three cognitive tests (recall, seven subtraction, and counting backward tests) to assess each cognitive domain.