Gaps and Similarities in Research Use LOINC Codes Utilized in Korean University Hospitals: Towards Semantic Interoperability for Patient Care.

Background: The accuracy of Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) mappings is reportedly low, and the LOINC codes used for research purposes in Korea have not been validated for accuracy or usability. Our study aimed to evaluate the discrepancies and similarities in interoperability using existing LOINC mappings in actual patient care settings.

Methods: We collected data on local test codes and their corresponding LOINC mappings from seven university hospitals.

External quality assessment-based tumor marker harmonization simulation; insights in achievable harmonization for CA 15-3 and CEA.

Objectives: CA 15-3 and CEA are tumor markers used in routine clinical care for breast cancer and colorectal cancer, among others. Current measurement procedures (MP) for these tumor markers are considered to be insufficiently harmonized. This study investigated the achievable harmonization for CA 15-3 and CEA by using an simulation of external quality assessment (EQA) data from multiple EQA programs using patient-pool based samples.

Effect of dynamic binaural beats on sleep quality: a proof-of-concept study with questionnaire and biosignals.

Binaural beat (BB) has been investigated as a potential modality to enhance sleep quality. In this study, we introduce a new form of BB, referred to as dynamic BB (DBB), which incorporates dynamically changing carrier frequency differences between the left and right ears. Specifically, the carrier frequency of the right ear varied between 100 and 103 Hz over a period, while the left ear remained fixed at 100 Hz, yielding a frequency difference range of 0 to 3 Hz.

Investigating the Current Harmonization Status of Tumor Markers Using Global External Quality Assessment Programs: A Feasibility Study.

Background: The harmonization status of most tumor markers (TMs) is unknown. We report a feasibility study performed to determine whether external quality assessment (EQA) programs can be used to obtain insights into the current harmonization status of the tumor markers α-fetoprotein (AFP), prostate specific antigen (PSA), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen (CA)125, CA15-3 and CA19-9.

Methods: EQA sample results provided by 6 EQA providers (INSTAND [Germany], Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service [KEQAS, South Korea], National Center for Clinical Laboratories [NCCL, China], United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service [UK NEQAS, United Kingdom], Stichting Kwaliteitsbewaking Medische Laboratoriumdiagnostiek [SKML, the Netherlands], and the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs [RCPAQAP, Australia]) between 2020 and 2021 were used.

Clinical Implication of PD-L1 Expression in Patients with Endometrial Cancer.

This study investigated PD-L1 expression in endometrial cancer, its links with prognostic factors, and survival outcomes in 232 patients. Of these, 73 (31.5%) had PD-L1-positive tumors and 159 (68.

The association between social jetlag and depression is independent of sleep debt.

Objectives: To investigate whether the association between SJLsc (sleep-corrected social jetlag) and depressive mood is significant and independent of sleep debt.

Methods: Participants from the general adult population were interviewed using structured questionnaires on sleep duration, weekday/weekend sleep schedules, and depressive mood (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). Social jetlag (SJL) was measured by SJLsc and standard SJL (SJLs).

Surgical Outcomes in Patients With Low-risk Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma From MAeSTro Study: Immediate Operation Versus Delayed Operation After Active SurveillanceA Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To investigate surgical, and clinical outcomes in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) according to treatment options [immediate operation (IOP) vs delayed operation after active surveillance (AS) (DOP)].

Background: AS has been adopted as an alternative to immediate surgery in patients with low-risk PTMC. Although some patients undergo surgery during AS, there is little information on surgical, and clinical outcomes after delayed operation after AS.

BRAF and TERT promoter C228T mutations on ThyroSeq v3 analysis of delayed skin metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer: a case report and literature review.

Background: Skin metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is a rare entity that can occur up to decades after treatment of the primary tumor. Here, we present a patient who developed skin metastasis 10 years after treatment of her primary tumor and describe the molecular findings of the metastatic lesion.

Case Presentation: A 44-year-old female with a history of PTC who underwent a total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment 10 years ago presented with a 1.

Progression of Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma During Active Surveillance: Interim Analysis of a Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma in Korea.

Active surveillance (AS) is an alternative to thyroidectomy for the management of low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). However, prospective AS data collected from diverse populations are needed. This multicenter prospective cohort study enrolled patients from three referral hospitals in Korea.

A Cross-Sectional Survey of Patient Treatment Choice in a Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study on Active Surveillance of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro).

Active surveillance (AS) is offered as a choice to patients with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). This study aimed to identify patient and physician factors associated with the choice of AS. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of patients with low-risk PTMC who were enrolled in a prospective study comparing outcomes following AS and surgery.

Active Surveillance Versus Immediate Surgery for Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma Patients in South Korea: A Cost-Minimization Analysis from the MAeSTro Study.

Active surveillance (AS) has been established as an alternative to immediate surgery for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Nonetheless, it remains difficult to decide between AS and immediate surgery, since limited objective evidence exists regarding risks and benefits. The aim of study is to compare the cumulative costs of AS and immediate surgery.

Recent Trends in Creatinine Assays in Korea: Long-Term Accuracy-Based Proficiency Testing Survey Data by the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service (2011-2019).

Background: Accurate serum creatinine (Cr) concentration measurement is essential for evaluating kidney function. In 2011, the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service (KEQAS) launched an accuracy-based Cr proficiency testing (ABCr PT) survey. We analyzed long-term data of the KEQAS ABCr PT survey collected between 2011 and 2019 to assess recent trends in Cr assays in Korea.

Standardization Status of Total Cholesterol Concentration Measurement: Analysis of Korean External Quality Assessment Data.

Background: Total cholesterol concentration measurement is important in the diagnosis of dyslipidemia and evaluation of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Measurement reliability for obtaining an accurate total cholesterol concentration requires procedure standardization. We evaluated the standardization status for total cholesterol concentration measurement through Korean external quality assessment (EQA) data analysis.

Effect of Initial Treatment Choice on 2-year Quality of Life in Patients with Low-risk Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma.

Context: The long-term quality of life (QoL) in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) underwent active surveillance (AS) and immediate surgery is unclear.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of initial treatment choice on 2-year QoL in patients with low-risk PTMC.

Design, Setting, And Participants: We analyzed 2652 QoL surveys from 1055 subjects enrolled in ongoing multicenter prospective cohort study on active surveillance of PTMC, in which the median follow-up duration was 24.

Schemes and Performance Evaluation Criteria of Korean Association of External Quality Assessment (KEQAS) for Improving Laboratory Testing.

External quality assessment (EQA) is important for evaluating clinical laboratories and enhancing their testing quality. EQA schemes are variable; thus, it is crucial that the EQA organizers share their experiences to continuously improve the EQA scheme. The Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service (KEQAS) has been the leading, authorized EQA institute for the standardization and quality management of laboratory testing in Korean medical institutions since 1976.

Use of Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Clinical Testing in Korean Laboratories: a Questionnaire Survey.

Background: The use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has substantially increased in clinical laboratories worldwide. To assess the status of clinical LC-MS/MS testing in Korean laboratories, a questionnaire survey was performed by the Clinical Mass Spectrometry Research Committee of the Korean Society of Clinical Chemistry.

Methods: The questionnaire was distributed to 19 clinical laboratories performing clinical LC-MS/MS from April to May 2018.

Lateral Transperitoneal Adrenalectomy Versus Posterior Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy for Benign Adrenal Gland Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial at a Single Tertiary Medical Center.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of lateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy (LTA) and posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (PRA) for benign adrenal tumor.

Background: Although LTA is the standard treatment for benign adrenal gland tumor, PRA has recently gained popularity. Studies comparing the surgical outcomes of the 2 approaches have reported conflicting findings and thus it remains unclear which approach is superior.

Upregulation of the ESR1 Gene and ESR Ratio (ESR1/ESR2) is Associated with a Worse Prognosis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: The Impact of the Estrogen Receptor α/β Expression on Clinical Outcomes in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Patients.

Background: A gender disparity exists with respect to the incidence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), suggesting that sex hormones such as estrogen play a role in PTC development and progression. In this study, we compared estrogen receptor gene expression patterns in PTCs to determine the clinical significance of estrogen gene expression in PTC.

Methods: We analyzed ESR1 and ESR2 messenger RNA expression counts using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Comparison of Bilateral Axillo-Breast Approach Robotic Thyroidectomy with Open Thyroidectomy for Graves' Disease.

Background: There is an ongoing debate about whether robotic thyroidectomy (RT) is appropriate for Graves' disease. The aim of this study was to compare the safety of bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) RT with that of open thyroidectomy (OT) in patients with Graves' disease.

Methods: From January 2008 to June 2014, 189 (44 BABA RT and 145 OT) patients underwent total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease.

Comparative outcomes of lateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy versus posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy in consecutive patients: A single surgeon's experience.

Background: Among several minimally invasive adrenalectomy techniques, lateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy (LTA) is the procedure of choice for benign adrenal tumors; however, posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (PRA) is an alternative that is increasing in popularity. This study compared the outcomes of these two approaches.

Methods: Since a single surgeon started adrenalectomy, LTA had been performed exclusively until PRA was adopted and became the standard treatment.

Effect of Hashimoto thyroiditis on low-dose radioactive-iodine remnant ablation.

Background: Radioactive-iodine remnant ablation is an integral part of the papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) treatment. Although a minimum dose is usually recommended, there is controversy as to whether the low-dose (1100 MBq) radioactive-iodine remnant ablation is adequate for selected patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 691 patients.

Systematic Review of Surgical Approaches for Adrenal Tumors: Lateral Transperitoneal versus Posterior Retroperitoneal and Laparoscopic versus Robotic Adrenalectomy.

Background. Laparoscopic lateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy (LTA) has been the standard method for resecting benign adrenal gland tumors. Recently, however, laparoscopic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (PRA) has been more popular as an alternative method.