Incidence of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy in the UK from 1991 to 2024: a longitudinal observational cohort study.

Introduction: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) may cause spinal cord inflammation, leading to HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM). HAM is a chronic and progressive neurological disorder that is associated with increased mortality and impaired quality of life. There are limited data on the incidence of HAM, with higher rates seen in Latin America and the Caribbean compared to Japan.

Effect of nationwide postoperative rehabilitation at home program after lower extremity surgeries in older and younger people.

Background: A nationwide Rehabilitation at Home Care Pilot Program for patients undergoing lower extremity orthopedic surgeries has been ongoing since 2020. The program was designed to improve clinical outcomes through early mobilization and rehabilitation after discharge. This study aimed to analyze the interim data to assess its effectiveness and suggest improvements, particularly for older patients who are more vulnerable compared to younger patients.

Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic RNAs that enhance viral fitness and immune evasion.

Coronaviruses express their structural and accessory genes via a set of subgenomic RNAs, whose synthesis is directed by transcription regulatory sequences (TRSs) in the 5' genomic leader and upstream of each body open reading frame. In SARS-CoV-2, the TRS has the consensus AAACGAAC; upon searching for emergence of this motif in the global SARS-CoV-2 sequences, we find that it evolves frequently, especially in the 3' end of the genome. We show well-supported examples upstream of the Spike gene-within the nsp16 coding region of ORF1b-which is expressed during human infection, and upstream of the canonical Envelope gene TRS, both of which have evolved convergently in multiple lineages.

χ-sepnet: Deep Neural Network for Magnetic Susceptibility Source Separation.

Magnetic susceptibility source separation (χ-separation), an advanced quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) method, enables the separate estimation of paramagnetic and diamagnetic susceptibility source distributions in the brain. Similar to QSM, it requires solving the ill-conditioned problem of dipole inversion, suffering from so-called streaking artifacts. Additionally, the method utilizes reversible transverse relaxation ( ) to complement frequency shift information for estimating susceptibility source concentrations, requiring time-consuming data acquisition for (e.

Risk Factors for Progressive Disease After Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: This study analyzed the clinical features of patients with recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), who developed progressive disease (PD) after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 256 patients with R/M HNSCC treated with ICIs at 11 medical centers. Associations between the treatment outcomes-best response, overall survival, and progression-free survival-and various clinical factors were analyzed.

Prognostic Value of Ambulatory Status at Transplant in Older Heart Transplant Recipients: Implications for Organ Allocation Policy.

Background: Shortage of organ donors in the Republic of Korea has become a major problem. To address this, it has been questioned whether heart transplant (HTx) allocation should be modified to reduce priority of older patients. We aimed to evaluate post-HTx outcomes according to recipient age and specific pre-HTx conditions using a nationwide prospective cohort.

Reactive EEG Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline with currently no effective treatment available. One of the most critical areas in AD research is the identification of reliable biomarkers, which are essential for accurate diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and the development of targeted therapies. In this study, we introduce two novel reactive EEG (rEEG) biomarkers aimed at enhancing the diagnosis of AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Current status of pulmonary rehabilitation and impact on prognosis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in South Korea.

Background: The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have been limited to improving dyspnea, exercise capacity, and quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the current status of PR and its effect on prognosis.

Methods: The Nationwide Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database was used in this study.

Impact of antifibrotic therapy on lung cancer incidence and mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are at risk of lung cancer development. Antifibrotic therapy could slow disease progression of IPF, but there is limited data on its effectiveness on lung cancer. Here, we aimed to investigate lung cancer incidence and the risk of mortality of patients with IPF receiving antifibrotic therapy.

Ischaemic Meckel's Diverticulum, Mesodiverticular Band, and Small Bowel Volvulus With Closed Loop Obstruction: A Laparoscopic Approach and Literature Review.

Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. It usually lies on the antimesenteric side of the ileum, about 60 cm from the ileocecal valve. Histologically, it is a true diverticulum comprising all four layers of the intestinal tract.

Lung cancer organoid-based drug evaluation models and new drug development application trends.

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality rates in both men and women worldwide. Although anticancer drugs are prescribed to treat lung cancer patients, individual responses to these drugs vary, making it crucial to identify the most suitable treatment for each patient. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an anticancer drug efficacy prediction model that can analyze drug efficacy before patient treatment and establish personalized treatment strategies.

Risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Asian patients with primary biliary cholangitis: A nationwide and hospital cohort study.

Background & Aims: Large-scale studies on the association between primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Asians are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of HCC and its risk factors in a nationwide cohort.

Methods: The data of 4,882 patients with PBC and 38,603 matched controls were extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (2007-2020) and analyzed.

Exploring Integrin α5β1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Insights From Comprehensive Multicenter Preclinical Studies.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by obliterative vascular remodeling of the small pulmonary arteries (PAs) and progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance leading to right ventricular failure. Although several drugs are approved for the treatment of PAH, mortality rates remain high. Accumulating evidence supports a pathological function of integrins in vessel remodeling, which are gaining renewed interest as drug targets.

Sarcopenic Obesity: A Comprehensive Approach for Postmenopausal Women.

Sarcopenic obesity, characterized by the concurrent presence of muscle loss and obesity, poses significant health challenges, especially in the elderly. This review explores the impact of sarcopenic obesity on disability, metabolic health, comorbidities, and potential management strategies. With the aging global population, the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity is expected to increase, necessitating a comprehensive management approach.

Switching to Besifovir in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Receiving Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate: A Randomized Trial.

Background/aims: Besifovir (BSV) showed comparable antiviral activity superior safety profiles to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, no data are available regarding the antiviral efficacy and safety of BSV in patients with CHB who switched from long-term TDF to BSV. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of a 48-week BSV therapy in patients with CHB who switched from long-term TDF treatment.

Change in exacerbation rate of COPD patients before and after COVID-19 infection.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected global health system, significantly altering not only the acute management of viral infection, but also management strategies for chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on exacerbation rates and the economic burden in patients with COPD. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the national insurance reimbursement data of South Korea.

Retinal detachment after acute retinal necrosis: a retrospective analysis of hospitalized patients.

Purpose: To review hospitalized patients with Acute Retinal Necrosis (ARN) and investigate factors associated with subsequent retinal detachment (RD).

Study Design: Retrospective.

Methods: The study included 40 patients (42 eyes), categorized into non-RD (23 eyes) and RD (19 eyes) groups.

Genomic reanalysis of a pan-European rare-disease resource yields new diagnoses.

Genetic diagnosis of rare diseases requires accurate identification and interpretation of genomic variants. Clinical and molecular scientists from 37 expert centers across Europe created the Solve-Rare Diseases Consortium (Solve-RD) resource, encompassing clinical, pedigree and genomic rare-disease data (94.5% exomes, 5.

mtSTAT3 suppresses rheumatoid arthritis by regulating Th17 and synovial fibroblast inflammatory cell death with IL-17-mediated autophagy dysfunction.

Th17 cells are activated by STAT3 factors in the nucleus, and these factors are correlated with the pathologic progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of STAT3 in mitochondria, but its function is unclear. We investigated the novel role of mitochondrial STAT3 (mitoSTAT3) in Th17 cells and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) and analyzed the correlation of mitoSTAT3 with RA.

Clinical feasibility of deep learning-driven magnetic resonance angiography collateral map in acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke.

To validate the clinical feasibility of deep learning-driven magnetic resonance angiography (DL-driven MRA) collateral map in acute ischemic stroke. We employed a 3D multitask regression and ordinal regression deep neural network, called as 3D-MROD-Net, to generate DL-driven MRA collateral maps. Two raters graded the collateral perfusion scores of both conventional and DL-driven MRA collateral maps and measured the grading time.

Management of infants presenting with fever: a review of pan-London hospital guidelines and national guidelines.

Febrile infants often have self-limiting conditions. Differentiating them from infants with serious bacterial infections can be challenging. We aimed to understand how febrile infants are managed across London, by analysing the management steps from local clinical practical guidelines (CPGs) and comparing them to the national guideline 143 (NG143).

Development and Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Mobile Intervention for Perinatal Mental Health: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Perinatal mental health problems, such as anxiety, stress, and depression, warrant particularly close monitoring and intervention, but they are often unaddressed in both obstetric and psychiatric clinics, with limited accessibility and treatment resources. Mobile health interventions may provide an effective and more accessible solution for addressing perinatal mental health. Development and evaluation of a mobile mental health intervention specifically for pregnant women are warranted.

GX-188E DNA vaccine plus pembrolizumab in HPV 16- and/or 18-positive recurrent or advance cervical cancer: a phase 2 trial.

Background: In an interim analysis of this phase 2 trial, adding the GX-188E vaccine to pembrolizumab resulted in manageable toxicity with antitumor activities in patients with recurrent or advanced cervical cancer. Here, we report the final safety and efficacy results after a long-term follow-up at the study's completion.

Methods: This open-label, single-arm, phase II trial was conducted in nine hospitals in South Korea (ClinicalTrials.