Safety and efficacy of moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe in elderly patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Background: High-intensity statin therapy significantly reduces mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, moderate-intensity statins are often preferred for elderly patients due to their higher risk of intolerance to high-intensity statins.

Objective: To compare the incidence of statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) and the effect on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels between elderly ASCVD patients receiving high-intensity statin monotherapy and those receiving moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe in a combination therapy.

Clinical Relevance of Discordance Between Physiology- and Imaging-Guided PCI Strategies in Intermediate Coronary Stenosis.

Background: Recent randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of intravascular imaging (IVI)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) over angiography-guided PCI. However, the role of angiography-based physiological assessment during IVI-guided PCI remains unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the discrepancies and significance of angiography-based physiological assessments in IVI-guided PCI.

Quality of life outcomes in terminal cancer patients attending regional cancer centers in South Korea: protocol for a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Patients with cancer experience physical, mental, and social pain that affects themselves and their families. The increasing cancer incidence and advances in treatment have increased the number of cancer survivors in Korea, and there is an influx of patients in Seoul and other metropolitan areas, leading to shortages of continuous care and comprehensive life support facilities. Patients must travel long distances for treatment, which poses logistical and quality-of-life challenges.

Avelumab + axitinib vs sunitinib as first-line treatment for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma: final analysis of the phase 3 JAVELIN Renal 101 trial.

Background: In the phase 3 JAVELIN Renal 101 trial (NCT02684006), first-line treatment with avelumab + axitinib resulted in significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and a higher objective response rate (ORR) vs sunitinib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC). We report the final analysis, including the primary analysis of overall survival (OS).

Patients And Methods: Patients with untreated aRCC (any prognostic risk score) were enrolled.

Child Neurology: Neurophysiologic and Anatomical Correlates in Startle Epilepsy: A Comprehensive SEEG Investigation for Successful Resective Surgery.

Startle epilepsy, characterized by startle-provoked epileptic seizures, was historically recognized as one of the reflex epilepsies but currently lacks classification as a specific epileptic syndrome because of insufficient characterization. This study presents an institutional experience and review of relevant literature focusing on the neurophysiologic and anatomical aspects of startle epilepsy. We describe a pediatric patient with an underlying structural etiology of left frontal encephalomalacia who continued to experience disabling seizures despite multiple antiseizure medications and previous palliative surgery.

Prognostic performance of the N category in the 9th edition of lung cancer staging.

Objectives: To compare the prognostic performance of the N category of lung cancer in the 9th edition with previous editions (7th edition and 8th edition's proposal).

Methods: Patients who underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy for lung cancer from January 2015 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and pathologic N categories were reclassified according to the 9th edition (N0, N1, N2a, and N2b), the 8th edition's proposal (N0, N1a, N1b, N2a1, N2a2, and N2b), and the 7th edition (N0, N1, and N2).

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of controlled-release phentermine/topiramate in adults with obesity in Korea: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 4 trial (QUEEN's study).

Aims: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a combination of phentermine and delayed-release topiramate (PHEN/TPM CR) versus placebo as an adjunct to standard lifestyle recommendations in Korean adults.

Materials And Methods: This 56-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 4 trial enrolled adults (age 19-70 years) with obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m) at eight sites in South Korea. After a 12-week lifestyle programme, participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive PHEN/TPM CR or placebo.

Physical Performance Level and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Female Patients with Distal Radius Fracture.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of physical performance level on patient-reported outcomes after surgery for distal radius fractures (DRF).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 157 women with DRF who underwent surgery and completed the short physical performance battery (SPPB) within one month of trauma between January 2019 and August 2022. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed one year postoperatively using the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) and patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) questionnaires.

Relationships between the Microbiome and Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in the microbiome of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT), focusing on the relationship between the microbiome and response to nCRT.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study involving 103 samples from 26 patients with LARC. Samples were collected from both the tumor and normal rectal tissues before and after nCRT.

Phase II Trial of Neoadjuvant Docetaxel/Cisplatin/5-Fluorouracil Combined with Pegteograstim for Unresectable, Locally Advanced Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: KCSG HN18-07.

Purpose: The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) has not been established prospectively. We conducted a phase II trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with docetaxel/cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (TPF) in this population.

Materials And Methods: Eligible patients had unresectable, locally advanced SNSCC, defined as T3/4 stage or potential compromise of critical organ function on surgery.

Case report of anti-f(ce) antibody identified with unknown autoantibody from ABO discrepancy in a patient with liver cell carcinoma.

The Rh blood type has 57 antigens, including D, C, E, c, and e. This blood type is clinically significant, alongside the ABO blood type. The anti-f(ce) antibody is an unexpected antibody that targets an antigen composed of the c and e antigens.

Targeting ERBB3 and AKT to overcome adaptive resistance in EML4-ALK-driven non-small cell lung cancer.

The fusion event between EML4 and ALK drives a significant oncogenic activity in 5% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Even though potent ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) are successfully used for the treatment of EML4-ALK-positive NSCLC patients, a subset of those patients eventually acquire resistance during their therapy. Here, we investigate the kinase responses in EML4-ALK V1 and V3-harbouring NSCLC cancer cells after acute inhibition with ALK TKI, lorlatinib (LOR).

User Experience and Extended Technology Acceptance Model in Commercial Health Care App Usage Among Patients With Cancer: Mixed Methods Study.

Background: The shift in medical care toward prediction and prevention has led to the emergence of digital health care as a valuable tool for managing health issues. Aiding long-term follow-up care for cancer survivors and contributing to improved survival rates. However, potential barriers to mobile health usage, including age-related disparities and challenges in user retention for commercial health apps, highlight the need to assess the impact of patients' abilities and health status on the adoption of these interventions.

Assessing the impact of apnea duration on the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and hearing loss.

Objectives: The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hearing loss (HL) remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between OSA and HL, and to identify which factors play a key role.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 90 subjects diagnosed with OSA.

Factors Associated with Lamina Cribrosa Microvasculature Determined via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Prcis: The lamina cribrosa microvasculature reduction was associated with the posterior deformation of lamina cribrosa, as well as the functional deterioration, in all spectrums of open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose: To investigate the factors associated with the lamina cribrosa vessel density (LCVD) determined via swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA).

Materials And Methods: The optic nerve head (ONH) scan was obtained using SS-OCTA (PLEX Elite 9000; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.

A Machine Learning Model to Predict De Novo Hepatocellular Carcinoma Beyond Year 5 of Antiviral Therapy in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background And Aims: This study aims to develop and validate a machine learning (ML) model predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients after the first 5 years of entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir (TFV) therapy.

Methods: CHB patients treated with ETV/TFV for > 5 years and not diagnosed with HCC during the first 5 years of therapy were selected from two hospitals. We used 36 variables, including baseline characteristics (age, sex, cirrhosis, and type of antiviral agent) and laboratory values (at baseline, at 5 years, and changes between 5 years) for model development.

Quantitative Coronary Angiography Guidance for Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation: A Narrative Review.

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using drug-eluting stents is an established strategy for the treatment of significant obstructive coronary artery disease. Evidence supports that intravascular imaging-guided PCI offers advantages over conventional angiography-guided PCI, though its use is limited, likely due to high costs. Angiography-guided PCI relies on visual estimation, leading to inter- and intra-observer variability and suboptimal outcomes.

Usenamine A: a potential therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis through its anti-inflammatory activity.

Background: Usenamine A (UA) is a natural compound isolated from the lichen , and its therapeutic effects on rheumatic diseases are not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory effects of UA and its therapeutic effects on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Materials And Methods: Molecular docking was performed between the 3D structure of UA and the TNF-TNFR2 complex.

Surgical Construction of Wide-Neck Bifurcation Experimental Aneurysm in an In Vivo Canine Model to Test Neurovascular Device.

Stents are increasingly used for coiling difficult aneurysms, to reduce the risk of recurrences, or to modify blood flow. Currently, available bifurcation aneurysm models are ill-suited to assess stent performance before clinical use. We designed a new animal model of wide-neck canine Y-type bifurcation aneurysm (such as middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation) and previously reported one of T-type (such as basilar bifurcation).

Evaluation of Aortic Diseases Using Four-Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The complex hemodynamic environment within the aortic lumen plays a crucial role in the progression of aortic diseases such as aneurysms and dissections. Traditional imaging modalities often fail to provide comprehensive flow dynamics that are essential for precise risk assessment and timely intervention. The advent of time-resolved, three-dimensional (3D) phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (4D flow MRI) has revolutionized the evaluation of aortic diseases by allowing a detailed visualizations of flow patterns and quantification of hemodynamic parameters.

Evaluating the perioperative risks in esophageal resection and reconstruction for esophageal carcinoma among elderly patients: A retrospective propensity score matching analysis.

Introduction: With the global aging, the number of elderly candidates for esophageal resection is increasing. However, studies on esophagectomy in elderly patients have yielded conflicting results, and individuals over 75 years old are frequently excluded from studies on esophageal cancer. This study aimed to analyze perioperative and survival outcomes post-esophagectomy in elderly patients using propensity score matching (PSM).

Walthard Cell Nests/Transitional Cell Metaplasia in Distal Fallopian Tubes and Pelvic Peritoneum Derived From Reserve Cells.

Transitional cell metaplasia (TCM) resembling benign urothelium is commonly seen around the distal fallopian tube and/or neighboring mesothelial surface; however, its histogenesis remains largely unknown. We observed the emergence of a cytokeratin (CK) 17-positive reserve cell layer in early TCM foci beneath the tubal epithelium, leading us to hypothesize that TCM could be derived from reserve cells. To elucidate the histogenetic process of TCM, we analyzed the histomorphologic features and immunoprofiles for CK17, CK5/6, p63, GATA-3, estrogen receptor (ER), and androgen receptor (AR) in TCM foci arising in the tubal epithelium (31 foci) and pelvic mesothelium (35 foci).

Efficacy of Oral Sulfate Tablet and 2 L-Polyethylene Glycol With Ascorbic Acid for Bowel Preparation: A Prospective Randomized KASID Multicenter Trial.

Background: Oral sulfate tablets (OSTs) are bowel preparation agents that combine oral sulfate solution and simethicone. This study compared the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of OST compared to 2 L-polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid (2 L-PEG/ASC).

Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blinded, multicenter, noninferiority trial enrolled 211 healthy adults who underwent colonoscopy between May 2020 and September 2022 at 13 university hospitals.