Detachment of the Intersegmental Plane in Robotic Left Hepatectomy Using Indocyanine Green Fluorescent Imaging (with Video).

Background: Anatomical liver resection has been altered by a deeper understanding of the internal structure of the liver, highlighting the importance of the intersegmental plane, a region lacking Glissonean branches. These insights have enabled a novel surgical technique focused on the precise detachment of the intersegmental plane, supported by indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent imaging and robotic platforms, enhancing the precision and safety of liver resection.

Methods: This study involved four patients who underwent robotic left hepatectomy using the Da Vinci Xi system.

Understanding of patients with severe COVID-19 using lung ultrasound.

Background: Lung ultrasound (LUS) has proven valuable in the initial assessment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but its role in detecting pulmonary fibrosis following intensive care remains unclear. This study aims to assess the presence of pulmonary sequelae and fibrosis-like changes using LUS in survivors of severe COVID-19 pneumonia one month after discharge.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with severe COVID-19 who required mechanical ventilation in the ICU and conducted LUS assessments from admission to the outpatient visit after discharge.

Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number as a Potential Biomarker for the Severity of Motor Symptoms and Prognosis in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Mitochondrial function influences Parkinson's disease (PD) through the accumulation of pathogenic alpha-synuclein, oxidative stress, impaired autophagy, and neuroinflammation. The mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN), representing the number of mitochondrial DNA copies within a cell, serves as an easily assessable proxy for mitochondrial function.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of mtDNA-CN in PD.

The structure, role, and procedures of Korean expert committee on immunization practices.

Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health, preventing infectious diseases with significant contribution to human health. In South Korea, the Korea Expert Committee on Immunization Practices (KECIP) plays a pivotal role in guiding national vaccination policies. In this comprehensive review, we investigated the history, legal basis, operation, and achievements of the KECIP, highlighting its critical role in shaping the country's successful vaccination program.

Is the Current Lights-Off Time in General Hospitals Too Early, Given People's Usual Bedtimes?

Objective: This study aimed to investigate how shift-working nursing professionals perceive the current lights-off time in wards as early, appropriate, or late and how their perceptions can be influenced when considering people's usual bedtimes.

Methods: An online survey was conducted comprising queries about the current lights-off time in wards and respondents' opinions, self-rated psychological status, and perceptions of the current lights-off time considering others' usual bedtimes. Psychological status was evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep-16, and the Discrepancy between Desired Time in Bed and Desired Total Sleep Time (DBST) Index, along with the expected DBST Index of others.

Study Protocol of the Korean EGFR Registry: A Multicenter Prospective and Retrospective Cohort Study in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Patients With EGFR Mutation.

Introduction: The provision of treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients has increased in Korea. However, multicenter studies on the clinicopathologic dataset and treatment outcomes, using a large-scale dataset, have not been conducted. The current study is a prospective and retrospective multicenter observational cohort study that registers all stages of EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mediated Suppression of GREM2 Inhibits Renal Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Attenuates the Progression of Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Despite advancements in various treatments, the prevalence of DKD continues to rise, leading to a significant increase in the demand for dialysis and kidney transplantation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a Small cell＋Ultra Potent＋Scale UP cell (SMUP-Cell), a type of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cell, on DKD in the db/db mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

eIF2α phosphorylation-ATF4 axis-mediated transcriptional reprogramming mitigates mitochondrial impairment during ER stress.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) phosphorylation, which regulates all 3 unfolded protein response pathways, helps maintain cellular homeostasis and overcome endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress through transcriptional and translational reprogramming. However, transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis by eIF2α phosphorylation during ER stress is not fully understood. Here, we report that the eIF2α phosphorylation-activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) axis is required for the expression of multiple transcription factors, including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and its target genes responsible for mitochondrial homeostasis during ER stress.

Long-Term Survival Outcomes of Surgical Resection for Lung Adenocarcinoma with Intraoperatively Diagnosed Pleural Metastasis: Target Treatment Era.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of main tumor resection on long-term survival compared with pleural biopsy alone in patients with lung adenocarcinoma who were intraoperatively diagnosed with pleural metastasis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 176 patients with adenocarcinoma who had unexpected pleural metastasis detected during surgery from 2002 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Each surgeon decided whether to perform main tumor resection or pleural biopsy alone.

Chronic cough management: Practical guidelines and PICO-based evidence for treatment.

This part reviews the management of chronic cough and proposes a management algorithm. Despite proven improvements in quality of life following chronic cough treatment, a clear understanding of the disease and the evidence for the efficacy of some treatments remain vague. Eight key questions regarding the treatment in the uncertain areas were systematically addressed based on the PICO framework and applying the GRADE system for evidence synthesis to provide the strength of recommendation and quality of evidence for key questions, with narrative components for the description of other chronic cough treatment including non-pharmacological therapy.

Chronic cough management: Practical guidelines and PICO-based evidence for screening and investigation.

Chronic cough is a common clinical condition requiring comprehensive assessment. This review employs a symptom-focused approach, prioritizing the presenting symptom of "chronic cough" to mirror real-world clinical practice. Ten key questions regarding the investigations in the uncertain areas were systematically addressed based on the PICO framework and applying the GRADE system for evidence synthesis to provide the strength of recommendation and quality of evidence for key questions.

Susceptibility map-weighted MRI can distinguish tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease from essential tremor.

Distinguishing between Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET) can be challenging sometimes. Although positron emission tomography can confirm PD diagnosis, its application is limited by high cost and exposure to radioactive isotopes. Patients with PD exhibit loss of the dorsal nigral hyperintensity on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Two-Dimensional BiOCl Nanosheet-Encapsulated CuO Octahedra: p-n Junction Photocatalysts for Efficient Visible Light Driven CO-To-CH Conversion.

CuO has attracted significant attention as a potential photocatalyst for CO reduction. However, its practical use is limited by rapid charge recombination, insufficient catalytic sites, and poor stability. In this study, we report a facile synthesis of CuO@BiOCl core-shell hybrids with a well-defined shape of CuO and a two-dimensional nanosheet structure of BiOCl.

ZIC1 is a context-dependent medulloblastoma driver in the rhombic lip.

Transcription factors are frequent cancer driver genes, exhibiting noted specificity based on the precise cell of origin. We demonstrate that ZIC1 exhibits loss-of-function (LOF) somatic events in group 4 (G4) medulloblastoma through recurrent point mutations, subchromosomal deletions and mono-allelic epigenetic repression (60% of G4 medulloblastoma). In contrast, highly similar SHH medulloblastoma exhibits distinct and diametrically opposed gain-of-function mutations and copy number gains (20% of SHH medulloblastoma).

Shared rare genetic variants in multiplex autism families suggest a social memory gene under selection.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects up to 1 in 59 children, and is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders. Recent genomic studies have highlighted the role of rare variants in ASD. This study aimed to identify genes affected by rare variants shared by siblings with ASD and validate the function of a candidate gene FRRS1L.

Behind the scenes of EQA - characteristics, capabilities, benefits and assets of external quality assessment (EQA).

External quality assessment (EQA) enhances patient safety through the evaluation of the quality of laboratory-based and point of care testing. Regulatory agencies and accreditation organizations utilize the results and the laboratory's response to them as part of assessing the laboratory's fitness to practice. In addition, where EQA samples are commutable and the assigned value has been determined using reference measurement procedures (RMPs), EQA data contributes to the verification of metrological traceability of assays as part of the post-market surveillance of diagnostic (IVD) medical devices (IVD-MDs).

Impact of Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Colonization on Clinical Characteristics, Antibiotic Treatment, and Clinical Outcomes of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia.

Purpose: To determine effects of colonization with multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) in general wards on characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP).

Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients with HAP admitted to 16 tertiary or university hospitals in Korea from July 2019 to December 2019. From the entire cohort, patients who developed pneumonia in general wards with known colonization status before the onset of pneumonia were included in this study.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Survival Outcomes in Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer: Results From the NIFTY Trial.

Background: Numerous studies have explored the role of vitamin D in various cancers; however, its impact on advanced biliary tract cancers (BTC) within a prospective cohort remains to be investigated. This preplanned subgroup analysis of the NIFTY trial evaluated the prognostic implications of serum vitamin D levels in patients with advanced BTC undergoing second-line chemotherapy.

Methods: From the 174 patients in the NIFTY trial, a total of 173 patients (99.

Predicting persistent SARS-CoV-2 shedding in immunocompromised patients: a probability-based approach.

Background: Although recommended isolation periods for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been shortened as the pandemic has subsided, prolonged Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) shedding remains common in immunocompromised patients. This study estimated the probability of viral clearance in these patients based on elapsed days and specific risk factors.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled immunocompromised patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis from January 2022 to May 2023 during the Omicron variant era.

Survey of the Actual Practices Used for Endoscopic Removal of Colon Polyps in Korea: A Comparison with the Current Guidelines.

Background/aims: We investigated the clinical practice patterns of Korean endoscopists for the endoscopic resection of colorectal polyps.

Methods: From September to November 2021, an online survey was conducted regarding the preferred resection methods for colorectal polyps, and responses were compared with the international guidelines.

Results: Among 246 respondents, those with <4 years, 4-9 years, and ≥10 years of experience in colonoscopy practices accounted for 25.

Evidence-based clinical recommendations for hypofractionated radiotherapy: exploring efficacy and safety - Part 4: Liver and locally recurrent rectal cancer.

In this paper, we review the use of hypofractionated radiotherapy for gastrointestinal malignancies, focusing on primary and metastatic liver cancer, and recurrent rectal cancer. Technological advancements in radiotherapy have facilitated the direct delivery of high-dose radiation to tumors, while limiting normal tissue exposure, supporting the use of hypofractionation. Hypofractionated radiotherapy is particularly effective for primary and metastatic liver cancer where high-dose irradiation is crucial to achieve effective local control.

Narrative mobile video game-based cognitive training to enhance frontal function in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Although cognitive training has been proposed as a possible therapeutic modality for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), most serious games focus on specific tasks. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of narrative video game-based cognitive intervention for MCI. A four-week (± 1-week) mobile game intervention was given to 17 MCI participants (mean age (SD) = 72.

Comparison of the prognosis and lymph node metastasis between no tumor budding and low-grade tumor budding in T1 and T2 colorectal cancer.

Tumor budding is a significant prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC) management and is graded as follows: 0-4 buds as low, 5-9 buds as intermediate, and > 10 buds as high. However, the specific prognostic difference between cases with 0 buds (BD0) and those with 1-4 buds (BD1) is not well established owing to a lack of comparative studies. This study aimed to examine and compare the rate of lymph node (LN) metastasis and prognosis by distinguishing between BD0 and BD1 within the low-grade category (0-4 buds) of tumor budding in submucosa (T1) and muscularis propria (T2) CRC.

Relationship between proximal to distal phalangeal articular angle and Hallux Pronation in Hallux Valgus deformity.

This study aimed to determine whether hallux pronation influences the proximal to distal phalangeal articular angle (PDPAA) and evaluate its relationship with postoperative recurrence. We included 94 hallux valgus (HV) patients who underwent distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy (DCMO) alone (DCMO-only group, n = 15) and DCMO with Akin osteotomy (DCMO + Akin group, n = 79). Preoperative additional toe radiographs were taken under supination stress to position the pronated toe as a true anteroposterior orientation.