Prevalence and trends of cigarette smoking among adults with HIV infection compared with the general population in Korea.

Objectives: This study compared the current smoking prevalence among adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to that of the general Korean population and analyzed changes in smoking prevalence and cessation rates from 2009 to 2020.

Methods: The study included a total of 10,980 adults with HIV infection who underwent a health screening examination (NHIS-NHID), 1,230 individuals with HIV infection who participated in the Korea HIV/AIDS Cohort (KoCosHIV), and 76,783 participants from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). We estimated the current smoking prevalence and the quit ratio, defined as the ratio of former smokers to ever-smokers.

Painting Cell-Cell Interactions by Horseradish Peroxidase and Endogenously Generated Hydrogen Peroxide.

Cell-cell interactions are fundamental in biology for maintaining physiological conditions with direct contact being the most straightforward mode of interaction. Recent advancements have led to the development of various chemical tools for detecting or identifying these interactions. However, the use of exogenous cues, such as toxic reagents, bulky probes, and light irradiation, can disrupt normal cell physiology.

Safety and Efficacy of Two Ultrathin Biodegradable Polymer Sirolimus-Eluting Stents in Real-World Practice: Genoss DES Stents Versus Orsiro Stents From a Prospective Registry.

Background: The Orsiro and Genoss DES stents are biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents (DESs) with ultrathin struts.

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of these two ultrathin DESs in real-world practice.

Methods: From a single-center prospective registry, we included 751 and 931 patients treated with the Genoss DES and Orsiro stents, respectively.

Effects of excessive bleaching on hair: comparative analysis of external morphology and internal microstructure.

This study investigates the impact of excessive bleaching on the external morphology and internal microstructure of hair, compared to untreated hair. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we observed significant changes in both the surface and internal structures of bleached hair. SEM analysis of normal hair revealed a relatively clean surface with intact cuticle scales, while bleached hair showed brittle, torn scales with a rough appearance.

Challenge of Precautionary Allergen Labeling for Ensuring the Safety of Children With Food Allergies.

Background: Precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) is mandatory and legally regulated in Korea. This study aims to investigate the frequency of PAL use in food products, evaluate its competence, and seek direction for improvement.

Methods: Cow's milk (CM) and hen's egg white (EW) protein concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Association Between Obesity and Intra-Abdominal Solid Organ Damage in Patients with Blunt Abdominal Trauma: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The global prevalence of obesity continues to rise. However, whether obesity affects the degree of intra-abdominal solid organ damage following blunt trauma remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between obesity and intra-abdominal solid organ damage.

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.

The prevalence and implications of depression and anxiety in patients with bronchiectasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Comorbidities significantly affect bronchiectasis prognosis. Depression and anxiety are frequently encountered psychological comorbidities that have the greatest impact on bronchiectasis. This systematic review aimed to identify the prevalence of depression and anxiety and describe their implications for bronchiectasis.

Discontinuation of β-blocker therapy in stabilised patients after acute myocardial infarction (SMART-DECISION): rationale and design of the randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: There is a lack of evidence to support the effectiveness of prolonged β-blocker therapy after stabilisation of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) without heart failure (HF) or left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Methods And Analysis: The SMart Angioplasty Research Team: DEcision on Medical Therapy in Patients with Coronary Artery DIsease or Structural Heart Disease Undergoing InterventiON (SMART-DECISION) trial is a multicentre, prospective, open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial designed to determine whether discontinuing β-blocker therapy after ≥1 year of maintenance in stabilised patients after AMI is non-inferior to continuing it. Patients eligible for participation are those without HF or left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction >40%) who have been continuing β-blocker therapy for ≥1 year after AMI.

ICRP pregnant-female mesh-type reference computational phantoms part 1: development of fetal phantoms.

. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) decided to develop pregnant-female reference computational phantoms, including the maternal and fetal phantoms, through its 2007 general recommendations. Acknowledging the advantages of the mesh geometry, the ICRP decided to develop the pregnant-female mesh-type reference computational phantoms (MRCPs) for 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 38 week fetal ages directly in the mesh format.

EPRS1-mediated fibroblast activation and mitochondrial dysfunction promote kidney fibrosis.

Kidney fibrosis causes irreversible structural damage in chronic kidney disease and is characterized by aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Although glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (EPRS1) is a crucial enzyme involved in proline-rich protein synthesis, its role in kidney fibrosis remains unclear. The present study revealed that EPRS1 expression levels were increased in the fibrotic kidneys of patients and mice, especially in fibroblasts and proximal tubular epithelial cells, on the basis of single-cell analysis and immunostaining of fibrotic kidneys.

Clinical Characteristics of T2-Low and T2-High Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap: Findings From COREA Cohort.

Purpose: Despite the emerging biologics, biomarkers and treatment options for asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) are still limited, requiring further research.

Methods: We enrolled 378 ACO patients from a multicenter real-world asthma cohort in Korea and compared the clinical characteristics, lung function, and exacerbation between type 2 (T2)-high and T2-low groups. We used the following comparisons: 1) low vs.

Use of antipsychotic drugs during radiotherapy in adult cancer patients in Korea: a nationwide retrospective cohort study based on the national health insurance service database.

Background: Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) are used for treating mental illnesses and are also used by cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate APD use in adult cancer patients who received radiotherapy (RT) in South Korea and assess the effects of APD use during RT on survival.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized the National Health Insurance Service database database of Korea.

Epidemiologic Trends and Socioeconomic Disparities of Ankylosing Spondylitis in South Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study, 2010-2021.

Purpose: To investigate the epidemiological trends and socioeconomic disparities associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in South Korea over a decade (2010-2021) using National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) claims data.

Materials And Methods: Employing data from the NHIS database, this study identified 31753 incident AS patients in 2010-2021. We calculated the annual age-standardized prevalence and incidence rates and analyzed crude incidence rates and diagnostic patterns across age groups.

Association of Striatal Dopamine Depletion and Brain Metabolism Changes With Motor and Cognitive Deficits in Patients With Parkinson Disease.

Background And Objectives: Parkinson disease (PD) shows degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and characteristic changes in brain metabolism. However, how they correlated and affect motor and cognitive dysfunction in PD has not yet been well elucidated.

Methods: In this single-site cross-sectional study, we enrolled patients with PD who underwent -(3-[F]fluoropropyl)-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)nortropane (F-FP-CIT) PET, F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET, the Movement Disorder Society-sponsored Unified PD Rating Scale examination, and detailed neuropsychological testing.

A Real-World, Prospective, Observational Study of Rivaroxaban on Prevention of Stroke and Non-Central Nervous Systemic Embolism in Renally Impaired Korean Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: XARENAL.

Background And Objectives: Several real-world studies have been done in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF); however, information on its safety profile in patients with renal impairment is limited. XARENAL, a real-world study, aimed to prospectively investigate the safety profile of rivaroxaban in patients with NVAF with renal impairment (creatinine clearance [CrCl], 15-49 mL/min).

Methods: XARENAL is an observational single-arm cohort study in renal impairment NVAF patients.

Characteristics of Side Effects in Non-Emergency Indications Using Computer-Controlled Pressurized Monoplace Hyperbaric Chambers: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves inhaling nearly 100% oxygen in a pressurized environment and is commonly used to treat various diseases and injuries. Despite its well-known safety, HBOT is associated with side effects, with frequent middle ear barotrauma (MEB) and oxygen toxicity. Understanding the characteristics and risk factors associated with these side effects is critical for improving patient compliance and treatment outcomes.

Gait parameters in Healthy Older Adults in Korea.

Objective: Gait is the most fundamental and common form of human locomotion, essential in daily activities. We aimed to investigate gait parameters in medically and cognitively healthy older adults to determine the independent effects of age, physical attributes, and cognition on these parameters.

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled healthy older adult participants aged ≥50 years with normal cognition and no neurological symptoms or medical/surgical histories that could potentially affect gait.