Instructor factors associated with medical students' lecture evaluation: a longitudinal analysis.

Purpose: This study identified factors that affect lecture evaluation by analyzing sophomores from Dankook University, examining each cluster's characteristics, and comparing differences among trajectories.

Methods: This study identified factors that affect lecture evaluation by analyzing sophomores from Dankook University, examining each cluster's characteristics, and comparing differences among trajectories.

Results: The lecture evaluation score decreased as the teaching hours per instructor in a year increased by an hour, and the number of instructors per lecture increased by one individual.

Successful removal of remnant cystic duct stump stone using single-operator cholangioscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy: two case reports.

Cholecystectomy is the best method for treating gallstone diseases. However, 10%-30% of patients who undergo a cholecystectomy continue to complain of upper abdominal pain, dyspepsia, or jaundice-this is referred to as postcholecystectomy syndrome. Cystic duct stump stones are a troublesome cause of postcholecystectomy syndrome.

Current Practice Patterns of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Tissue Sampling for Pancreatic Solid Mass in Korea: Outcomes of a National Survey.

Background/aims: Although endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) and fine needle biopsy (FNB) are widely used for tissue acquisition of pancreatic solid mass, the optimal strategy of this procedure has not been established yet. The aim of this nationwide study was to investigate the current practice patterns of EUS-FNA/FNB for pancreatic solid mass in Korea.

Methods: The Policy-Quality Management of the Korean Pancreatobiliary Association (KPBA) developed a questionnaire containing 22 questions.

Identification of CDK7 Inhibitors from Natural Sources Using Pharmacoinformatics and Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

The cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) plays a crucial role in regulating the cell cycle and RNA polymerase-based transcription. Overexpression of this kinase is linked with various cancers in humans due to its dual involvement in cell development. Furthermore, emerging evidence has revealed that inhibiting CDK7 has anti-cancer effects, driving the development of novel and more cost-effective inhibitors with enhanced selectivity for CDK7 over other CDKs.

Can prophylactic argon plasma coagulation reduce delayed post-papillectomy bleeding? A prospective multicenter trial.

Background And Aim: Endoscopic post-papillectomy bleeding occurs in 3% to 20% of the cases, and delayed bleeding is also problematic. However, there is no consensus on how to reduce delayed post-papillectomy bleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic argon plasma coagulation (APC) to minimize delayed bleeding and reduce the persistence of residual tumors after endoscopic papillectomy.

Predictors of Malignancy in "Pure" Branch-Duct Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas without Enhancing Mural Nodules on CT Imaging: A Nationwide Multicenter Study.

Background/aims: Presence of enhanced mural nodules, which can be visualized using computed tomography (CT), is one of high-risk stigmata in branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs). Conversely, the absence of enhanced mural nodules on preoperative imaging does not exclude malignant risk. The present study aimed to investigate other morphological features as predictors of malignancy in "pure" BD-IPMNs without enhanced mural nodules on CT.

Vigorous Periprocedural Hydration With Lactated Ringer's Solution Reduces the Risk of Pancreatitis After Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Hospitalized Patients.

Background & Aims: Vigorous intravenous fluid resuscitation (IVFR) was reported to reduce post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis in a pilot study. We performed a randomized, double-blind controlled trial to establish whether periprocedural vigorous IVFR reduces the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Methods: A total of 510 patients with native papilla at 3 tertiary referral centers in Korea were randomly assigned (1:1) to groups given vigorous IVFR (lactated Ringer's solution in an initial bolus of 10 mL/kg before the procedure, 3 mL/kg/h during the procedure, for 8 hours after the procedure, and a post-procedure bolus of 10 mL/kg) or a standard IVFR (lactated Ringer's solution at 1.

Predictors of malignancy in pure branch duct type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas: A nationwide multicenter study.

Background/objectives: Prediction of malignancy in patients with BD-IPMNs is critical for the management. The aim of this study was to elucidate predictors of malignancy in patients with 'pure' BD-IPMNs who had a main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter of ≤5 mm according to the most recent international consensus criteria and in whom MPD involvement was excluded on postoperative histology.

Methods: We identified 177 patients with 'pure' BD-IPMNs based on preoperative imaging and postoperative histology from 15 tertiary referral centers in Korea.

Incremental value of cell block preparations over conventional smears alone in the evaluation of EUS-FNA for pancreatic masses.

Background/aims: The effectiveness of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has been established for a definite pathological diagnosis of pancreatic solid masses. We investigated the usefulness of cell block preparations in EUS-FNA, by evaluating the added value of cell block preparations over conventional smears alone.

Methodology: Between March 2011 and June 2013, 61 patients were retrospectively evaluated who underwent EUS-FNA for pancreatic solid masses.

Three cases of Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense infection in Korea.

Until 2012, a total of 48 cases of diphyllobothriasis had been reported in Korea, all of which were morphologically identified as Diphyllobothrium latum. However, some of these specimens were analyzed by nucleotide sequencing of the mitochondrial cox1 gene, which showed that all were D. nihonkaiense, not D.

Differential expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and S100A4 in intestinal type and nonintestinal type ampulla of Vater cancers.

Background/aims: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins may exhibit differential expression in intestinal type or pancreatobiliary type ampulla of Vater carcinomas (AVCs). We evaluated the expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and S100A4 in intestinal and nonintestinal type AVCs and analyzed their relationships with clinicopathological variables and survival.

Methods: A clinicopathological review of 105 patients with AVCs and immunohistochemical staining for E-cadherin, β-catenin, and S100A4 were performed.

Factors predictive of adverse events following endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation: results from a multicenter series.

Background: Lack of established guidelines for endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) may be a reason for aversion of its use in removal of large common bile duct (CBD) stones.

Aims: We sought to identify factors predictive of adverse events (AEs) following EPLBD.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study investigated 946 consecutive patients who underwent attempted removal of CBD stones ≥10 mm in size using EPLBD (balloon size 12-20 mm) with or without endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) at 12 academic medical centers in Korea and Japan.

Is the addition of choleretic agents in multiple double-pigtail biliary stents effective for difficult common bile duct stones in elderly patients? A prospective, multicenter study.

Background: Temporary biliary stenting is both technically easy and feasible, and choleretic agents such as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and a terpene preparation may promote a reduction in stone size. However, there are few comparative data on the effectiveness of choleretic agents available.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of multiple double-pigtail stents with or without UDCA and terpene on difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones.

[The seroprevalence rate, vaccination rate and seroconversion rate of hepatitis A in central region of Korea].

Background/aims: Acute hepatitis A (HAV) is markedly increasing recently on. Some patients with acute hepatitis A show severe clinical course. The seroprevalence rate of IgG anti-HAV has been changing with the regions and the times.

RNA interference mediated knockdown of apolipophorin-III leads to knockdown of manganese superoxide dismutase in Hyphantria cunea.

Apolipophorin-III (apoLp-III), a hemolymph protein that facilitates lipid transport in aqueous media in insects was recently shown to play a role in insect immune activation. Here, we report another novel possible function of apoLp-III in insects. To identify genes affected by apoLp-III expression in larvae, we decreased endogenous apoLp-III mRNA in Hyphantria cunea (Hc) through RNA interference; subsequently, we observed lower levels of antioxidant enzymes, including manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), glutathione S-transferase, and immune proteins.

[Clinical, radiological and pathological exploration of focal nodular hyperplasia of liver reported in Korea].

Background/aims: Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is mandatory to be differentiated from other hepatic tumorous conditions such as hepatocellular carcinoma and adenoma. The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical, radiological and pathological features of FNH cases reported in Korea.

Methods: We have searched the journals from the web site "http://koreamed.

[Down-regulation of survivin in growth inhibition of hepatoma cells induced by a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor].

Background/aims: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors reportedly inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via caspase-dependent or caspase-independent apoptosis, which is due to COX-2 being associated with hepatocarcinogenesis. Survivin is highly expressed in most human cancers, but the mechanism regulating survivin expression remains unclear. We investigated the regulatory expression of survivin in selective-COX-2-inhibitor-induced growth inhibition of hepatoma cells.

Catalase from the white-spotted flower chafer, Protaetia brevitarsis: cDNA sequence, expression, and functional characterization.

Catalase, which is one of the key enzymes of the cellular antioxidant defense system, prevents free hydroxyl radical formation by breaking down hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. Here, we show the cloning and characterization of a catalase gene in a coleopteran insect. This gene was isolated by searching the white-spotted flower chafer Protaetia brevitarsis cDNA library, and the gene itself encodes a protein of 505 amino acids in length, named PbCat.

[A case of severe skin eruption caused by lamivudine in a patient with chronic hepatitis B].

Lamivudine is widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection because of it's remarkable antiviral efficacy and safety. We report a case of severe skin eruption caused by lamivudine. A 47-year-old female was admitted because of jaundice and itching sensation.

Transferrin inhibits stress-induced apoptosis in a beetle.

Transferrin in insects is known as an iron transporter, an antibiotic agent, a vitellogenin, and a juvenile hormone-regulated protein. We show here a novel functional role for insect transferrin. Stresses, such as iron overload, bacterial or fungal challenge, cold or heat shock, wounding, and H2O2 or paraquat exposure, cause upregulation of the beetle Apriona germari transferrin (AgTf) gene in the fat body and epidermis, and they cause increased AgTf protein levels.