Clostridioides difficile Infection in Patients Undergoing Acid-Suppressive Treatment: A Large Cohort Study with Propensity Score Matching.

Introduction: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a significant concern in patients undergoing acid-suppressive therapy. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the risk of CDI in patients treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), and potassium-competitive acid blockers (tegoprazan).

Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study evaluated 606,460 individuals who were prescribed PPIs, H2RAs, or tegoprazan for more than 7 days, resulting in 22,431 matched individuals after propensity score matching.

Clinical Relevance of Gastric Emptying Time in Functional Dyspepsia.

Background/aims: This study evaluates the clinical significance of the gastric emptying time (GET) in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD).

Methods: This retrospective study included 89 patients who visited the clinic with indigestion between 2021 and 2022. FD was diagnosed and categorized into 3 subtypes: postprandial distress syndrome, epigastric pain syndrome, and overlap type, following the Rome IV criteria.

Potential Unnecessity of Bismuth in Standard Triple Therapy for Clarithromycin-Susceptible Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Objectives: The standard first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection typically involves proton pump inhibitors, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin (PAC), yet the eradication success rates are not entirely satisfactory. Recognizing bismuth's antibacterial properties and its potential to enhance antibiotic efficacy, this study compared the eradication success rates of a 7-day course of PAC with bismuth (PACB) versus PAC alone in patients with clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori infections.

Isopimpinellin inhibits UVA-induced overproduction of MMPs via suppression of MAPK/AP-1 signaling in human dermal fibroblasts.

is an edible halophyte and an ingredient in traditional Korean medicine. In the present study, isopimpinellin (IPN), a bioactive coumarin, was isolated from the medicinal halophyte , and the effects of IPN against UVA-induced photoaging were investigated in human dermal fibroblasts. Photoaging is a skin disorder that manifests itself as premature skin aging due to chronic exposure to UV radiation.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-adipogenesis activities and proximate composition of larvae reared on food waste enriched with different wastes.

The use of insects as a food source is not a new idea, but it has gained momentum in recent years due to the need for sustainable protein source in livestock feedstuffs and for more environmentally friendly organic waste treatment. In the case of black soldier fly larvae, , research has focused on their ability to convert organic waste into usable nutrients and their potential as a protein source for animal and human consumption. In this study, black soldier fly larvae were reared on raw food waste (FW) mixed with garlic peel waste (G) and hydronic growth media waste (H) and the proximate composition and bioactive potential of black soldier fly larvae extract (SFL) were compared.

Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled Phase 3 Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Zastaprazan Compared With Esomeprazole in Erosive Esophagitis.

Introduction: Zastaprazan is a potent potassium-competitive acid blocker developed to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zastaprazan compared with esomeprazole in patient with erosive esophagitis (EE).

Methods: A phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, noninferiority clinical study was conducted with 300 subjects with confirmed EE.

Characteristics and trends of pediatric trauma on Jeju Island, Korea: a community-level serial cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and epidemiological trends of pediatric injuries among patients visiting emergency departments on Jeju Island, Korea.

Methods: Using a community-level serial cross-sectional analysis, we targeted pediatric patients 18 years or younger who visited emergency departments for injuries over a 10-year period. A comprehensive examination of injury characteristics and epidemiological trends was performed using the data sourced from the Jeju Injury Surveillance System.

Bismuth-Based Quadruple Therapy as First-Line Treatment for Clarithromycin-Resistant Infection: A Prospective Randomized Comparison of 7- and 14-Day Treatment Regimens.

Background/aims: : Bismuth-based quadruple therapy (BQT) is a treatment option for clarithromycin-resistant (HP) infection. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of 7-day BQT with that of 14-day BQT as first-line treatment for clarithromycin-resistant HP infection.

Methods: : A total of 162 treatment-naïve patients with peptic ulcer disease and clarithromycin-resistant HP infection confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were enrolled.

Masculinity, Rather Than Biological Sex, Is Associated With Psychological Comorbidities in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Background/aims: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) generally shows sex differences, and psychiatric comorbidities play an important role in its pathogenesis. We aim to measure the levels of gender roles and investigate their relationship with psychiatric factors in patients with IBS versus healthy controls.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with IBS by Rome III and whose colonoscopy findings were normal were enrolled at multiple sites in Korea.

Inhibitory Effects of Sesquiterpenoids Isolated from on Adipogenic Differentiation of 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes.

Obesity and related complications are significant health issues in modern society, largely attributed to a sedentary lifestyle and a carbohydrate-rich diet. Since anti-obesity drugs often come with severe side effects, preventative measures are being sought globally, including dietary changes and functional foods that can counteract weight gain. In this context, plant-based metabolites are extensively studied for their advantageous biological effects against obesity.

Clinical Trial: Efficacy of Mosapride Controlled-release and Nortriptyline in Patients With Functional Dyspepsia: A Multicenter, Double-placebo, Double-blinded, Randomized Controlled, Parallel Clinical Study.

Background/aims: Prokinetic agents and neuromodulators are among the treatment options for functional dyspepsia (FD), but their comparative efficacy is unclear. We aimed to compare the efficacy of mosapride controlled-release (CR) and nortriptyline in patients with FD after 4 weeks of treatment.

Methods: Participants with FD were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive mosapride CR (mosapride CR 15 mg and nortriptyline placebo) or nortriptyline (mosapride CR placebo and nortriptyline 10 mg) in double-placebo, double-blinded, randomized controlled, parallel clinical study.

On-demand Versus Continuous Maintenance Treatment With a Proton Pump Inhibitor for Mild Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Study.

Background/aims: It remains unclear which maintenance treatment modality is most appropriate for mild gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We aimed to compare on-demand treatment with continuous treatment using a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in the maintenance treatment for patients with non-erosive GERD or mild erosive esophagitis.

Methods: Patients whose GERD symptoms improved after 4 weeks of standard dose PPI treatment were prospectively enrolled at 25 hospitals.

Dietary flavonoid myricetin 3--galactoside suppresses α-melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells by regulating PKA and ERK1/2 activation.

Melanogenesis is the process where skin pigment melanin is produced through tyrosinase activity. Overproduction of melanin causes skin disorders such as freckles, spots, and hyperpigmentation. Myricetin 3--galactoside (M3G) is a dietary flavonoid with reported bioactivities.

Effects of the Timing of Carbohydrate Intake on Metabolism and Performance in Soccer Players.

This study aims to provide information to improve the performance of athletes comparing the effects of carbohydrate-electrolyte intake before and during exercise on metabolism and performance in soccer players. The study had a single-blind cross-over design. Drust's protocol is a soccer-specific intermittent exercise test.

Effect of Eradication on Body Weight: A Multicenter Propensity Score-matched Analysis in Korea.

Background/aims: There is growing interest in whether eradication (HPE) can affect body weight.

Methods: Data from 5 universities between January 2013 and December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. -positive subjects who had body weight measurements taken at least twice at intervals of 3 months or longer were included.

[Eradication of Infection Using 7-day PCR-based Tailored Therapy].

Background/aims: Standard triple therapy (STT; proton pump inhibitor [PPI]+clarithromycin+amoxicillin) used for eradication has shown low treatment success rates in recent years, which is most likely attributable to increased clarithromycin resistance. In this study, we compared treatment success rates of tailored therapy (TT) using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and empirical STT.

Methods: This retrospective study included 650 patients with infection, who visited Eunpyeong St.

[Endoscopic Findings of Common Gastritis in Koreans].

In 2013, the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society introduced the Kyoto classification of gastritis, which is useful to predict infection based exclusively on endoscopic findings. Based on the Kyoto classification of gastritis, gastric mucosal atrophy, endoscopic intestinal metaplasia, hypertrophic gastric folds, nodularity, and diffuse redness may be associated with gastric cancer and infection, which are common endoscopic findings in Koreans. Atrophy and intestinal metaplasia are associated with gastric cancer and therefore require attention.

Quercetin 3--Galactoside Isolated from Inhibits Melanogenesis by Regulating PKA/MITF Signaling and ERK Activation.

Quercetin 3--galactoside (Q3G) is a common dietary flavanol that has been shown to possess several bioactivities, including anti-melanogenesis. However, how Q3G exerts its anti-melanogenic effect has not been studied. The current study, therefore aimed to investigate the anti-melanogenesis potential of Q3G and elucidate the underlying action mechanism in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (-MSH)-induced hyperpigmentation model of B16F10 murine melanoma cells.

Evaluation and Comparison of the Antimelanogenic Properties of Different Solvent Fractionated Extracts in B16F10 Murine Melanoma Cells.

is a biennial halophyte found in the salt marshes and shores of Korea and widely used in traditional Korean medicine as an ingredient. This study investigated and compared the antimelanogenic effect of solventpartitioned fractions of extract (CJEFs) in a B16F10 mouse melanoma cell model, focusing on tyrosinase activity and production. Melanogenesis is the process in which skin pigment melanin is produced through tyrosinase activity.

All-Natural Moss-Based Microstructural Composites in Deformable Form for Use as Graffiti and Artificial-Porous-Material Replacement.

Although artificial porous materials are useful for dissipating acoustic waves, they pose a major environmental threat as most are non-recyclable. Developing sustainable structural materials with the mechanical and energy-absorption properties required to replace artificial porous materials is currently a key challenge. Here, we report, for the first time, a novel microstructure using all-natural moss with a compressive strength of up to 2.