Genetic Association Between Polymorphisms in lncRNA and Gastric Cancer Susceptibility.

Genetic variations of long noncoding RNAs are potential biomarkers for gastric cancer (GC). However, reports on the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in antisense noncoding RNA in the INK4 locus () and GC risk are few. This case-control study aimed to evaluate the association between SNPs in , GC risk, and subgroups in a Korean population.

Survey of Perioperative Practices in Gastric Cancer Surgery for Establishing an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program Across 10 Tertiary Hospitals in South Korea.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the current perioperative management practices for gastric cancer surgery in South Korea and develop a consensus-driven Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Materials And Methods: A survey was conducted with 20 principal investigators, comprising one gastric surgeon and one anesthesiologist each, from 10 tertiary hospitals in South Korea who participated in a planned multicenter RCT. The survey included 41 questions regarding ERAS implementation and department-specific perioperative management practices.

Immunomodulatory, anti-synoviocyte, and anti-osteoclastic abilities of embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation, fibroblast-like synoviocyte hyperactivation, and osteoclast-mediated bone destruction. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from adult tissues exhibit therapeutic potential owing to their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties; However, commercialization remains challenging due to limitations in large-scale production with consistent quality. Contrastingly, MSCs derived from embryonic stem cells can be continuously produced and exhibit minimal variation, with high biological and genetic uniformity.

Effects of blue light during and after exposure on auditory working memory.

Introduction: Exposure to short-wavelength light (i.e., blue light) has been shown to enhance cognitive function in humans.

Erratum: Korean Gastric Cancer Association-Led Nationwide Survey on Surgically Treated Gastric Cancers in 2023.

This corrects the article on p. 115 in vol. 25, PMID: 39822171.

Development of ROS-Sensitive Sulfasalazine-Loaded Ferrocene Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Antirheumatic Effects in a 3D Synovial Hyperplasia Model.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation, synovial hyperplasia, and bone and cartilage destruction, which significantly impairs physical function and quality of life. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, such as sulfasalazine (SSZ), are crucial for altering the course and progression of RA; however, their clinical use is hampered by poor water solubility and lack of specificity for the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-rich environment typical of RA. To overcome these challenges, ROS-sensitive SSZ-loaded ferrocene nanoparticles are developed.

The HRAS-binding C2 domain of PLCη2 suppresses tumor-like synoviocytes and experimental arthritis in rheumatoid arthritis.

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs), which are stromal cells that play key roles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathophysiology, are characterized by a tumor-like phenotype and immunostimulatory actions. C2 domains in various proteins play roles in intracellular signaling and altering cellular characteristics, and some C2 domain-containing proteins exacerbate or alleviate certain malignant or inflammatory diseases. However, the roles of C2 domains in regulating the functions of RA FLSs remain unclear.

Korean Gastric Cancer Association-Led Nationwide Survey on Surgically Treated Gastric Cancers in 2023.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023.

Materials And Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form.

RAPO Attenuates Dermal and Pulmonary Fibrosis in a Mouse Model of Systemic Sclerosis through Macrophage Modulation and Growth of Short-Chain Fatty Acid Producers.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease with an unclear etiology and no effective treatments. Recent research has suggested involvement of the microbiome in SSc pathogenesis. This study aimed to identify specific microbial species associated with SSc and explore their therapeutic potential.

Circulatory age-associated B cells: Their distinct transcriptomic characteristics and clinical significance in drug-naïve patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Age-associated B cells (ABCs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. However, the global gene expression and clinical significance of circulatory ABCs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain poorly understood. Here, single-cell RNA sequencing identified nine B cell subsets in peripheral blood of RA patients, including ABCs.

Incidence Trends of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Korea for 11 Years (2006-2017).

Background/objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by joint damage. However, no incidence analyses have been conducted on a Korean population since 2013. We aimed to calculate the incidence of RA and examine trends using complete Korean National Health Insurance Service claims data from 2007.

Novel Asymmetrical Linear Stapler: Safety Test and Pathological Assessment in a Porcine Model.

Introduction: Prognosis in patients undergoing resection for lung and gastrointestinal cancers may differ, depending on the microscopic involvement of surgical margins. Linear staplers, widely used for pulmonary or bowel resection, consist of three rows of fasteners on both sides of a resection line. Although multiple rows of fasteners ensure stump and specimen closure, specimen could compromise accurate pathological evaluation of the true surgical margin.

Efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid for bile reflux after distal gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer: a secondary analysis of the PEGASUS-D randomized clinical trial.

Background: Few studies have been conducted on the prevention of bile reflux in gastric cancer patients who have undergone gastrectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in preventing bile reflux after gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of the PEGASUS-D trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Comparative analysis of superovulated versus uterine-embryo synchronized recipients for embryo transfer in cynomolgus monkeys ().

Introduction: Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer, are essential for generating genetically edited monkeys. Despite their importance, ARTs face challenges in recipient selection in terms of time and the number of animals required. The potential of superovulated monkeys, commonly used as oocyte donors, to serve as surrogate mothers, remains underexplored.

Effect of abatacept versus conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Background/aims: To compare the effects of abatacept and conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) on the progression and development of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD).

Methods: This multi-center retrospective study included RA patients receiving abatacept or csDMARDs who underwent at least two pulmonary function tests and/or chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). We compared the following outcomes between the groups: progression of RA-ILD, development of new ILD in RA patients without ILD at baseline, 28-joint Disease Activity Score with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), and safety.

Machine learning approaches to identify spatial factors and their influential distances for heavy metal contamination in downstream sediment.

Contaminated sediments can adversely affect aquatic ecosystems, making the identification and management of pollutant sources extremely important. In this study, we proposed machine learning approaches to reveal sources and their influential distances for heavy metal contamination of downstream sediment. We employed classification models with artificial neural networks (ANN) and random forest (RF), respectively, to predict the heavy metal contamination of stream sediments using upland environmental variables as input features.

Application of ultrasonographic human estimated foetal weight formulas to cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) at 129-132 days of gestation: A comparative study of estimated and actual birthweight.

Background: Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) are essential in biomedical research, including reproductive studies. However, the application of human estimated foetal weight (EFW) formulas using ultrasonography (USG) in these non-human primates is not well established.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the applicability of human EFW formulas for estimating foetal weight in cynomolgus monkeys at approximately 130 days of gestation.

Real-world effectiveness of a single conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (cDMARD) plus an anti-TNF agent versus multiple cDMARDs in rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective observational study.

Objective: The objective of this prospective, observational multicenter study (NCT03264703) was to compare the effectiveness of single conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (cDMARD) plus anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy versus multiple cDMARD treatments in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) following cDMARD failure in the real-world setting in South Korea.

Methods: At the treating physicians' discretion, patients received single cDMARD plus anti-TNF therapy or multiple cDMARDs. Changes from baseline in disease activity score 28-joint count with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), corticosteroid use, and Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire (KHAQ-20) scores were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Very long-lasting spinal anesthesia with dexmedetomidine: A report of two cases.

Spinal anesthesia usually lasts up to two hours, but an infusion of IV dexmedetomidine can prolong it to three to four hours. We report two cases where single spinal anesthesia with IV dexmedetomidine was maintained for more than six hours during tibia fracture surgery. The spinal anesthesia was maintained for 350 and 390 minutes without another medication, and the sensory level confirmed after the surgery was T10 and L1.

Subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma in a cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis).

Leiomyosarcoma, a malignant tumour originating from smooth muscle cells, has rarely been documented in non-human primates. In this case study, a 7-year-old female cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) presented with a rapidly growing mass overlying the left elbow joint. Radiographs indicated the presence of a soft tissue neoplasm without any associated bone involvement.

Promising Therapeutic Effects of Embryonic Stem Cells-Origin Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis Models: Immunomodulatory and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) involves persistent inflammation and fibrosis, leading to respiratory failure and even death. Adult tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show potential in ILD therapeutics but obtaining an adequate quantity of cells for drug application is difficult. Daewoong Pharmaceutical's MSCs (DW-MSCs) derived from embryonic stem cells sustain a high proliferative capacity following long-term culture and expansion.