Development of a Prediction Model for Acute Exacerbation in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Study of the Korea IPF Cohort Registry.

Background: Acute exacerbation (AE) of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has the most disastrous impact on prognosis as a major cause of morbidity and mortality. However, there is no proven treatment, and the occurrence of AE is unpredictable. This study aimed to develop a prediction model for AE in patients with IPF using the nationwide Korea IPF Cohort (KICO) registry.

Cannabigerol attenuates liver fibrosis via AMPK activation: Regulation of lipid metabolism, inflammation, and hepatic stellate cell activation.

Liver fibrosis, driven by lipid dysregulation and chronic inflammation, remains a major global health burden with limited therapeutic options. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of cannabigerol (CBG), a minor non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid, in mitigating hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation. In hepatocytes exposed to palmitic and oleic acids (PA/OA), CBG significantly reduced lipid accumulation by suppressing lipogenesis and enhancing lipophagy.

Enhancing Brain Metastases Detection and Segmentation in Black-Blood MRI Using Deep Learning and Segment Anything Model (SAM).

Purpose: Black-blood (BB) magnetic resonance images (MRI) offer superior image contrast for the detection and segmentation of brain metastases (BMs). This study investigated the efficacy and accuracy of deep learning (DL) architectures and post-processing for BMs detection and segmentation with BB images.

Materials And Methods: The BB images of 50 patients were collect to train (40) and test (10) the DL model.

Clinical and radiological characteristics of novel subtypes of end-stage knee osteoarthritis based on joint space loss patterns in standing extended view and fixed flexion view.

Background: This study aimed to classify end-stage knee osteoarthritis (KOA) based on the pattern of joint space loss in standing extended view (SEV) and fixed flexion view (FFV) and to investigate clinical and radiological differences.

Methods: A total of 459 knees from 300 patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 4 KOA were retrospectively analyzed. The knees were divided into three groups based on the pattern of joint space loss in SEV and FFV: group 1 (all loss) with joint space loss in both SEV and FFV, group 2 (flexion loss) with joint space loss only in FFV, and group 3 (extension loss) with joint space loss only in SEV.

The value of MRI and flexible sigmoidoscopy in detecting tumor regrowth in watch and wait rectal cancer patients undergoing active surveillance after total neoadjuvant therapy.

Aim: Patients with locally advanced rectal cancer may avoid surgery if they develop a clinical complete response (cCR) to total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT). During surveillance, detection of local regrowth can be challenging. The ability of MRI to predict local regrowth is uncertain, especially when it differs from endoscopic findings.

Clinical impacts of COVID-19 on severe exacerbation and mortality in interstitial lung disease: prognosis 30 days after infection.

Background/aims: The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on severe exacerbation and mortality in interstitial lung disease (ILD) is unclear. In this study, we evaluate the risk of severe exacerbation and mortality in individuals with ILD following COVID-19.

Methods: Using the Korean National Health Insurance claim-based database, we compared the incidence and risk of severe exacerbation and mortality in individuals with ILD who survived at least one month after COVID-19 (COVID-19 cohort, n = 359) and 1:3 age, sex, and body mass index-matched individuals with ILD who did not have COVID-19 (controls, n = 1,077) between October 8, 2020, and August 30, 2021.

Infections in foot and ankle bone surgery: Comparison between single- and multiday use of postoperative oral antibiotics.

To date, no consensus has been reached regarding the efficacy or duration of postoperative oral antibiotics after foot and ankle surgery. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of single- and multiday prophylactic use of postoperative oral antibiotics in foot and ankle bone surgery using inflammatory biomarkers. In total, 64 patients who underwent foot and ankle bone surgery at our institution were divided into multiday (n = 43) and single-day (n = 21) postoperative oral antibiotics groups.

Galectin-4 potentiates CD8+ T cell immunity by enhancing MHC-I expression on dendritic cells.

Galectin-4 (Gal-4), a member of the β-galactoside-binding galectin family, plays a role in various physiological processes, including tumor progression and intestinal disorders. However, its contribution to adaptive immunity remains poorly understood. In this study, Gal-4 is identified as a critical factor for effective generation of CD8+ T cell responses against tumors and viral infections.

Development of a New Diagnostic Tool (LUTS/BPH Score) for Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Purpose: To develop a new diagnostic tool, the LUTS/BPH score, for male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which integrates the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), prostate size, and urinary flow rate.

Materials And Methods: From an initial pool of 75,199 subjects, 12,891 patients met the inclusion criteria. For the statistical analysis used to develop the new LUTS/BPH score, data were refined through outlier removal, normalization, and the collection of relevant variables.

β-adrenergic signaling modulates breast cancer cell mechanical behaviors through a RhoA-ROCK-myosin II axis.

The ability of cancer cells to deform and generate force is implicated in metastasis. We previously showed that β-adrenergic agonists increase cancer cell stiffness, which was associated with enhanced motility and invasion. Here, we investigate how β-adrenoceptor (βAR) activation alters the mechanical behaviors of triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Radiation-Associated Heart Disease in Korean Women after Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer: Insights from the National Health Insurance Service Database.

Purpose: This study investigated the risk of radiation-associated heart disease (RAHD) in Korean women treated with radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer (BC) using data from the National Health Insurance Service database.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 65,188 patients with BC treated with RT between 2009 and 2014 and 325,940 controls without BC or prior coronary artery disease (CAD), with 1:5 exact matching by age, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia status. CAD encompassed both incident events and fatal events.

Reflected Inline Detection in Epi Oblique Plane Microscopy.

Epi oblique illumination selective plane microscopy (EOPM) facilitates open-top, straightforward sample mounting, enabling high-resolution and high-speed imaging without perturbing biological specimens. However, current EOPM systems typically require three separate microscopes equipped with specialized objectives. This configuration leads to complex and costly setups, significant long-term drift during imaging, reduced numerical aperture, and limited flexibility in adjusting the illumination tilt angle.

CT and MRI features of Catenin Beta 1-mutated hepatocellular carcinoma in a Western cohort.

Objectives: Various mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) carry prognostic implications. The objective of this study is to assess CT and MRI imaging features associated with Catenin Beta-1 (CTNNB1) mutation in HCC.

Methods: This retrospective, IRB- approved multi-reader, single-center study included treatment-naive, pathologic-proven HCC that underwent contrast-enhanced CT, MRI or both, with subsequent targeted tumor sequencing test.

Clinical characteristic of patients with COPD-A.

Background: The 2023 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) document proposed the COPD-A subtype as a condition of COPD with asthma. We examined the characteristics of COPD-A patients and analyzed them according to smoking history and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use.

Methods: Patients in the COPD cohort with a history of asthma were included.

Clinical Significance of Hyperhomocysteinemia in Free Flap Failure: A Case Report.

Failure of a microvascular free flap remains rare, yet multiple failures can occur, particularly in the presence of hypercoagulable conditions. This case series highlights our experience with a rare hypercoagulable state: hyperhomocysteinemia. We present two cases of patients with hyperhomocysteinemia in this report.

Accuracy of Post-Neoadjuvant Therapy MRI for the Assessment of Anal Sphincter Involvement in Patients with Rectal Cancer.

Purpose To assess the accuracy of post-neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) MRI, as compared with that of pathologic evaluation, to determine anal sphincter involvement in patients with rectal cancer. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with rectal cancer between January 2015 and December 2017 whose baseline MRI showed anal sphincter involvement and who then underwent NAT, post-NAT MRI, and abdominoperineal resection. Four radiologists (with 20 years, 5 years, 2 years, and 1 year of experience) independently reviewed MRI findings.

Nonoperative Management of Mismatch Repair-Deficient Tumors.

Background: Among patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR), locally advanced rectal cancer, neoadjuvant checkpoint blockade eliminated the need for surgery in a high proportion of patients. Whether this approach can be extended to all early-stage dMMR solid tumors, regardless of tumor site, is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a phase 2 study in which patients with stage I, II, or III dMMR solid tumors that were amenable to curative-intent surgery were treated with neoadjuvant dostarlimab, a programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) blocking agent, for 6 months.

Abnormal Brain Functional Connectivity in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Correlations with Clinical and Cognitive Parameters.

Background: Cognitive impairment is a major comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate brain functional connectivity (FC) abnormalities in patients with COPD and explored the correlation between abnormal FC and COPD-related clinical parameters.

Methods: Forty-one patients with COPD, without a definite diagnosis of cognitive impairment or depression, and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited.

Radiographic Changes in Bone Levels Around Sandblasted and Acid-Etched Titanium Implants at the 5-Year Follow-Up: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the 5-year radiographic bone loss surrounding implants treated with surface sandblasting and acid etching (SA).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at a private clinic in Los Angeles, CA, USA, and included 100 patients with a total of 188 implants with an SA surface treatment. Five years after implantation, the patients were radiographically evaluated for bone loss adjacent to the implants.

High cellular prion protein expression in cholangiocarcinoma: A marker for early postoperative recurrence and unfavorable prognosis.

Background: The cellular prion protein (PrP), traditionally associated with neurodegenerative disorders, plays an important role in cancer progression and metastasis by inhibiting apoptosis.

Aim: To investigate the influence of PrP expression in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) on patient outcomes following surgical resection.

Methods: Patients who underwent curative surgical resection for either intrahepatic or hilar CCA were enrolled in this retrospective study.

Functional Lower Limb Salvage.

Learning Objectives: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Explain the basic concept of functional limb salvage. 2.

Histologic Comparison of Ultrafine Diced Cartilage and Conventionally Diced Cartilage Wrapped in Fascia in a Rabbit Model.

Background: Ultrafine dicing, which reduces cartilage particles to less than 0.2 mm, has gained attention for producing dense implants with reduced distortion. However, concerns about long-term viability and cell damage because of extensive manipulation remain.

Spatially controlled multicellular differentiation of stem cells using triple factor-releasing metal-organic framework-coated nanoline arrays.

Improved in vitro models are needed for regenerative therapy and drug screening. Here, we report on functionally aligned nanoparticle-trapped nanopattern arrays for spatially controlled, precise mesenchymal stem cell differentiation on a single substrate. The arrays comprise nanohole and nanoline arrays fabricated through interference lithography and selectively capture of UiO-67 metal-organic frameworks on nanoline arrays with a 99.

Aetiology of chronic liver disease is a valuable factor for stratifying adverse outcomes of acute decompensation: prospective observational study.

Background/aims: Acute decompensation (AD) is defined as the development of complications related to portal hypertension and liver dysfunction that affect the progression of chronic liver disease (CLD) or liver cirrhosis (LC). Variations exist in patient demographics and prognostic outcomes of AD based on the aetiology of CLD, encompassing LC. However, limited research has been conducted to analyse these discrepancies across aetiologies.