Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Dynamics as Predictors of Clinical Outcomes in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) profoundly disrupts the gut microbiome and metabolome, which in turn influence immune-related complications and patient outcomes. To systematically characterize these perturbations, we performed a longitudinal analysis of fecal microbiota composition and metabolite profiles in HSCT recipients at three critical timepoints: pre-transplant (T1), peri-transplant (T2), and post-transplant (T3). We observed that reduced microbial diversity at T1 and T3 was strongly associated with increased incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), progressive disease (PD), and decreased overall survival (OS).

Postnatal outcomes of referred cases with abnormal ultrasound findings of fetal gall bladder and cyst in the fetal liver.

Objective: To evaluate the postnatal outcomes of referred cases with abnormal findings in the fetal gallbladder (GB) or cysts in the fetal liver.

Methods: This retrospective study included pregnant women referred to a tertiary referral unit, the fetal therapy center at Ulsan Asan Medical Center in Korea, between June 2005 and October 2022. Persistent non-visualization of the fetal gallbladder (NVFGB) was defined as non-visualization at least twice using an ultrasound scan.

Comparative analysis of the tumor microenvironment in primary CNS and testicular large B-cell lymphomas using digital image analysis and its implications for immunotherapy.

Primary large B-cell lymphomas of immune-privileged sites, including primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and primary testicular lymphoma (PTL), exhibit distinct clinicopathologic features contributing to aggressive behavior and immune evasion. While the molecular characteristics of PCNSL and PTL have been extensively studied, the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains insufficiently understood. In particular, no study has directly compared the TME of PCNSL and PTL, highlighting a critical gap in understanding their immunobiology.

[Seoul Consensus on Clinical Practice Guidelines for Functional Constipation].

Chronic constipation is one of the most common digestive diseases encountered in clinical practice. Constipation manifests as a variety of symptoms, such as infrequent bowel movements, hard stools, feeling of incomplete evacuation, straining at defecation, a sense of anorectal blockage during defecation, and use of digital maneuvers to assist defecation. During the diagnosis of chronic constipation, the Bristol Stool Form Scale, colonoscopy, and a digital rectal examination are useful for objective symptom evaluation and differential diagnosis of secondary constipation.

Controlled Release of Microorganisms from Engineered Living Materials.

Probiotics offer therapeutic benefits by modulating the local microbiome, the host immune response, and the proliferation of pathogens. Probiotics have the potential to treat complex diseases, but their persistence or colonization is required at the target site for effective treatment. Although probiotic persistence can be achieved by repeated delivery, no biomaterial that releases clinically relevant doses of metabolically active probiotics in a sustained manner has been previously described.

Novel Autologous Regulatory T-Cell Therapy Ameliorates DSS-Induced Colitis in Humanized Mice.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with a complex immune-mediated pathogenesis. The efficacy of human-specific cellular immunotherapies and biological medications cannot be accurately evaluated using traditional murine IBD models. Therefore, a humanized mouse model of IBD is necessary.

Development and validation of a risk nomogram predicting pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement post-percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy.

Background: Pneumothorax requiring chest tube after CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy presents added clinical risk and costs to the healthcare system. Identifying high-risk patients can prompt alternative biopsy modes and/or better preparation for more focused post-procedural care. We aimed to develop and externally validate a risk nomogram for pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement following CT-guided lung biopsy, leveraging quantitative emphysema algorithm.

Whole heart perfusion with high-multiband Simultaneous Multislice Imaging via Linear phase modulated Extended field of view (SMILE).

Purpose: To develop a simultaneous multislice (SMS) first-pass perfusion technique that can achieve whole heart coverage with high multi-band factors, while avoiding the issue of slice leakage.

Methods: The proposed Simultaneous Multislice Imaging via Linear phase modulated Extended field of view (SMILE) treats the SMS acquisition and reconstruction within an extended field of view framework, allowing arbitrarily under-sampling of phase encoding lines of the extended k-space matrix and enabling the direct application of 2D parallel imaging reconstruction techniques. We presented a theoretical framework that offers insights into the performance of SMILE.

Dehydroacteoside rejuvenates senescence via TVP23C-CDRT4 regulation.

One of the major factors inducing senescence is reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced from dysfunctional mitochondria. Therapeutic strategies that reduce mitochondrial ROS generation are considered essential for rejuvenating senescence, but effective methods have not yet been established. Here, we screened phenylpropanoids (PPs), secondary metabolites produced in response to oxidative stress in plants, and identified dehydroacteoside as a potential candidate.

Epigallocatechin Gallate in Ameliorates Skin Aging by Reducing Mitochondrial ROS Production.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by mitochondrial dysfunction damage cellular organelles and contribute to skin aging. Therefore, strategies to reduce mitochondrial ROS production are considered important for alleviating skin aging, but no effective methods have been identified. In this study, we evaluated substances utilized as cosmetic ingredients and discovered () as a substance that reduces mitochondrial ROS levels.

Analysis of functional brain connectivity in patient with end-stage kidney disease undergoing peritoneal dialysis using functional near infrared spectroscopy.

Introduction: Neurological complications are common in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). However, the mechanisms underlying neurological complications of ESKD are poorly understood. Research on brain connectivity in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) is limited.

Birth weight prediction using artificial intelligence-based placental assessment from macroscopic photo: a retrospective study.

Background: This study aimed to predict newborn birth weight through multifactorial analysis of macroscopic placental images using artificial intelligence (AI).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of singleton pregnant women whose placentas were histopathologically examined at Asan Medical Center from January 2021 to December 2021. A total of 15 placental features were included in the machine learning using four regression analysis methods.

Comparative efficacy of subcutaneous infliximab switching in remission and non-remission patients with inflammatory bowel disease after intravenous maintenance: 1-year outcome from a multicentre cohort study.

Background: Elective switching from intravenous (IV) to subcutaneous (SC) infliximab (IFX) has shown efficacy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, long-term outcomes for patients not in remission remain unclear.

Objectives: We evaluated the effectiveness of SC IFX switching in both remission and non-remission patients.

Elucidating the Role and Mechanism of Alpha-Enolase in Senescent Amelioration via Metabolic Reprogramming.

Senescent cells are characterised by increased glycolysis dependence. Normalisation of glycolysis metabolism is essential for senescence amelioration. However, the mechanism of proteins involved in cellular glycolysis metabolism has not been fully elucidated.

Rapid and Accurate Genotoxicity Assessment Using the Neutral Comet Assay in Cells.

Genotoxins cause significant damage to the genetic material of aquatic organisms, requiring rapid and accurate assessment. Fish-derived cells sensitive to genotoxins have proven to be a useful tool for measuring genotoxicity, but the long treatment times required for measurement limit their application in situations requiring rapid testing. Previous studies have shown that fish cells can be kept unstarved for up to 6 h using media containing 1% FBS.

Artificial intelligence based automatic classification, annotation, and measurement of the fetal heart using HeartAssist.

This study evaluated the feasibility of HeartAssist, a novel automated tool designed for classification of fetal cardiac views, annotation of cardiac structures, and measurement of cardiac parameters. Unlike previous AI tools that primarily focused on classification, HeartAssist integrates classification, annotation and measurement capabilities, enabling a more comprehensive fetal cardiac assessment.Cardiac images from fetuses (gestational ages 20-40 weeks) were collected at Asan Medical Center between January 2016 and October 2018.

Sauchinone Ameliorates Senescence Through Reducing Mitochondrial ROS Production.

One of the major causes of senescence is oxidative stress caused by ROS, which is mainly generated from dysfunctional mitochondria. Strategies to limit mitochondrial ROS production are considered important for reversing senescence, but effective approaches to reduce them have not yet been developed. In this study, we screened the secondary metabolites that plants produce under oxidative stress and discovered sauchinone as a potential candidate.

2025 Seoul Consensus on Clinical Practice Guidelines for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, disabling, and functional bowel disorder that significantly affects social functioning and reduces quality of life and increases social costs. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility published clinical practice guidelines on the management of IBS based on a systematic review of the literature in 2017, and planned to revise these guidelines in light of new evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IBS. The current revised version of the guidelines is consistent with the previous version and targets adults diagnosed with or suspected of having IBS.

Identification of senescence rejuvenation mechanism of extract including honokiol as a core ingredient.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to aging by mainly damaging cellular organelles and DNA. Although strategies to reduce ROS production have been proposed as important components of anti-aging therapy, effective mechanisms to lower ROS levels have not yet been identified. Here, we screened natural compounds frequently used as cosmetic ingredients to find substances that reduce ROS levels.

Characteristics of Patients With the Arrhythmogenic Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome and Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Sustained Ventricular Arrhythmias.

Background: Patients with arrhythmogenic mitral valve prolapse syndrome are at increased risk for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, but studies have been limited by small sample sizes. We sought to assemble an international arrhythmogenic mitral valve prolapse syndrome registry to delineate the clinical, imaging, and treatment characteristics of patients with arrhythmogenic mitral valve prolapse syndrome who survived sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or had sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation.

Methods: In this descriptive registry, we characterized patients with arrhythmogenic mitral valve prolapse syndrome who survived SCA, sustained VT, or ventricular fibrillation.

Comparison of 1-Year Clinical Course in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease Between Vietnam and Korea: A Multinational, Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background/aims: The differences in the clinical course of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) among Asian countries remain unknown. Thus, we compared the clinical characteristics, treatment, and one-year outcomes of newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients between Vietnam and Korea.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at seven tertiary hospitals in these countries between January 2020 and January 2021.

Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance recommendations toward environmentally sustainable cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Delivery of health care, including medical imaging, generates substantial global greenhouse gas emissions. The cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) community has an opportunity to decrease our carbon footprint, mitigate the effects of the climate crisis, and develop resiliency to current and future impacts of climate change. The goal of this document is to review and recommend actions and strategies to allow for CMR operation with improved sustainability, including efficient CMR protocols and CMR imaging workflow strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy, and waste, and to decrease reliance on finite resources, including helium and waterbody contamination by gadolinium-based contrast agents.

Frequency and Risk Factors of Advanced Neoplasia in Korean Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients with Low-grade Dysplasia.

Background/aims: Studies on the clinical outcomes after detecting low-grade dysplasia (LGD) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are insufficient. This study evaluated the clinical features, frequency, and risk factors for advanced neoplasia in patients with IBD after an LGD diagnosis.

Methods: The medical records of 166 patients with IBD from six university hospitals in Korea from 2010 to 2019 were reviewed retrospectively.

MRI-assessed Dynamic Hyperinflation Induced by Tachypnea in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The SPIROMICS-HF Study.

Purpose To assess the repeatability of real-time cine pulmonary MRI measures of metronome-paced tachypnea (MPT)-induced dynamic hyperinflation and its relationship with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) severity. Materials and Methods SubPopulations and InteRmediate Outcome Measures In COPD Study (SPIROMICS) (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier no.