Comparative outcomes of excision and active surveillance for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 in women under 35: a single institutional retrospective study.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of excision (conization) and active surveillance in women under 35 years of age diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 (CIN 2) on disease regression to normal cervical cytology and the effectiveness of nonsurgical management.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at OOO. Women under 35 diagnosed with CIN 2 were included and divided into two groups based on the management strategy: excisional treatment or active surveillance.

Urinary mRNA biomarkers for the noninvasive diagnosis of calcineurin inhibitor toxicity in kidney transplant recipients with graft dysfunction.

Background: Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) toxicity is a significant cause of graft dysfunction in kidney transplant recipients, yet distinguishing it from acute rejection (AR) and acute tubular necrosis (ATN) remains challenging. This study investigated the use of urinary mRNA biomarkers as a noninvasive tool for identifying CNI toxicity.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 110 kidney transplant recipients and classified them into four groups based on pathological findings: stable graft function (n=35), CNI toxicity (n=25), AR (n=30), and ATN (n=20).

Needs analysis of leadership education based on the medical leadership competency framework in Korean medical schools.

Purpose: Leadership in healthcare is vital, but it remains fragmented within medical school curricula. It is often confined to isolated courses lacking cohesive integration. Using the Medical Leadership Competency Framework (MLCF), this study examines leadership curricula and competencies in Korean medical schools, providing a foundation for educational strategies that enhance leadership development.

Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin attenuates intestinal fibrosis by modulating TGF-β/MAPK signaling and ECM remodeling.

Background: Intestinal fibrosis is a severe and progressive complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease (CD), for which no effective anti-fibrotic therapies currently exist.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the anti-fibrotic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin (POG), a natural chromone derivative, in TGF-β1-stimulated human intestinal fibroblasts.

Methods: Fibrosis was modeled in human intestinal fibroblast cell lines (CCD-18Co) and human primary intestinal myofibroblasts (HIMF) using TGF-β1.

Quality Matters: Effect of High-Quality Early Palliative Care in Advanced Cancer.

Context: Early palliative care (EPC) is an integral treatment for advanced cancer patients, improving quality of life and symptom management, but the impact of its quality on outcomes is less understood.

Objectives: This study aimed to quantify the quality of EPC and analyze its longitudinal association with depression levels, quality of life (QoL), patient survival, and self-management strategies in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: This secondary analysis included 144 advanced cancer patients from a randomized controlled trial in South Korea.

Recommendation for use of a long-acting monoclonal antibody to prevent respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants and young children.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in infants and young children. In April 2024, the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved nirsevimab (Beyfortus), a long-acting monoclonal antibody, as a passive immunization to prevent RSV-associated LRTI among infants and young children. Nirsevimab was launched in Korea in February 2025.

Target volume delineation of the neck for radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: CSTRO, CACA, CSCO, HNCIG, ESTRO, and ASTRO guidelines and contouring atlas.

The Chinese Society for Therapeutic Radiology Oncology, the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology, the Head and Neck Cancer International Group, the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, and the American Society for Radiation Oncology collaboratively developed evidence-based guidelines and a comprehensive contouring atlas for neck target volume delineation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. These guidelines address five key challenges in modern radiotherapy practice: margin design of clinical target volume; nodal target volume delineation after induction chemotherapy; delineation of equivocal nodes evident on imaging; low-risk clinical target volume delineation based on regional stepwise extension patterns; and modifications for anatomical boundaries of lymphatic areas. Developed through a rigorous systematic review and expert appraisal process by a panel of 50 international, multidisciplinary members from 17 countries and regions, these guidelines incorporate the latest advances in nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis and treatment.

Primary target volume delineation for radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: CSTRO, CACA, CSCO, HNCIG, ESTRO, and ASTRO guidelines and contouring atlas.

The Chinese Society for Therapeutic Radiology Oncology, the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology, Head and Neck Cancer International Group, the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, and the American Society for Radiation Oncology jointly developed evidence-based guidelines and a contouring atlas for primary target volume delineation for radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The guidelines systematically address three crucial challenges: margin design of clinical target volumes; target volume delineation after induction chemotherapy; and low-risk clinical target volume delineation based on local stepwise extension patterns. Based on a comprehensive systematic review and critical appraisal by an international multidisciplinary panel of 50 nasopharyngeal carcinoma specialists from 17 countries and regions, these guidelines are in keeping with advances in nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis and treatment, embodying contemporary treatment concepts, and elaborating on the differences in practice.

Characteristics and management of mechanically ventilated patients in South Korea compared with other high-income Asian countries and regions.

Background: This study investigated the characteristics of mechanically ventilated patients in South Korean intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: We conducted a subgroup analysis of a multinational observational study. Data from 271 mechanically ventilated patients in South Korean ICUs were analyzed for demographics, ventilation practices, and mortality, and were compared with those of 327 patients from other high-income Asian countries.

Frailty in Patients With Parkinson's Disease in Community and Clinical Settings: A Scoping Review.

Background: Frailty and Parkinson's disease share overlapping clinical features, making it challenging to distinguish between the two. Therefore, it is important to understand the characteristics of frailty in people with Parkinson's disease (PwP) to prevent the progression of frailty.

Aims: We sought to understand existing evidence on frailty in PwP.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Serological Tests for Infections in Children with Pneumonia, Based on Symptom Onset.

Background: is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children, with a rising incidence of macrolide resistance. Early diagnosis is crucial for reducing the disease burden; however, current diagnostic tools have limitations. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of serological assays and their performance based on symptom onset in children with CAP.

Correction: Exercise preconditioning alleviates photothrombotic ischemic stroke in mice by orchestrating neutrophils.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2025.

Changes in antiviral treatment rate for hepatitis B virus before hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis: a nationwide Korean study.

Background And Aims: Antiviral treatment (AVT) reduces hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation and hepatocsellular carcinoma (HCC) development; however, the impact of AVT timing - before versus after HCC diagnosis - on prognosis remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the current status, changes, and clinical outcomes of AVT before HCC diagnosis in Korea.

Methods: Data were extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance Service for patients newly diagnosed with HBV-related HCC from 2008 to 2018.

Weight-independent amelioration of adipokine profile by enavogliflozin, a selective SGLT2 inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background And Objective: The metabolic benefits of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in clinical application are well established; however, there is dearth of knowledge on their impact on adipokine regulation. This study investigated the effect of enavogliflozin on adiponectin and leptin in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: This secondary analysis of a phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated changes in serum adiponectin and leptin over 24 weeks.

Long-Term Anticoagulation Discontinuation After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: The ALONE-AF Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Data from randomized clinical trials on a long-term anticoagulation strategy for patients after catheter-based ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) are lacking.

Objective: To evaluate whether discontinuing oral anticoagulant therapy provides superior clinical outcomes compared with continuing oral anticoagulant therapy in patients without documented atrial arrhythmia recurrence after catheter ablation for AF.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A randomized clinical trial including 840 adult patients (aged 19-80 years) who were enrolled and randomized from July 28, 2020, to March 9, 2023, at 18 hospitals in South Korea.

The optimal lookback period for estimating incidence and temporal trends in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Accurate measurement of atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence using secondary data is challenging due to variation in lookback period definitions used to distinguish incident from prevalent cases. As the choice of lookback period critically influences incidence estimates, establishing an appropriate duration is essential for sustained surveillance of AF trends.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify a reproducible definition of the lookback period and analyze trends in the incidence rate and prevalence of AF in Korea.

Comparison of the clinical outcomes between conventional intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and PIEZO-ICSI in women undergoing the first cycle of in-vitro fertilization.

The effectiveness of PIEZO-ICSI (P-ICSI) compared to conventional ICSI (C-ICSI) is still controversial. The only confirmed effectiveness of P-ICSI compared to C-ICSI is that it can reduce the number of degenerated oocytes after ICSI. This study included 100 patients undergoing their first IVF cycle.

Temporal modulation of antiplatelet therapy in high-risk patients undergoing complex percutaneous coronary intervention: the TAILORED-CHIP randomized clinical trial.

Background And Aims: Limited data exist on optimal antiplatelet strategies for high-risk patients undergoing complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of tailored antiplatelet treatment with temporal modulation of the intensity of platelet inhibition in patients undergoing complex high-risk PCI.

Methods: We randomly assigned 2018 patients with high-risk anatomical or clinical characteristics undergoing complex PCI to a tailored antiplatelet strategy with early escalation (low-dose ticagrelor at 60 mg twice daily plus aspirin <6 months) and late de-escalation (clopidogrel monotherapy >6 months) or dual antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel plus aspirin for 12 months).

Generation of human induced pluripotent stem cell lines from healthy Korean donors (IPBi101-A, IPBi102-A, IPBi103-A, IPBi105-A, IPBi107-A, IPBi108-A, IPBi110-A, IPBi111-A, IPBi113-A, and IPBi114-A).

Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines were derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from ten healthy Korean donors of diverse ages and genders using a Sendai virus-based reprogramming method. These iPSC lines expressed markers of undifferentiated state and demonstrated trilineage differentiation potential in vitro. Characterization confirmed normal karyotypes, clearance of the Sendai virus, and short tandem repeat (STR) profiles identical to the parental PBMCs.

Neural correlates of interoceptive fear in panic disorder: Abnormalities of gray matter volumes in the inferior parietal lobule and insula.

Background: Panic disorder (PD) may emerge from an exaggerated misinterpretation of interoception due to somatic hypervigilance and interoceptive sensitivity, which play pivotal roles in anxiety-related traits. This study sought to identify the neural correlates of interoceptive fear and their relationship with clinical symptomatology and physical functionality in patients with PD relative to healthy controls (HCs) employing brain structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: This study enrolled 226 right-handed participants comprising 133 PD patients and 93 HCs.

Use of Double Cages for Biportal Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Comparison of 3-Dimensional-Printed Titanium and Polyetheretherketone Cages.

Background: This study aimed to compare a 3-dimensional (3D)-printed titanium cage with a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage in biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (BETLIF) using a double cage construct, evaluate differences in fusion stability and subsidence between the 2 cage types, and analyze factors influencing subsidence.

Methods: We retrospectively examined 89 patients who underwent BETLIF using a double cage (3D-printed titanium, 48 levels; PEEK, 46 levels). Fusion status and subsidence were assessed using dynamic plain lateral lumbar spine radiographs and computed tomography images at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively.

Age-Specific Characteristics and Malignancy Risk of Ovarian Teratomas: A Retrospective Single-Centre Study.

The aim of this study was to determine the age-specific characteristics of ovarian teratoma and associated malignancies. This retrospective single-centre cohort study included 2181 women with ovarian teratoma who underwent surgery at our institution between January 2008 and April 2019. Malignancies associated with ovarian teratoma were divided into immature teratoma, combined ovarian malignancy, and malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma.

Recent Changes in Trends of Nationwide Incidence of Glaucoma and Associated Visual Impairment in South Korea.

We analyzed recent changes in the incidence of glaucoma and associated visual impairment (VI) in Korea over a 16-year period. We utilized nationwide, longitudinal cohort data from the Korea National Health Insurance System (KNHIS) National Health Screening Cohort from 2004 to 2019 to evaluate the age-standardized incidence rate (SIR) of glaucoma and glaucoma-related VI. VI was determined based on KNHIS health examinations and the National Registry for Visual Disability.

Clinical Investigation of Recurrence, Oncological, and Obstetrical Outcomes in Patients with Ovarian Atypical Endometriosis.

: The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of postoperative in vitro fertilization (IVF) for atypical endometriosis (AE) in terms of ovarian endometrioma recurrence and development of endometriosis-related ovarian cancer (EAOC). : Premenopausal women with AE who had undergone ovarian surgery between 2008 and 2022 and had attended follow-up appointments for at least 3 months were included in this retrospective study. The recurrence of endometriosis, postoperative pregnancy rate, occurrence of postoperative EAOC in cases of AE, and independent risk factors of AE recurrence were analyzed.