Current Therapeutic Strategies in Parkinson's Disease: Future Perspectives.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein. Current treatments, including dopaminergic medications and deep brain stimulation (DBS), provide symptomatic relief but do not halt disease progression. Recent advances in molecular research have enabled the development of disease-modifying strategies targeting key pathogenic mechanisms, such as α-synuclein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and genetic mutations including LRRK2 and GBA1.

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.

Clinical outcomes of neobladder or augmentation after cystectomy in locally advanced colorectal cancer involving urinary tract: case series.

Background: In most cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) with bladder invasion, ileal conduit (urostomy) is commonly performed. However, with increasing survival rates, quality of life becomes a significant concern, making this approach less favorable. Thus, this study aims to investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with CRC who underwent neobladder or augmentation surgery.

Impact of metabolic dysfunction on treatment responses to nucleos(t)ide analogues in chronic hepatitis B: a retrospective multi-center REAL-B cohort study.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction is associated with liver disease but it is unclear if it would impact responses to antiviral treatment in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

Methods: Using data from an international consortium of 4507 treatment-naïve CHB patients who initiated nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) between January 2004 and August 2024 from 32 centers and propensity-score matching (PSM) to balance the background of patients with and without metabolic disease (diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, or hypertension), we compared their biochemical (BR), virologic (VR), and complete (CR) response.

Findings: More than half (54.

Retrograde approach of Angiojet catheter for the acute occlusion of aortoiliac artery stent: A case report.

Background: Aortoiliac artery stenting has been accepted as the preferred option for the treatment of aortoiliac artery disease because of lower morbidity and mortality compared with bypass surgery. However, acute stent occlusion is a troublesome complication due to the need for open surgery or the risk of distal embolization. Herein, we reported a novel approach to treat the acute thrombotic occlusion of an aortoiliac stent using both hemolytic and conventional mechanical thrombectomy coupled with a large diameter sheath.

Molecular Links Between Metabolism and Mental Health: Integrative Pathways from GDF15-Mediated Stress Signaling to Brain Energy Homeostasis.

The relationship between metabolic dysfunction and mental health disorders is complex and has received increasing attention. This review integrates current research to explore how stress-related growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) signaling, ceramides derived from gut microbiota, and mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain interact to influence both metabolic and psychiatric conditions. Evidence suggests that these pathways converge to regulate brain energy homeostasis through feedback mechanisms involving the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Cilostazol/Extract of Ginkgo biloba vs. Aspirin in Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: We conducted a prospective, randomized study to evaluate the combination of cilostazol (CTZ) and extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) and compare it with aspirin for the prevention of atherosclerosis progression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: One hundred five patients with T2DM and increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were randomly assigned to receive either CTZ 200 mg plus EGb 160 mg once daily or aspirin (ASA) 100 mg/day for 12 months. The primary endpoint was the change in maximum carotid IMT.

Top 10 drugs most frequently associated with adverse events of myocarditis and pericarditis.

Myocarditis and pericarditis are managed with various treatments, yet prior studies and case reports indicate that certain drug classes may elevate the risk for these inflammatory cardiac conditions. This research aimed to systematically identify the leading drugs most frequently associated with myocarditis and pericarditis cases. Analyses were carried out using the global database of individual case safety reports from 1968 to 2024.

Reducing the Duration of 24-Hour Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance-pH Monitoring for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux.

Objective: To investigate whether reducing the 24-hour hypopharyngeal-esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (HEMII-pH) monitoring duration can maintain effective diagnostic sensitivity for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

Study Design: Retrospective diagnostic accuracy study.

Setting: Academic center outpatient clinic.

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Severe Asthma With Fungal Sensitization in Korea.

Purpose: Severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) is associated with life-threatening exacerbation and severe airflow limitation. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of fungal sensitization in asthma and clinical characteristics of SAFS.

Methods: This study analyzed data from the Cohort for Reality and Evolution of Adult Asthma in Korea and the Korean Severe Asthma Registry cohorts.

Age-Dependent Role of Genetics and Renal Function for Atrial Fibrillation Development in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background And Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate whether genetic, structural, and clinical factors were associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods: Of the 212 prospectively enrolled patients in the HCM genetic registry, 33 had initial AF, and the remaining 179 (126 males, 58±13 years) were followed up for the development of new-onset AF.

Results: Patients with initial AF had older age, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), lower left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain, higher left atrial volume index (LAVI), and higher LV extracellular volume fraction.

Blocking YAP1-Liprin-β2 interaction impedes metastasis and promotes tumor suppression in head and neck squamous carcinoma.

Our research investigates the role of the YAP1-PPFIBP2 axis in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its subsequent impact on invasion and migration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Utilizing both in vitro assays and genomic analyses, we demonstrate that YAP1 upregulates EMT by suppressing PPFIBP2/liprin-β2 expression. This regulatory pathway contributes to enhanced invasiveness and correlates with poorer prognostic outcomes in HNSCC.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of 0.8-L Versus 2-L Polyethylene Glycol-Ascorbic Acid Solutions in Colonoscopy Preparation: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Background And Aim: High-volume polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions are associated with low patient compliance, whereas low-volume alternatives pose higher risks of adverse events. We compared a new 0.8-L PEG-ascorbic acid solution containing simethicone to a 2-L PEG-ascorbic acid solution.

Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of scabies in Korea: Part 1. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis - a secondary publication.

Scabies is a skin disease caused by the parasite var. , which is primarily transmitted via direct skin or sexual contact or, less commonly, via contact with infested fomites. In Korea, the incidence of scabies has decreased from approximately 50,000 cases per year in 2010 to about 30,000 cases per year in 2021.

Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of scabies in Korea: Part 2. Treatment and prevention - a secondary publication.

Treatment should be initiated for all suspected, clinical, or confirmed cases of scabies. Patients affected should be adequately isolated, and high-risk groups with close contact histories should be treated regardless of their symptoms. Optimal treatment strategies can be selected based on age, clinical subtype, and the patient's health status.

The Association Between Cervical Spine Alignment and Voice Symptoms in Patients With Voice Disorders: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: Although neck posture can influence voice and phonation by affecting laryngeal positioning, muscle tension, and respiratory dynamics, there is a lack of studies evaluating cervical spine status in patients with voice disorders. This study aimed to assess the association between cervical spine alignment, measured using radiographic parameters, and voice assessment in patients with voice disorders.

Methods: Patients with voice disorders who visited an otolaryngology clinic were prospectively enrolled.

Cost-Effectiveness of Antiviral Therapy in Patients With High Viremic Indeterminate Phase Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background & Aims: Growing evidence suggests that chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with high viremia are at a high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) even with normal alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of initiating antiviral therapy in patients in an indeterminate phase of CHB, defined as those who do not clearly fit into the established four phases categorised by serum HBV DNA and ALT levels.

Methods: A cost-utility analysis was conducted using a Markov model to compare the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of initiating antiviral therapy at the indeterminate phase ('treat-Indet') versus delaying treatment until chronic hepatitis ('untreated-Indet').

miRNA centered regulatory networks identify FN1 and miR27b as metastatic drivers in HPV negative head and neck cancer.

The metastasis of human papilloma virus (HPV)-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is associated with poor prognosis, yet the regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we developed a metastasis prediction model using the transcriptomes of 333 HPV-negative HNSC tumor samples, representing one of the largest HPV-negative HNSC sample sets to date. Our model, which leverages miRNA-centered regulatory networks extended by regulome data, showed superior predictive performance with an AUC of 0.

Association of cul-de-sac seeding with intraperitoneal tumor burden in advanced ovarian cancer (CIEL, KGOG 4003).

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between tumor seeding in the cul-de-sac, assessed by transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound, and intraperitoneal tumor burden in advanced ovarian cancer.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 101 patients scheduled for surgery due to suspected or newly diagnosed ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer at three hospitals in Korea (Feb 2022-Dec 2023). Five were excluded for missing ultrasound or surgery, and eleven for benign or other malignancies.