Intimate partner domestic violence exposure and the onset of hazardous alcohol use: A population-based longitudinal study of married adults in South Korea (2009-2024).

Background: Intimate partner domestic violence (IPDV) is a global health concern. We explored the association between IPDV and the subsequent onset of hazardous alcohol use among married men and women.

Methods: A total of 13,277 married adults were included in the analysis, with annual repeated measurements from 2009 to 2024, totaling 103,825 observations.

EXPRESS: Exacerbation of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain behaviors in breast tumor-bearing mice.

Background: Chronic pain and cancer interact bidirectionally, with pain enhancing sensory peptides and potentially promoting tumor growth. Despite this, most chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CIPN) studies overlook the contribution of cancer itself to neuropathy, focusing instead on chemotherapy-induced mechanisms. Animal models of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP) have been developed by injecting chemotherapeutic drugs such as paclitaxel into normal animals without cancer.

Expandable Cage in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Comparative Data with Static Cage from Single Institution, Single Surgeon.

Background: Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) is widely adopted for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. Expandable cages are now increasingly used in MIS-TLIF to facilitate disc height restoration in narrow spaces. Despite theoretical advantages, the clinical and radiologic outcomes of expandable cage compared to static cage remain controversial.

Remimazolam Preserves Oxygen Reserve and Improves Sedation Safety Compared to Propofol in Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography.

Background: Remimazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine with less cardiorespiratory depression compared with propofol. The Oxygen Reserve Index (ORi) reflects oxygenation status in the mild hyperoxic range and can detect subtle respiratory depression induced by sedatives.

Objective: We compared remimazolam and propofol in patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and assessed the ORi to evaluate the impact of these sedatives on oxygen reserve.

Validated intraoperative bleeding severity scale (VIBe) for hemostasis assessment in lumbar spinal fusion: a prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Intraoperative bleeding remains a major challenge in lumbar spine surgery, with conventional assessment methods lacking standardization. The Validated Intraoperative Bleeding Severity Scale (VIBe) is a structured five-grade tool developed to objectively assess bleeding severity across surgical fields. This study evaluated the clinical utility of VIBe in lumbar spinal fusion by comparing it with conventional bleeding metrics across various hemostatic strategies, including hypotensive anesthesia and local hemostatic agent use.

Prognostic Value of A/T/N Biomarkers: Comparing Plasma and Imaging Modalities in Alzheimer Disease.

Background: Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β plaques (A), tau tangles (T), and neurodegeneration (N), collectively defining the ATN framework. While imaging biomarkers are well-established, the prognostic value of plasma biomarkers in predicting cognitive decline remains underexplored. This study compares plasma and imaging A/T/N biomarkers in predicting cognitive decline and evaluate the impact of combining biomarkers across modalities.

Comparison of second-line chemotherapy regimens in advanced biliary tract cancer: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and population-based cohort study.

Background: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are aggressive malignancies with limited treatment options, especially after first-line chemotherapy failure. FOLFIRINOX, though established for pancreatic cancer, has shown promise in advanced BTC, yet its role as a second-line treatment remains unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FOLFIRINOX and performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to compare its outcomes with currently recommended regimens, including FOLFIRI, FOLFOX, and nal-IRI/FL.

Clinical Utility of Salivary Steroid Profiling for the Differential Diagnosis of Adrenal Diseases.

Context: Although salivary steroid sampling offers several advantages, the diagnostic potential of salivary steroid metabolites remains largely unexplored.Objective To evaluate the diagnostic utility of salivary steroid profiling in patients with adrenal diseases.

Design: Prospective multicenter study.

Patient-Derived Organoids from Multiple Sites of a Single Tumor Recapitulates Intratumoral Heterogeneity in Patients with Gastric Cancer.

Background/aims: Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) are promising preclinical models that replicate critical tumor features. However, intratumoral heterogeneity challenges the clinical utility of PDOs, especially in capturing diverse tumor cell subpopulations.

Methods: Single-cell transcriptomics was used to analyze PDOs from distinct sites within a single gastric cancer tumor, aiming to assess their ability to reflect intratumoral heterogeneity.

Development and Evaluation of Dual Microneedle Array Patch for Sequential Intradermal Delivery of Adjuvant and Antigen.

Purpose: Adjuvants are critical for enhancing immune responses to recombinant protein-based vaccines, which typically exhibit weak immunogenicity. Microneedle array patches (MAPs) offer a promising method for intradermal delivery, but conventional Co-Delivery MAPs (containing antigen and adjuvant together) have limited loading capacity and potential undesirable interactions. Adjuvants may also trigger adverse reactions in sensitive populations.

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.

Impact of obesity on palpation-guided distal radial access for coronary procedures: subgroup analysis of the multicenter, prospective KODRA registry.

Background: There is limited data on the impact of body mass index (BMI) on distal radial access (DRA). Using a large-scale prospective registry, the influence of obesity on DRA outcomes was evaluated, including cannulation and complications.

Methods: Using data from the prospective, multicenter KODRA (Korean Prospective Registry for Evaluation the Safety and Efficacy of Distal Radial Approach) registry data, 4,638 patients who planned palpation-guided distal radial artery puncture were enrolled into two groups, both with body mass index (BMI) information available: obese (n = 2,205; BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) and non-obese (n = 2,433).

The Influence of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Body Mass Index on the Incidence of Alzheimer Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background/aims: This study aimed to investigate the influence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and body mass index (BMI) on the incidence of Alzheimer disease (AD) in the general South Korean population.

Methods: The National Screening Program for Transitional Ages collected data from 66-year-old dementia-free Koreans in 2010 and 2011. MASLD was diagnosed based on the fatty liver index (≥30) and the presence of metabolic components, and overweight/obese status was defined as a BMI ≥23 kg/m.

Development of a prediction tool for kidney function decline in children with chronic kidney disease.

Background: A paucity of literature exists on the development of predictive tools for the decline of kidney function in pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD). The objective of this study is to develop and internally validate a tool for the short-term prediction of a kidney function decline in pediatric patients with CKD.

Methods: A total of 539 patients participating in the KNOW-PedCKD (KoreaN cohort study for Outcomes in patients With Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease) were evaluated for 48 variables related to sociodemographic characteristics, laboratory data, and treatment use.

Left ventricular geometry and the risk of heavy coronary artery calcification in patients with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease: the KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcome in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (KNOW-CKD).

Background: The association between abnormal left ventricular geometry (LVG) patterns and the presence of coronary artery calcification is unclear in patients with CKD.

Methods: A total of 2,038 patients with pre-dialysis CKD at stages 1 to 5 were categorized by LVG patterns, which were echocardiographically determined by the presence or absence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and relative wall thickness (RWT): normal, concentric remodeling, eccentric LVH, and concentric LVH. The study outcome was the presence of heavy coronary artery calcification, which is defined as coronary artery calcium score >1,000 Agatston units.

Defining diagnostic thresholds for dissociation between caloric test and vHIT in Ménière's disease.

Objective: Ménière's disease (MD) presents with episodic vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus; however, its diagnosis remains challenging owing to symptom overlap with other vestibular disorders. We evaluated the diagnostic value of dissociation between caloric test and video head impulse test (vHIT) results in MD compared to vestibular schwannoma (VS) and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Methods: A retrospective analysis included 195 patients with MD ( = 51), VS ( = 112), or BPPV ( = 32).

Low vitamin C concentrations and prognosis in critically ill children.

Background: The administration of high-dose vitamins has been focused on in critically ill patients as adjunctive therapy for life-threatening conditions. We evaluated the association between serum vitamin C concentrations and patient prognosis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed and collected clinical and biochemical data, including thiamine and vitamin C levels, of patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

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.

Impact of medical crisis on the critical care system in South Korea.

Background: The ongoing medical crisis in Korea has severely impacted the operational environment of intensive care units (ICU), posing significant challenges to quality care for critically ill patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the ongoing crisis on ICUs.

Methods: A survey was conducted in July 2024 among intensivists in charge of ICUs at institutions accredited by the Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine for critical care.