Purpose: We compared short-term clinical outcomes after cataract surgery with implantation of a novel refractive extended depth-of-focus TECNIS PureSee intraocular lens (IOL) between patients with stage 1 epiretinal membrane (ERM)—characterized by a thin membrane over the macula with preserved foveal depression―and those with a normal retina. Methods: This retrospective study included 60 eyes of 60 patients who underwent cataract surgery with implantation of the TECNIS PureSee IOL between January 2024 and January 2025: 30 eyes with stage 1 ERM and 30 eyes with a normal retina. Preoperative characteristics, including age, sex distribution, cataract severity, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and higher-order aberrations, were compared between groups, as were IOL power and target refraction. Postoperative outcomes at 1 month―including CDVA, uncorrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity, ocular aberrations, and contrast sensitivity―were evaluated. Results: There were no significant differences in preoperative characteristics, such as age, sex distribution, cataract grade, CDVA, higher-order aberrations, IOL power, or target refraction between the two groups. At 1 month postoperatively, CDVA, uncorrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity, higher-order aberrations, and contrast sensitivity exhibited no significant differences between groups. Conclusions In this short-term analysis, the PureSee IOL demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety in cataract patients with stage 1 ERM to those with a normal retina.

Background: s/Aims: Phase angle (PhA), as measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, provides insights into hydration and nutritional status, making it a prognostic indicator of frailty. While low preoperative PhA has been linked to postoperative complications in cancer patients, its predictive value in individuals undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has not been thoroughly investigated.This study aims to evaluate the clinical utility of preoperative PhA in predicting postoperative complications for patients undergoing PD. Methods: Among 41 patients who underwent PD at Seoul National University Hospital between September and December 2024, 35 were included in the analysis after excluding 6 patients who had concomitant blood vessel or other organ resections. Patients were divided into low (Comprehensive Complication Index [CCI] ≤ 20) and high (CCI > 20) complication groups based on the CCI, derived from the Clavien–Dindo classification. The differences in PhA between the two groups were analyzed, and logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship between PhA and CCI. Results: The mean PhA was significantly lower in the high-CCI group compared to the low-CCI group (5.7° vs. 6.7°, p = 0.025). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that PhA (odds ratio: 0.17; 95% confidence interval: 0.04–0.68; p = 0.012) was an independent predictor of high CCI. A low preoperative PhA was associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications following PD. Conclusions Preoperative PhA may serve as a valuable predictive indicator of postoperative complications after PD, enabling the identification of patients who could benefit from preoperative prehabilitation, including nutritional support.

Purpose: We aimed to compare the final adult height (FAH) of male patients with central precocious puberty (CPP) after treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa). Specifically, we compared FAH with the target height (TH) and the predicted adult height (PAH) before and after GnRHa treatment to quantify height gain and identify predictive factors. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 92 male patients with CPP and known FAH after GnRHa treatment at the Department of Pediatrics of Severance Children’s Hospital between January 2000 and June 2024. Results: The mean duration of GnRHa treatment was 2.7±1.3 years. A significant 1.1±0.9 years narrowing was observed in the difference between bone age (BA) and chronological age (CA) during treatment (P<0.001). TH was 172.4±3.4 cm. FAH was 173.6±6.4 cm. FAH was greater than TH by 1.2±5.9 cm (P=0.047). PAH before and after treatment was 179.9±8.1 and 181.2±7.4 cm, respectively. PAH was increased by 1.3±4.9 cm (P=0.012) after treatment. As the PAH standard deviation score (SDS) before GnRHa treatment increased, FAH tended to exceed TH. In contrast, higher testosterone levels before treatment are associated with FAH falling below TH. A longer duration of treatment and taller TH are associated with an FAH SDS greater than height SDS before treatment. Conversely, a greater weight SDS, BA–CA difference, and testis size before treatment are associated with FAH SDS being less than height SDS before GnRHa treatment. Conclusion GnRHa treatment improved FAH and inhibited bone maturation in male patients with CPP.

Purpose: Although gastric cancer (GC) exhibits significant genomic heterogeneity, the clinical implications of its immune microenvironment remain poorly understood. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients with GC who underwent gastrectomies between 2011 and 2014. The tumors were analyzed for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (CD3), tumor-associated macrophages (CD68 and CD163), and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Tumors were classified using the modified The Cancer Genome Atlas scheme, and their clinical characteristics were compared. Results: A total of 567 patients were classified into EBV (6%), MSI-H (10%), chromosomal instability-like (36%), and genomically stable-like (48%) subtypes. EBV tumors exhibited the highest PD-L1 expression (85%) and immune infiltration by CD3+ T cells (86%), CD68+ macrophages (58%), and CD163+ macrophages (40%). High CD68+ macrophage tumors were associated with advanced stages and worse 5-year disease-free survival (83% vs. 95%; P<0.001);however, this association was not independently significant after adjusting for the tumor-nodemetastasis stage. PD-L1 expression did not significantly affect the survival outcomes. Conclusions GC subtypes have distinct immune microenvironments that influence prognosis. Our findings highlight the prognostic and therapeutic potential of immune profiling in GC.

Purpose: Postoperative endophthalmitis is a sight-threatening intraocular infection requiring prompt treatment. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of intravitreal 0.625% povidone-iodine (PI) injection with intravitreal antibiotic injection for the treatment of postoperative endophthalmitis. Methods: A retrospective review of 40 eyes diagnosed with postoperative endophthalmitis was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 received intravitreal 0.625% PI injection (0.1 mL), while group 2 received intravitreal antibiotic injection. Clinical data, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, the number of intravitreal injections, duration of anterior chamber hypopyon, and the need for pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), were analyzed. Results: Group 1 (24 eyes) showed significant improvements in BCVA posttreatment (mean, 1.04 ± 0.95 logMAR; p < 0.001) compared to group 2 (16 eyes; mean, 1.26 ± 0.99 logMAR; p = 0.092). Severe visual impairment (BCVA < 10 / 100) was significantly less frequent in group 1 (25.0%) than in group 2 (62.5%) (p = 0.025). The mean duration of hypopyon was shorter in group 1 (2.6 ± 2.2 days) compared to group 2 (6.4 ± 7.3 days, p = 0.048). Fewer intravitreal injections (p = 0.002) and PPV (p = 0.002) were required in group 1. Conclusions Intravitreal 0.625% PI injection was associated with fewer intravitreal injections, shorter hypopyon duration, and more favorable visual outcome–related measures, including significant visual improvement from baseline and a lower frequency of severe visual impairment, compared with intravitreal antibiotic treatment. These findings suggest that PI may be considered a safe and effective initial treatment option for postoperative endophthalmitis. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these results.

Purpose: This 6-year post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study was conducted in South Korea to evaluate the real-world safety and effectiveness of eribulin in patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracyclines and taxanes. Materials and Methods: During the study period (17 August 2012 to 16 August 2018), case-report files (CRFs) of patients receiving eribulin were collected. The main study endpoint was to assess the safety of eribulin. Evaluation of the effectiveness of eribulin was an exploratory endpoint. Patients were followed for 1 year after eribulin initiation. Results: CRFs were collected from 64 investigators at 64 sites for 1,079 patients. The safety analysis set (SAS) included 1,001 eribulin recipients; effectiveness was assessed in 244 patients. In the SAS, patients were predominantly female (99.6%), with a median age of 53.0 years, and diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (92.0%). Eribulin was administered as a median 4th line chemotherapy. A total of 2,124 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 661 patients (66.0%). Neutropenia was the most common TEAE (32.5% of patients), occurring at a median of 9-11 days from initial eribulin administration. Overall response and disease control rates were 31.7% and 95.6%, respectively, and the median duration of eribulin use (time to treatment failure) was 3.0 months. Conclusion This large real-world PMS analysis in patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer demonstrated the effectiveness of eribulin and found no new safety concerns relative to safety information from prior clinical and real-world studies, and approvals in South Korea and other countries.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to analyze postoperative performance and mapping characteristics of cochlear implants (CIs) by comparing patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to those without ASD, and to suggest CI mapping solutions in patients with ASD.Subjects and Method This retrospective study enrolled 10 children with ASD and hearing disabilities, who received simultaneous bilateral CI (ASD group), and 20 children with bilateral hearing disabilities, who received simultaneous bilateral CI at the same age (control group). CI performance was analyzed using speech perception tests (categorical auditory performance score and monosyllable, bisyllable, and Ling’s 6 tests) and a sound field test. The mapping characteristics focused on variables related to stimulus intensity and fine-tuning. Results: The performance of the ASD group was significantly poorer than that of the control group in all speech perception and sound field tests. At the comfortable (C) and threshold (T) levels, the ASD group scored significantly lower than the control group. The dynamic range of ASD group was significantly narrower than the control group. The ASD group had significantly lower pulse width, sensitivity, and volume than control group. Conclusion CI mapping in the ASD group showed practical limitations. To avoid overstimulation in patients with ASD, the dynamic range should be set narrow, or the C/T level should be set lower than normal. Key control factors, such as pulse width, sensitivity, and volume, should be set lower than the control group. Although lower performance from CI is generally expected in the ASD group, CI mapping in the ASD group requires a long-term approach with dedicated efforts and patience.

Purpose: This study aimed to characterize the clinical patterns and severity of brain injury in neonates who survived extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy for acute respiratory failure during the neonatal period, to evaluate their short-term neurodevelopmental outcomes, and to identify the factors associated with these outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of neonates who survived ECMO between 2018 and 2024. Based on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, the patients were classified into two groups: no/mild and moderate/severe brain injury. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed at 12–40 months of age using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development II/III and/or the Korean Developmental Screening Test. Results: Among the 19 neonates included in the study, 18 (94.7%) showed varying degrees of brain injury on MRI (mild: 12, moderate: 1, severe: 5). Neonates with moderate/severe brain injury had significantly longer durations of ECMO support and extended durations of mechanical ventilation and were more likely to receive continuous renal replacement therapy than those with no or mild injury. Developmental delay was identified in 36.8% of survivors and was significantly associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation, longer neonatal intensive care unit stays, and a higher incidence of seizures. Conclusion Brain injury is frequently observed on MRI in neonates treated with ECMO. However, its direct association with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes is not definitive. Since MRI findings alone cannot predict developmental outcomes, clinical and environmental factors should be integrated into prognostic assessments.

Purpose: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a major preventable cause of intellectual disability, particularly in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, who are at increased risk due to hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis immaturity. Early differentiation between transient CH (TCH) and permanent CH (PCH) is crucial to optimize L-thyroxine (LT4) treatment duration. This study aimed to determine the incidence of PCH among Korean VLBW infants and to identify clinical factors that may aid in distinguishing TCH from PCH. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included VLBW infants diagnosed with CH and treated with LT4 at a single tertiary neonatal intensive care unit between 2011 and 2020. Infants requiring LT4 beyond 3 years were classified as PCH, while those who discontinued earlier were considered TCH. Clinical characteristics, neonatal morbidities, and thyroid-related parameters were compared between the groups. Results: Among 1,292 VLBW infants, 122 (9.4%) were diagnosed with CH. After excluding deaths and those lost to follow-up, 73 infants were included in the final analysis (TCH, n=50; PCH, n=23). The PCH group had a significantly higher mean gestational age and greater LT4 requirements at both 12 and 36 months of age. Major anomalies were more frequently observed in PCH infants, including congenital heart defects. In multivariate analysis, higher gestational age, the presence of major anomalies, screening thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) >10 μIU/mL, and higher LT4 dose at 36 months were significantly associated with PCH. Conclusion The incidence of PCH in Korean VLBW infants was relatively higher than that reported in previous studies studies. Screening TSH level and LT4 dose requirements may support individualized follow-up and help distinguish PCH from TCH.

Hangovers from alcohol consumption cause symptoms like headaches, nausea, and fatigue, disrupting daily activities and overall well-being. Over time, they can also lead to inflammation and oxidative stress. Effective hangover relief alleviates symptoms, prevents dehydration, and replenishes energy needed for daily tasks. Natural foods considered high in antioxidants and antiinflammatory properties may aid in the hepatic breakdown of alcohol. The study aims to investigate the impact of glutathione or its enriched yeast extract, which is recognized for its antioxidant characteristics, on alcohol metabolism and alleviating hangovers in a rat model exposed to binge drinking. In this study, glutathione and its enriched yeast extract controlled hangover behaviour patterns, including locomotor activity. Additionally, it enhanced the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) following ethanol ingestion (3 g/kg). Further, the incorporation of glutathione led to an increase in the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD and catalase, by activating the nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway.This activation reduced the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde. Next, glutathione modulated the activity of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and the protein expressions of Bax and Bcl2. Besides, in vitro and in vivo investigations with glutathione demonstrated a regulating effect on the pan-s-glutathionylation and its associated protein expression, glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1), glutathione-S-transferase Pi (GST-π), and glutathione reductase (GR). Together, these findings suggest that glutathione or its enriched yeast extract as a beneficial dietary supplement for alleviating hangover symptoms by enhancing alcohol metabolism and its associated Nrf2/Keap1 signalings.