Background/Aims: Quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) is believed to identify patients at risk of poor outcomes in those with suspected infection. We aimed to evaluate the ability of modified qSOFA (m-qSOFA) to identify high-risk patients among those with acutely deteriorated chronic liver disease (CLD), especially those with acute-onchronic liver failure (ACLF). Methods: We used data from both the Korean Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (KACLiF) and the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) cohorts. qSOFA was modified by replacing the Glasgow Coma Scale with hepatic encephalopathy, and an m-qSOFA ≥2 was considered high. Results: Patients with high m-qSOFA had a significantly lower 1-month transplant-free survival (TFS) in both cohorts and higher organ failure development in KACLiF than those with low m-qSOFA (Ps<0.05). Subgroup analysis by ACLF showed that patients with high m-qSOFA had lower TFS than those with low m-qSOFA. m-qSOFA was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratios, HR=2.604, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.353–5.013, P=0.004 in KACLiF and HR=1.904, 95% CI 1.484– 2.442, P<0.001 in AARC). The patients with low m-qSOFA at baseline but high m-qSOFA on day 7 had a significantly lower 1-month TFS than those with high m-qSOFA at baseline but low m-qSOFA on day 7 (52.6% vs. 89.4%, P<0.001 in KACLiF and 26.9% vs. 61.5%, P<0.001 in AARC). Conclusions Baseline and dynamic changes in m-qSOFA may identify patients with a high risk of developing organ failure and short-term mortality among CLD patients with acute deterioration.

Objectives: This study analyzed the current state of community mental health programs in Korea to develop evidence-based criteria for these programs. Methods: Seventy community mental health facilities nationwide were surveyed about the scope of their operated mental health programs. Details, including program structure, staff expertise, standardization, and quality management, of the 511 programs submitted by the facilities as their representative programs were also analyzed to evaluate their efforts for evidence-based practice. Results: The average number of programs operated by community mental health welfare centers was 15.9. The most common programs were those related to serious mental illness (SMI), followed by child/adolescent mental health programs, early psychosis programs, and non-SMI adult mental health programs. In the case of community addiction management centers, there were 7.2 different addiction-related programs per center. Among the psychiatric rehabilitation facilities for SMI, the average number of programs for SMI was 13.1, with some programs for early psychosis. Of the 511 programs submitted as representative programs in their facilities, only 12.3% were judged to be good evidence-based programs. Conclusion More efforts by mental health professionals and governments are needed to implement evidence-based programs in Korea.

Background/Aims: A comprehensive analysis of trends in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is important for planning public health initiatives. We aimed to analyze the trends in HCC incidence in South Korea over 10 years and to predict the incidence for the year 2028. Methods: Data from patients with newly diagnosed HCC between 2008 and 2018 were obtained from Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) were calculated to compare HCC incidence. A poisson regression model was used to predict the future incidence of HCC. Results: The average crude incidence rate (CR) was 22.4 per 100,000 person-years, and the average ASR was 17.6 per 100,000 person-years between 2008 and 2018. The CR (from 23.9 to 21.2 per 100,000 person-years) and ASR (from 21.9 to 14.3 per 100,000 person-years) of HCC incidence decreased during the past ten years in all age groups, except in the elderly. The ASR of patients aged ≥80 years increased significantly (from 70.0 to 160.2/100,000 person-years; average annual percent change, +9.00%; P<0.001). The estimated CR (17.9 per 100,000 person-years) and ASR (9.7 per 100,000 person-years) of HCC incidence in 2028 was declined, but the number of HCC patients aged ≥80 years in 2028 will be quadruple greater than the number of HCC patients in 2008 (from 521 to 2,055), comprising 21.3% of all HCC patients in 2028. Conclusions The ASRs of HCC in Korea have gradually declined over the past 10 years, but the number, CR, and ASR are increasing in patients aged ≥80 years.

Background/Aims: L-carnitine is potentially beneficial in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE). We aimed to evaluate the impact of L-carnitine on the quality of life and liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis and covert HE. Methods: We conducted an investigator-initiated, prospective, multi-center, double- blind, randomized phase III trial in patients with covert HE. A total of 150 patients were randomized 1:1 to L-carnitine (2 g/day) or placebo for 24 weeks. Changes in quality of life and liver function were assessed at 6 months. The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES), and the Stroop Test were evaluated in all patients. Results: The total SF-36 score significantly improved in the L-carnitine group after 24 weeks (difference: median, 2; interquartile range, 0 to 11; p < 0.001); however, these values were comparable between the two groups. Furthermore, there was a significant ordinal improvement in PHES scores among patients with minimal HE who were in the L-carnitine group (p = 0.007). Changes in the total carnitine level also positively correlated with improvements in the Stroop test in the L-carnitine group (color test, r = 0.3; word test, r = 0.4; inhibition test, r = 0.5; inhibition/switching test, r = 0.3; all p < 0.05). Nevertheless, the MELD scores at week 24 did not differ between the groups. Conclusions Twenty-four weeks of L-carnitine supplementation was safe but ineffective in improving quality of life and liver function.

Background: /Aim: New biomarkers are urgently needed to aid in the diagnosis of early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We performed a meta-analysis on the diagnostic utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels in patients with hepatitis B virus-induced HCC. Methods: We retrieved relevant articles from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to February 8, 2022. Two subgroups were defined; one subset of studies analyzed the ctDNA methylation status, and the other subset combined tumor markers and ctDNA assays. Pooled sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were analyzed. Results: Nine articles including 2,161 participants were included. The overall SEN and SPE were 0.705 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.629-0.771) and 0.833 (95% CI, 0.769-0.882), respectively. The DOR, PLR, and NLR were 11.759 (95% CI, 7.982-17.322), 4.285 (95% CI, 3.098- 5.925), and 0.336 (0.301-0.366), respectively. The ctDNA assay subset exhibited an AUC of 0.835. The AUC of the combined tumor marker and ctDNA assay was 0.848, with an SEN of 0.761 (95% CI, 0.659-0.839) and an SPE of 0.828 (95% CI, 0.692-0.911). Conclusions Circulating tumor DNA has promising diagnostic potential for HCC. It can serve as an auxiliary tool for HCC screening and detection, especially when combined with tumor markers.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the co-administration effect of atelocollagen combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) injections fortreatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tear (RCT). Methods: Eighty patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for full-thickness RCT from March 2018 to November 2019 wereenrolled. The patients were randomly allocated to the following groups: combined atelocollagen and HA injection (group I, n=28), only HAinjection (group II, n=26), and no injection (group III, n=26). Clinical outcomes were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery usingthe American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, visual analog scale pain score, functional scores (pain visual analog scale, function visualanalog score), and range of motion. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed 12 months after surgery to evaluate rotator cuff integrity. Results: Preoperative demographic data and postoperative clinical outcomes did not differ significantly among the three groups (p>0.05).However, in group I, the number of steroid injections after surgery was significantly lower than that in the other groups (p=0.011). The retear rate on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging was significantly higher in group II (9.5%, n=2) and group III (13.6%, n=3) than ingroup I (0%, p=0.021). Conclusions Co-administration of atelocollagen and HA improves healing of the rotator cuff and increases the integrity of the rotator cuffrepair site. This study provides encouraging evidence for use of combined atelocollagen-HA injections to treat patients with full-thicknessRCT.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the co-administration effect of atelocollagen combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) injections fortreatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tear (RCT). Methods: Eighty patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for full-thickness RCT from March 2018 to November 2019 wereenrolled. The patients were randomly allocated to the following groups: combined atelocollagen and HA injection (group I, n=28), only HAinjection (group II, n=26), and no injection (group III, n=26). Clinical outcomes were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery usingthe American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, visual analog scale pain score, functional scores (pain visual analog scale, function visualanalog score), and range of motion. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed 12 months after surgery to evaluate rotator cuff integrity. Results: Preoperative demographic data and postoperative clinical outcomes did not differ significantly among the three groups (p>0.05).However, in group I, the number of steroid injections after surgery was significantly lower than that in the other groups (p=0.011). The retear rate on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging was significantly higher in group II (9.5%, n=2) and group III (13.6%, n=3) than ingroup I (0%, p=0.021). Conclusions Co-administration of atelocollagen and HA improves healing of the rotator cuff and increases the integrity of the rotator cuffrepair site. This study provides encouraging evidence for use of combined atelocollagen-HA injections to treat patients with full-thicknessRCT.

Background/Aims: The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), based on transient elastography, is widely used for noninvasive assessment of the degree of hepatic steatosis (HS). We investigated the correlation of the degree HS between CAP and ultrasound (US) in patients with HS. Methods: In total, 986 patients with US-based HS who underwent transient elastography within 1 month were evaluated. The US-based grade of HS was categorized as mild (grade 1), moderate (grade 2), or severe (grade 3). Results: The CAP was significantly correlated with the US-based grade of HS (r = 0.458, p < 0.001). The median CAP value of each US-based HS grade showed a positive correlation with grade (271.1, 303.7, and 326.7 dB/m for grades 1, 2, and 3). In a multivariate analysis, the US-based HS grade, body mass index, serum albumin, alanine aminotransferase, and total cholesterol, and liver stiffness were all significantly correlated with the CAP value (all p < 0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for grade 2 to 3 and grade 3 HS were 0.749 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.714 to 0.784) and 0.738 (95% CI, 0.704 to 0.772). The optimal cut-off CAP values to maximize the sum of the sensitivity and specificity for grade 2 to 3 and grade 3 HS were 284.5 dB/m (sensitivity 78.6%, specificity 61.7%) and 298.5 dB/m (sensitivity 84.6%, specificity 55.6%). Conclusions The correlation of the degree of HS between CAP and US was significantly high in patients with HS, and the optimal cut-off CAP values for grade 2 to 3 and grade 3 HS were 284.5 and 298.5 dB/m.

Primary breast carcinoma with neuroendocrine features is an extremely rare and underrecognized subtype of the breast carcinoma. And up to present, its biologic behavior, the most effective treatment, and prognosis are not well recognized. To diagnose this rare entity, special tumor stains of neuroendocrine markers are required, which are not routinely used. The imaging features of primary breast carcinoma with neuroendocrine features (BCNF) have not been accurately described due to the extreme rarity of this tumor type. We report the imaging features in a case of BCNF, with imaging findings different from the typical imaging findings of invasive breast carcinoma.

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) is a rare tumor of the gastrointestinal tract that has both exocrine and neuroendocrine components. There are only 5 case reports about this combined tumor in the small bowel, arose in a background of long-standing Crohn's disease. Here, we report a case of small bowel MANEC in a 54-year-old male with Crohn's disease, who presented a heterogeneous enhancing, asymmetric small bowel wall thickening with small bowel obstruction and had a difficulty in differential diagnosis before surgery.