Background: This study analyzed the epidemiology and treatment outcomes of germ cell tumorpatients at a single institution. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on intracranial germ cell tumor (iGCT) pa-tients treated at a single tertiary hospital from 2004 to 2019. Patients were categorized based on treatment modality: Korean Society for Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (KSPNO) protocol or bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin with radiation therapy. Results: Forty-nine iGCT patients treated with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapywere analyzed. The median age was 19 years (range: 6–40), with a median follow-up duration of 148.0 months (range: 10.5–265.5). Tumors were most common in the pineal gland (51.0%). Although no significant differences in outcomes were observed between treatment modalities, outcomes varied significantly by pathological type. The 10-year progression-free survival rates for germinoma and non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs) were 88.1% and 32.7%, respectively (p=0.003), while the 10-year overall survival rates were 92.9% and 67.5%, respectively (p<0.001). Fourteen patients experienced CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) grade ≥3 adverse events, with one eventrelated death. Conclusion Pure germinoma demonstrated higher survival and lower recurrence rates comparedto NGGCT. The KSPNO protocol appears to be an acceptable and safe treatment option for iGCT patients. Further multi-institutional studies with larger cohorts are warranted.

Background: The World Health Organization has declared the end of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency. However, this did not indicate the end of COVID-19. Several months after the infection, numerous patients complain of respiratory or nonspecific symptoms; this condition is called long COVID. Even patients with mild COVID-19 can experience long COVID, thus the burden of long COVID remains considerable. Therefore, we conducted this study to comprehensively analyze the effects of long COVID using multi-faceted assessments. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study involving patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between February 2020 and September 2021 in six tertiary hospitals in Korea. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after discharge. Long COVID was defined as the persistence of three or more COVID-19-related symptoms. The primary outcome of this study was the prevalence of long COVID after the period of COVID-19. Results: During the study period, 290 patients were enrolled. Among them, 54.5 and 34.6% experienced long COVID within 6 months and after more than 18 months, respectively. Several patients showed abnormal results when tested for post-traumatic stress disorder (17.4%) and anxiety (31.9%) after 18 months. In patients who underwent follow-up chest computed tomography 18 months after COVID-19, abnormal findings remained at 51.9%. Males (odds ratio [OR], 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.05–0.53; P=0.004) and elderly (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00–1.09; P=0.04) showed a significant association with long COVID after 12–18 months in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusion Many patients still showed long COVID after 18 months post SARS-CoV-2 infection. When managing these patients, the assessment of multiple aspects is necessary.

Background: This study analyzed the epidemiology and treatment outcomes of germ cell tumorpatients at a single institution. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on intracranial germ cell tumor (iGCT) pa-tients treated at a single tertiary hospital from 2004 to 2019. Patients were categorized based on treatment modality: Korean Society for Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (KSPNO) protocol or bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin with radiation therapy. Results: Forty-nine iGCT patients treated with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapywere analyzed. The median age was 19 years (range: 6–40), with a median follow-up duration of 148.0 months (range: 10.5–265.5). Tumors were most common in the pineal gland (51.0%). Although no significant differences in outcomes were observed between treatment modalities, outcomes varied significantly by pathological type. The 10-year progression-free survival rates for germinoma and non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs) were 88.1% and 32.7%, respectively (p=0.003), while the 10-year overall survival rates were 92.9% and 67.5%, respectively (p<0.001). Fourteen patients experienced CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) grade ≥3 adverse events, with one eventrelated death. Conclusion Pure germinoma demonstrated higher survival and lower recurrence rates comparedto NGGCT. The KSPNO protocol appears to be an acceptable and safe treatment option for iGCT patients. Further multi-institutional studies with larger cohorts are warranted.

Background: The World Health Organization has declared the end of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency. However, this did not indicate the end of COVID-19. Several months after the infection, numerous patients complain of respiratory or nonspecific symptoms; this condition is called long COVID. Even patients with mild COVID-19 can experience long COVID, thus the burden of long COVID remains considerable. Therefore, we conducted this study to comprehensively analyze the effects of long COVID using multi-faceted assessments. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study involving patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between February 2020 and September 2021 in six tertiary hospitals in Korea. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after discharge. Long COVID was defined as the persistence of three or more COVID-19-related symptoms. The primary outcome of this study was the prevalence of long COVID after the period of COVID-19. Results: During the study period, 290 patients were enrolled. Among them, 54.5 and 34.6% experienced long COVID within 6 months and after more than 18 months, respectively. Several patients showed abnormal results when tested for post-traumatic stress disorder (17.4%) and anxiety (31.9%) after 18 months. In patients who underwent follow-up chest computed tomography 18 months after COVID-19, abnormal findings remained at 51.9%. Males (odds ratio [OR], 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.05–0.53; P=0.004) and elderly (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00–1.09; P=0.04) showed a significant association with long COVID after 12–18 months in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusion Many patients still showed long COVID after 18 months post SARS-CoV-2 infection. When managing these patients, the assessment of multiple aspects is necessary.

Background: This study analyzed the epidemiology and treatment outcomes of germ cell tumorpatients at a single institution. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on intracranial germ cell tumor (iGCT) pa-tients treated at a single tertiary hospital from 2004 to 2019. Patients were categorized based on treatment modality: Korean Society for Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (KSPNO) protocol or bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin with radiation therapy. Results: Forty-nine iGCT patients treated with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapywere analyzed. The median age was 19 years (range: 6–40), with a median follow-up duration of 148.0 months (range: 10.5–265.5). Tumors were most common in the pineal gland (51.0%). Although no significant differences in outcomes were observed between treatment modalities, outcomes varied significantly by pathological type. The 10-year progression-free survival rates for germinoma and non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs) were 88.1% and 32.7%, respectively (p=0.003), while the 10-year overall survival rates were 92.9% and 67.5%, respectively (p<0.001). Fourteen patients experienced CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) grade ≥3 adverse events, with one eventrelated death. Conclusion Pure germinoma demonstrated higher survival and lower recurrence rates comparedto NGGCT. The KSPNO protocol appears to be an acceptable and safe treatment option for iGCT patients. Further multi-institutional studies with larger cohorts are warranted.

Background: The World Health Organization has declared the end of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency. However, this did not indicate the end of COVID-19. Several months after the infection, numerous patients complain of respiratory or nonspecific symptoms; this condition is called long COVID. Even patients with mild COVID-19 can experience long COVID, thus the burden of long COVID remains considerable. Therefore, we conducted this study to comprehensively analyze the effects of long COVID using multi-faceted assessments. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study involving patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between February 2020 and September 2021 in six tertiary hospitals in Korea. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after discharge. Long COVID was defined as the persistence of three or more COVID-19-related symptoms. The primary outcome of this study was the prevalence of long COVID after the period of COVID-19. Results: During the study period, 290 patients were enrolled. Among them, 54.5 and 34.6% experienced long COVID within 6 months and after more than 18 months, respectively. Several patients showed abnormal results when tested for post-traumatic stress disorder (17.4%) and anxiety (31.9%) after 18 months. In patients who underwent follow-up chest computed tomography 18 months after COVID-19, abnormal findings remained at 51.9%. Males (odds ratio [OR], 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.05–0.53; P=0.004) and elderly (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00–1.09; P=0.04) showed a significant association with long COVID after 12–18 months in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusion Many patients still showed long COVID after 18 months post SARS-CoV-2 infection. When managing these patients, the assessment of multiple aspects is necessary.

Purpose: This study aims to systematically analyze the radioactive waste generated from treatments using radioactive Iodine-131 (I-131), Lutetium-177 (Lu-177), and Actinium-225 (Ac-225) to facilitate safe waste management practices. Methods: I-131 is primarily used in thyroid cancer treatment, while Lu-177 and Ac-225 are used to treat prostate cancer. Radioactive waste generated after these treatments was collected from patients at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital and categorized into clothing, slippers, syringes, and other items. The radioactivity concentration of each item was measured using a calibrated highpurity germanium detector. Using measurements, the self-disposal date of each waste item was calculated according to the permissible disposal levels defined by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) under domestic nuclear safety regulations. Results: For the I-131 radioactive waste, clothing, towels, and tableware exhibited high radioactivity concentrations, with most items exceeding the permissible self-disposal levels.Conversely, the type and quantity of waste generated from Lu-177 and Ac-225 that were intravenously injected were relatively minimal, with certain items below the self-disposal thresholds, enabling immediate disposal. For Ac-225, no permissible self-disposal concentration is specified by the NSSC, unlike other therapeutic nuclides. Hence, additional studies are required to establish clear guidelines. Conclusions These findings provide valuable data for optimizing radioactive waste management, potentially reducing disposal time and costs, minimizing radiation exposure, and enhancing hospital safety practices.

Objectives: We investigate relationship between suicide attempts and peripheral blood inflammatory markers in patients visiting the emergency department (ED) for psychiatric consultations, aiming to identify potential biomarkers for predicting suicide risk. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 569 patients who were referred to psychiatric consultation at the ED from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. Demographic and clinical characteristics and various blood test markers were analyzed. Analyses were performed to compare differences in blood markers between suicide attempters and non-attempters and among those with varying histories of suicide attempts. Results: Among 569 patients, 398 (69.9%) had attempted suicide. Significant differences in leukocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, red blood cells (RBCs), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and ketone bodies were observed between suicide attempters and non-attempters. Further analysis revealed that patients with a history of suicide attempts had higher lymphocyte and eosinophil counts but lower LDH and ketone body levels. An increasing frequency of past suicide attempts correlated with higher lymphocyte and eosinophil count and lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune inflammatory index, glucose, LDH, and ketone body levels. Conclusions We identify blood markers associated with suicide attempts, indicating that leukocyte, lymphocyte, eosinophil, RBC count, LDH, and ketone body levels could serve as potential biomarkers for assessing suicide risk. Findings underscore importance of biological assessments in conjunction with psychological evaluations in predicting and preventing suicide attempts. Further research is needed to validate these biomarkers and understand mechanisms.

Purpose: This study aims to systematically analyze the radioactive waste generated from treatments using radioactive Iodine-131 (I-131), Lutetium-177 (Lu-177), and Actinium-225 (Ac-225) to facilitate safe waste management practices. Methods: I-131 is primarily used in thyroid cancer treatment, while Lu-177 and Ac-225 are used to treat prostate cancer. Radioactive waste generated after these treatments was collected from patients at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital and categorized into clothing, slippers, syringes, and other items. The radioactivity concentration of each item was measured using a calibrated highpurity germanium detector. Using measurements, the self-disposal date of each waste item was calculated according to the permissible disposal levels defined by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) under domestic nuclear safety regulations. Results: For the I-131 radioactive waste, clothing, towels, and tableware exhibited high radioactivity concentrations, with most items exceeding the permissible self-disposal levels.Conversely, the type and quantity of waste generated from Lu-177 and Ac-225 that were intravenously injected were relatively minimal, with certain items below the self-disposal thresholds, enabling immediate disposal. For Ac-225, no permissible self-disposal concentration is specified by the NSSC, unlike other therapeutic nuclides. Hence, additional studies are required to establish clear guidelines. Conclusions These findings provide valuable data for optimizing radioactive waste management, potentially reducing disposal time and costs, minimizing radiation exposure, and enhancing hospital safety practices.

Purpose: This study aims to systematically analyze the radioactive waste generated from treatments using radioactive Iodine-131 (I-131), Lutetium-177 (Lu-177), and Actinium-225 (Ac-225) to facilitate safe waste management practices. Methods: I-131 is primarily used in thyroid cancer treatment, while Lu-177 and Ac-225 are used to treat prostate cancer. Radioactive waste generated after these treatments was collected from patients at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital and categorized into clothing, slippers, syringes, and other items. The radioactivity concentration of each item was measured using a calibrated highpurity germanium detector. Using measurements, the self-disposal date of each waste item was calculated according to the permissible disposal levels defined by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) under domestic nuclear safety regulations. Results: For the I-131 radioactive waste, clothing, towels, and tableware exhibited high radioactivity concentrations, with most items exceeding the permissible self-disposal levels.Conversely, the type and quantity of waste generated from Lu-177 and Ac-225 that were intravenously injected were relatively minimal, with certain items below the self-disposal thresholds, enabling immediate disposal. For Ac-225, no permissible self-disposal concentration is specified by the NSSC, unlike other therapeutic nuclides. Hence, additional studies are required to establish clear guidelines. Conclusions These findings provide valuable data for optimizing radioactive waste management, potentially reducing disposal time and costs, minimizing radiation exposure, and enhancing hospital safety practices.