OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular predictions are related to patients' quality of life and health. Therefore, a risk prediction model for cardiovascular conditions is needed. METHODS: In this paper, we propose a cardiovascular disease prediction model using the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES-VI) 2013 dataset to analyze cardiovascular-related health data. First, statistical analysis was performed to find variables related to cardiovascular disease using health data related to cardiovascular disease. Second, a model of cardiovascular risk prediction by learning based on the deep belief network (DBN) was developed. RESULTS: The proposed statistical DBN-based prediction model showed accuracy and an ROC curve of 83.9% and 0.790, respectively. Thus, the proposed statistical DBN performed better than other prediction algorithms. CONCLUSIONS: The DBN proposed in this study appears to be effective in predicting cardiovascular risk and, in particular, is expected to be applicable to the prediction of cardiovascular disease in Koreans.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Dataset ; Korea ; Learning ; Machine Learning ; Nutrition Surveys ; Quality of Life ; ROC Curve

OBJECTIVES: The importance of the prediction of coronary heart disease (CHD) has been recognized in Korea; however, few studies have been conducted in this area. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method for the prediction and classification of CHD in Koreans. METHODS: A model for CHD prediction must be designed according to rule-based guidelines. In this study, a fuzzy logic and decision tree (classification and regression tree [CART])-driven CHD prediction model was developed for Koreans. Datasets derived from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI (KNHANES-VI) were utilized to generate the proposed model. RESULTS: The rules were generated using a decision tree technique, and fuzzy logic was applied to overcome problems associated with uncertainty in CHD prediction. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve values of the propose systems were 69.51% and 0.594, proving that the proposed methods were more efficient than other models.
Classification ; Coronary Disease* ; Data Mining ; Dataset ; Decision Trees* ; Fuzzy Logic* ; Heart Diseases ; Korea ; Nutrition Surveys ; ROC Curve ; Uncertainty

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections worldwide and are particularly prevalent in women. Recurrent UTIs significantly diminish quality of life due to their symptoms and frequent relapses. Patients often experience immediate relapse following slightly strenuous activities or intense psychological stress. In this review, we explore why infections persist despite the advent of various treatments and suggest strategies to manage recurrent cystitis by targeting the mechanisms of adhesion and infection. Vitamin D levels and the expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin are linked to the recurrence of UTIs. During a UTI, bacteria employ adhesins to invade the urinary tract, adhere to urothelial cells, and then penetrate these cells, where they rapidly multiply to establish intracellular bacterial communities. Bacteria can also form quiescent intracellular reservoirs that escape immune responses and antibiotic treatments, leading to recurrence under certain conditions. The surface proteins of bacteria and D-mannose are crucial in the adhesion of bacteria to the urothelium. Understanding these processes provides valuable insights into potential therapeutic approaches that focus on preventing bacterial attachment and cluster formation. By disrupting the ability of bacteria to adhere to and form clusters on cells, we can better manage recurrent UTIs and improve patient outcomes.

Internet addiction (IA) has become a widespread and problematic phenomenon as smart devices pervade society. Moreover, internet gaming disorder leads to increases in social expenditures for both individuals and nations alike. Although the prevention and treatment of IA are getting more important, the diagnosis of IA remains problematic. Understanding the neurobiological mechanism of behavioral addictions is essential for the development of specific and effective treatments. Although there are many databases related to other addictions, a database for IA has not been developed yet. In addition, bioinformatics databases, especially genetic databases, require a high level of security and should be designed based on medical information standards. In this respect, our study proposes the OAuth standard protocol for database access authorization. The proposed IA Bioinformatics (IABio) database system is based on internet user authentication, which is a guideline for medical information standards, and uses OAuth 2.0 for access control technology. This study designed and developed the system requirements and configuration. The OAuth 2.0 protocol is expected to establish the security of personal medical information and be applied to genomic research on IA.
Computational Biology* ; Databases, Genetic ; Diagnosis ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Internet*

Traditionally, tissue biopsies of kidney lesions are usually performed with CT or percutaneous ultrasound guidance, but biopsies using EUS have rarely been reported. In this report, we describe a case of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) diagnosed using EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. A 75-year-old woman taking aspirin due to stable angina continued to exhibit weight loss and anemia and visited the gastroenterology department. No bleeding was observed on upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. A contrast-enhanced mass was observed in the left kidney, accompanied by 8.9×10.8 cm-sized necrosis suggesting RCC on abdominal CT. Chest CT showed masses in both lungs. We planned to administer targeted therapy after pathological confirmation using EUS. Aspirin was continued, and we performed fine-needle biopsy using a 22-gauge needle three times. No adverse events were observed after the procedure. Pathological examination confirmed RCC, clear cell type, and the patient is currently undergoing treatment with sunitinib. EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy is safe for liver, pancreatic, or other tumors accessible from the upper gastrointestinal tract. This technique shows fewer adverse events. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no other reports on EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy to identify RCC in Korea.

On 11 February, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 was a novel coronavirus disease first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The complete clinical picture is not fully known. Illness ranges from mild to fatal. The common symptoms include fever, cough, and dyspnea usually developing 2-14 days after exposure. However, diarrhea was present in a few patients with COVID-19. We report a case of COVID-19 mimicking acute colitis.

Acute liver failure due to malignant melanoma is uncommon. We presents a case of acute liver failure secondary to hepatic infiltration of a malignant melanoma. An 86-year-old man was admitted with elevated liver enzymes and an increased lactate dehydrogenase level. His condition progressed to acute liver failure, but the etiology of liver failure was unclear. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed to evaluate dyspepsia, which showed signs indicative of malignant melanoma. Based on the endoscopy findings and elevated liver enzyme levels, liver biopsy was performed to confirm the presence of malignant melanoma. Hepatic infiltration of malignant melanoma was observed histologically. However, massive and diffuse liver metastasis is very rare and difficult to identify on imaging studies. If the etiology of liver failure is unclear, diffuse metastatic melanoma infiltration should be considered as differential diagnosis. Early liver biopsy can help to clarify the diagnosis.

Traditionally, tissue biopsies of kidney lesions are usually performed with CT or percutaneous ultrasound guidance, but biopsies using EUS have rarely been reported. In this report, we describe a case of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) diagnosed using EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. A 75-year-old woman taking aspirin due to stable angina continued to exhibit weight loss and anemia and visited the gastroenterology department. No bleeding was observed on upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. A contrast-enhanced mass was observed in the left kidney, accompanied by 8.9×10.8 cm-sized necrosis suggesting RCC on abdominal CT. Chest CT showed masses in both lungs. We planned to administer targeted therapy after pathological confirmation using EUS. Aspirin was continued, and we performed fine-needle biopsy using a 22-gauge needle three times. No adverse events were observed after the procedure. Pathological examination confirmed RCC, clear cell type, and the patient is currently undergoing treatment with sunitinib. EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy is safe for liver, pancreatic, or other tumors accessible from the upper gastrointestinal tract. This technique shows fewer adverse events. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no other reports on EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy to identify RCC in Korea.

On 11 February, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 was a novel coronavirus disease first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The complete clinical picture is not fully known. Illness ranges from mild to fatal. The common symptoms include fever, cough, and dyspnea usually developing 2-14 days after exposure. However, diarrhea was present in a few patients with COVID-19. We report a case of COVID-19 mimicking acute colitis.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related perforations of the duodenum are rare but serious complications. Some ERCP-related perforations can be successfully managed without surgery. However, the presence of duodenal perforation may lead to premature termination of the ERCP and need for additional procedure such as percutaneous biliary drainage. If the ERCP-related perforation is identified early during the procedure, primary closure of the perforation can be attempted first or after completion of ERCP. We report two cases of duodenal perforation during ERCP in which ERCP was successfully completed after primary closure of the perforation.
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Drainage ; Duodenum ; Intestinal Perforation