Objective: Cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/R) lead to whole-body ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury, causing multiple organ dysfunction, including ischemic spinal cord injury. The thoracic spinal cord levels are crucial for maintaining the sympathetic functions vital for life. This study examined blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) leakage and astrocyte endfeet (AEF) disruption and their effects on survival, physiological variables, and neuronal damage/death in the intermediate zone (IMZ) at the seventh thoracic spinal cord level after asphyxial CA/R in rats. Methods: The rats underwent whole-body IR injury by asphyxial CA/R. Kaplan-Meier analysis was conducted to assess the cumulative survival post-CA/R. The histological changes post-CA/R were evaluated using immunohistochemistry, histofluorescence, and double histofluorescence. Results: No significant differences in body weight, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate were found between the sham and CA/R groups post-CA/R. The survival rates in the CA/R group at 12, 24, and 48 hours were 62.58%, 36.37%, and 7.8%, respectively. Neuronal loss and BSCB leakage began 12 hours post-CA/R, increasing with time. Reactive astrogliosis appeared at 12 hours and increased, while AEF disruption around blood vessels was evident at 48 hours. Conclusion The survival rate declined significantly by 48 hours post-CA/R. Neuronal loss and BSCB leakage in the thoracic spinal cord IMZ was evident at 12 hours and significant by 48 hours, aligning with AEF disruption. Neuronal loss in the thoracic spinal cord IMZ post-CA/R may be related to BSCB leakage and AEF disruption.

Objective: Cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/R) lead to whole-body ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury, causing multiple organ dysfunction, including ischemic spinal cord injury. The thoracic spinal cord levels are crucial for maintaining the sympathetic functions vital for life. This study examined blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) leakage and astrocyte endfeet (AEF) disruption and their effects on survival, physiological variables, and neuronal damage/death in the intermediate zone (IMZ) at the seventh thoracic spinal cord level after asphyxial CA/R in rats. Methods: The rats underwent whole-body IR injury by asphyxial CA/R. Kaplan-Meier analysis was conducted to assess the cumulative survival post-CA/R. The histological changes post-CA/R were evaluated using immunohistochemistry, histofluorescence, and double histofluorescence. Results: No significant differences in body weight, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate were found between the sham and CA/R groups post-CA/R. The survival rates in the CA/R group at 12, 24, and 48 hours were 62.58%, 36.37%, and 7.8%, respectively. Neuronal loss and BSCB leakage began 12 hours post-CA/R, increasing with time. Reactive astrogliosis appeared at 12 hours and increased, while AEF disruption around blood vessels was evident at 48 hours. Conclusion The survival rate declined significantly by 48 hours post-CA/R. Neuronal loss and BSCB leakage in the thoracic spinal cord IMZ was evident at 12 hours and significant by 48 hours, aligning with AEF disruption. Neuronal loss in the thoracic spinal cord IMZ post-CA/R may be related to BSCB leakage and AEF disruption.

Objective: Cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/R) lead to whole-body ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury, causing multiple organ dysfunction, including ischemic spinal cord injury. The thoracic spinal cord levels are crucial for maintaining the sympathetic functions vital for life. This study examined blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) leakage and astrocyte endfeet (AEF) disruption and their effects on survival, physiological variables, and neuronal damage/death in the intermediate zone (IMZ) at the seventh thoracic spinal cord level after asphyxial CA/R in rats. Methods: The rats underwent whole-body IR injury by asphyxial CA/R. Kaplan-Meier analysis was conducted to assess the cumulative survival post-CA/R. The histological changes post-CA/R were evaluated using immunohistochemistry, histofluorescence, and double histofluorescence. Results: No significant differences in body weight, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate were found between the sham and CA/R groups post-CA/R. The survival rates in the CA/R group at 12, 24, and 48 hours were 62.58%, 36.37%, and 7.8%, respectively. Neuronal loss and BSCB leakage began 12 hours post-CA/R, increasing with time. Reactive astrogliosis appeared at 12 hours and increased, while AEF disruption around blood vessels was evident at 48 hours. Conclusion The survival rate declined significantly by 48 hours post-CA/R. Neuronal loss and BSCB leakage in the thoracic spinal cord IMZ was evident at 12 hours and significant by 48 hours, aligning with AEF disruption. Neuronal loss in the thoracic spinal cord IMZ post-CA/R may be related to BSCB leakage and AEF disruption.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Purpose: This study examined the clinical and radiological outcomes of TFNA (Trochanteric Fixation Nail-Advanced) and PFNA-II (Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation-II) used in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures. The association between lateral screw sliding and lateral trochanteric pain was analyzed. Materials and Methods: The study included 116 patients diagnosed with unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures who underwent intramedullary nailing surgery at the author’s hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: 72 who received PFNA-II and 44 who received TFNA. Ten patients with positive greater trochanter tenderness and 106 patients with negative tenderness were assessed for the factors associated with lateral trochanteric pain. The radiological outcomes included an evaluation of fracture union, screw position, tipapex distance, proximal femoral nail protrusion, and lateral sliding length of the helical blade. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Harris Hip Score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, greater trochanter tenderness, and pre- and postoperative ambulation ability. Results: Thirty-three patients (45.8%) of the PFNA-II group and 18 (40.9%) of the TFNA group had lateral sliding of the helical blade, with no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.604). The VAS score was significantly higher in the TFNA group (3.77±1.71) than the PFNA-II group (3.10±1.57, p=0.032). Furthermore, the prevalence of a positive greater trochanter tenderness was significantly higher in the TFNA group (seven patients) than in the PFNA-II group (3 patients, p=0.04). Eight patients had lateral sliding in the positive greater trochanter tenderness group, whereas 43 had lateral sliding in the negative greater trochanter tenderness group (p=0.030). The lateral sliding length was 8.87±5.22 and 2.68±4.47 in the positive and negative groups, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion The PFNA-II and TFNA groups showed favorable clinical and radiological outcomes, suggesting that both devices are suitable for treating unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures. A comparison of the two devices showed that TFNA induces more lateral trochanteric pain than PFNA-II, and the presence and extent of lateral sliding were associated with lateral trochanteric pain.

In this study, the α-amylase inhibitory activity, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity, and Xanthine Oxidase inhibitory activity of the fruiting body extracts of 5 varieties of Agaricus bisporus (AB) were confirmed. First, the α-amylase inhibitory activity of AB12, AB13, AB18, AB34, and AB40 methanol extracts was lower than that of acarbose, a positive control, in all concentration ranges. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the AB40, AB13, and AB12 methanol extracts at the extract concentration of 1.0 mg/mL was 80.5%, 81.3%, and 78.5%, respectively, similar to that of acarbose, a positive control. The pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity of the methanol extract of Agaricus bisporus fruiting body was significantly lower than that of the positive control orlistat in the concentration range of 50 $ 1.000 (mg/mL). The Xanthine Oxidase inhibitory activity was 0.5 $ 8.0 mg/mL of each extract, which was significantly lower than that of the positive control allopurinol in the same concentration range. However, the Xanthine Oxidase inhibitory activity of AB13 and AB40 at 8.0 mg/mL was about 70%, which was higher than that of other mushrooms. In conclusion, five kinds of Agaricus bisporus fruiting bodies seem to have inhibitory effects on enzymes such as α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, and Xanthine Oxidase that degrade starch and protein. In particular, it has an inhibitory effect and a reduction effect on xanthine oxidase that causes gout, so it is expected that it can be developed and used as a food or health supplement with health functional properties through future research.

Background: Upadacitinib is an oral Janus kinase1 (JAK1)-selective inhibitor, which showed a quick and significant effect on patients with atopic dermatitis in several phase 3 clinical studies. Although, an increasing number of studies have reported data on the real-world efficacy and safety of upadacitinib for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, no studies have yet been published in Korea. Objective: We assessed the real-world efficacy and safety of upadacitinib for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in Korean patients. Methods: A total of 17 patients with atopic dermatitis who received 15 mg of oral upadacitinib everyday for 16 weeks, were included in this retrospective single-center study. Based on electronic medical records, the clinical characteristics, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, and adverse events were investigated. Results: The mean EASI score was significantly reduced at 4 weeks of upadacitinib treatment (8.81±9.00) and gradually reduced at week 8 (5.70±7.38), week 12 (4.55±6.23), and week 16 (4.58±6.74) (p＜0.001). At week 16, 61.54%, 30.77%, and 15.38% of patients achieved EASI 75, EASI 90, and EASI 100 responses, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between EASI 75 and EASI 90 by age or gender at week 16 (p＞0.05). A total of 13 people (76.5%) had adverse events, of which acne was the most common. In all patients, the symptoms were mild and self-limited, and no patient discontinued treatment. Conclusion Upadacitinib was effective and safe for Korean patients with atopic dermatitis in real-world clinical practice.

Purpose: The present study examined the effectiveness of the preoperative ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in predicting the healing period of amputation wounds in patients with diabetes mellitus following a non-traumatic below-knee amputation (BKA). Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 41 diabetic foot ulcer patients who underwent BKA at the authors’ hospital diabetic foot center from April 2016 to April 2022. Among the 41 patients, 29 (70.7%) were male and 12 (29.3%) were female. Their mean age was 64.54±11.38 years (41~81 years). The mean follow-up period was 19.48±5.56 weeks (14~48 weeks) after BKA. The patients were divided into two groups (high IMA group and normal IMA group), which evaluated the healing period, wound dehiscence, and revision operation rate using a Fisher's exact test and Mann–Whitney U test. Three orthopedic surgeons performed stump wound evaluation, and they were evaluated as healing when all sutures were fused without oozing. Results: Thirty patients (73.2%) (group A) showed a high level of IMA (median: 91.2 U/mL), and 11 (26.8%) patients (group B) showed a normal range of IMA (median: 82.7 U/mL). In group A, the median period for wound healing took 1.4 weeks longer, which was significant (p=0.001). No statistical relationship was observed between wound dehiscence, revision operation rate, and IMA value. There was no correlation between the other risk factors (estimated glomerular filtration rate, HbA1c) and the wound healing period. Conclusion Although there was a limitation in using IMA as the sole factor to predict the healing period of amputation wounds in patients after BKA, this study revealed a significant positive correlation between IMA and the period of stump healing after BKA. Therefore, the preoperative IMA levels may help predict the period of stump healing after BKA.