Background: This study examined the public’s perceptions of repeat dispensing as one of the measures to reduce the harmful effects of long-term prescriptions in Korea. Methods: From January 11 to 25, 2021, an online survey was conducted for adults using convenience sampling. A self-developed questionnaire was used. Results: There were 310 respondents, of which 228(73.5%) preferred repeat dispensing. When considering the additional fee payment, 188 (60.6%) preferred repeat dispensing, and54 (67.5%) out of a total of 80 chronic disease patients preferred it. It was confirmed that there was a difference in the willingnessto repeat dispensing considering the additional cost depending on whether the patient had a chronic disease and the distance from home to the nearest pharmacy. As a result of subgroup analysis for patients with chronic diseases, frequency of outpatient visit, number of prescription days, method of packaging pharmaceuticals, and distance from home to the nearest pharmacy were iden-tified as variables that could well predict the willingness to repeat dispensing considering paying additional fees. The preferencefor repeat dispensing may vary depending on conditions such as additional cost range, frequency and period of prescription use, disease and patient characteristics, so a careful approach is necessary. Conclusion It is necessary for the government to consider the introduction of repeat dispensing with interest in the public demand.

Pancreatic cancer typically presents as a focal hypoechoic, hypovascular solid mass with irregular margins on ultrasound. Pancreatic tail disease can be difficult to detect on abdominal ultrasonography. A 75-year-old man visited our institution with upper abdominal pain. We successfully visualized a pancreatic tail mass on abdominal transsplenic scan and multiple liver masses via abdominal transverse scan. His diagnosis was confirmed as pancreatic tail cancer with liver metastasis following endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy. Abdominal transsplenic scan proved valuable for diagnosing pancreatic tail disease because abdominal ultrasound has limited utility for evaluating pancreatic tail masses due to obscuration by bowel gas.

Purpose: It is essential to investigate the users’ needs in developing user-centered, family-based applications (apps) for managing childhood obesity. Methods: This study conducted focus group interviews with ten parents, ten children, and four app developers to investigate the need to develop a family-based mobile app for childhood obesity. The interview period was from July 17 to August 30, 2023. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The results highlighted 31 key themes critical to family-based app development, including the need for comprehensive content promoting healthy lifestyle habits, tailored expert support, and motivational factors for app engagement, which were categorized as intrinsic, extrinsic, and social motivations and technological features. Participants also highlighted potential challenges, such as app usability issues and the need for a user-friendly interface. The pivotal role of parents in guiding and supporting their children’s health behaviors was emphasized, particularly in creating a supportive environment that encourages sustained engagement with the app. Conclusion These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the needs and preferences of parents, children, and app developers in managing childhood obesity. Emphasis on integrating healthy lifestyle content, providing expert support, and incorporating motivational strategies is crucial for the app’s success. Additionally, addressing potential difficulties and recognizing the pivotal role of parents are essential considerations. These insights will inform the design and development of a user-centered mobile app that supports families in managing childhood obesity.

Background/Aims: Pancreatic cancer poses significant challenges due to its tendency for late-stage diagnosis and high mortality rates. Cryoablation, a technique used to treat various types of cancer, has shown potential in enhancing the prognosis of pancreatic cancer when combined with other therapies. However, its implementation is often limited by the need for lengthy procedures and specialized equipment. This study aims to develop a cryoablation needle optimized for endoscopic ultrasonography to simplify its application in treating pancreatic cancer. Methods: The study involved conducting cryoablation experiments on swine liver tissue. It utilized cryo-needles to evaluate the extent of cell death across various temperatures and durations of cryoablation. Results: The cryoablation system, which employed liquid carbon dioxide, achieved rapid cooling, reaching temperatures below –60 °C within 30 seconds and maintained the cryoablation process for 200 seconds. These conditions resulted in necrosis of the liver tissue. Notable cellular changes were observed up to 15 mm away from the cryoablation needle. Conclusions This experimental study successfully demonstrated the efficacy of using a cryo-needle for cryoablation in swine liver tissue. Further trials involving pancreatic tissue are expected to verify its effectiveness, underscoring the importance of continued research to establish its role as a complementary therapy in pancreatic cancer treatment.

Endosalpingiosis is a benign, non-neoplastic disease in which glandular tissue lined with ciliated tubal epithelium is ectopically present outside the fallopian tubes. Endosalpingiosis is rarely observed in the pelvic organs and its occurrence in the urinary bladder is particularly uncommon. Herein, we present a case of endosalpingiosis in the urinary bladder of a 62-year-old woman, which mimicked a bladder neoplasm, along with the corresponding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. The mass was a subepithelial lesion in the posterior portion of the urinary bladder dome. The lesion exhibited multiple cystic components with T2 high-intensity foci and mild heterogeneous enhancement on T1-weighted images. If there is a non-epithelial mass in the urinary bladder, especially on the posterior wall or dome, and the lesion exhibits MRI findings as described above, it is important to consider differential diagnoses, such as a non-neoplastic disease like endosalpingiosis.

Background: This study examined the public’s perceptions of repeat dispensing as one of the measures to reduce the harmful effects of long-term prescriptions in Korea. Methods: From January 11 to 25, 2021, an online survey was conducted for adults using convenience sampling. A self-developed questionnaire was used. Results: There were 310 respondents, of which 228(73.5%) preferred repeat dispensing. When considering the additional fee payment, 188 (60.6%) preferred repeat dispensing, and54 (67.5%) out of a total of 80 chronic disease patients preferred it. It was confirmed that there was a difference in the willingnessto repeat dispensing considering the additional cost depending on whether the patient had a chronic disease and the distance from home to the nearest pharmacy. As a result of subgroup analysis for patients with chronic diseases, frequency of outpatient visit, number of prescription days, method of packaging pharmaceuticals, and distance from home to the nearest pharmacy were iden-tified as variables that could well predict the willingness to repeat dispensing considering paying additional fees. The preferencefor repeat dispensing may vary depending on conditions such as additional cost range, frequency and period of prescription use, disease and patient characteristics, so a careful approach is necessary. Conclusion It is necessary for the government to consider the introduction of repeat dispensing with interest in the public demand.

Combination therapy with checkpoint inhibitors blocks inhibitory immune cell signaling and improves clinical responses to anticancer treatments. However, continued development of innovative and controllable delivery systems for immune-stimulating agents is necessary to optimize clinical responses. Herein, we engineered Salmonella to deliver recombinant granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in a controllable manner for combination treatment with a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. The engineered Salmonella enabled delivery of recombinant GM-CSF into mouse tumors, activating recruitment of immune cells, such as M1-polarized macrophages, dendritic cells, and CD8⁺ T cells. Combination treatment with the PD-L1 inhibitor and engineered Salmonella increased the survival rate of tumor-bearing mice by 25%. New tumor growth was strongly suppressed, and visible tumors disappeared at 120 days post-infection (dpi) in mice rechallenged with additional tumor implantation at 100 dpi. The number of memory T cells increased >2-fold in tumor-rechallenged mice. Our findings demonstrate superiority of the engineered Salmonella as a cancer therapeutic agent with precise targeting ability, immune-boosting activity, and ease of combination with other therapeutics.

An ilio-iliac arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is rare. Common factors leading to ilio-iliac AVF include congenital malformations, iatrogeny, and trauma. There is limited documentation in the literature of cases involving ilio-iliac AVF with May-Thurner syndrome. Here, we present a case of an ilio-iliac AVF with May-Thurner syndrome in an 80-year-old male. CT and angiography confirmed extensive ilio-iliac AVF. Successful endovascular procedures for ilio-iliac AVF were performed using several variablesized coils and 1400–2000 µm gelatin particles. After embolization, follow-up abdominopelvic CT revealed an improvement in edema in the left leg.

Primary rectal syphilis is a rare disease that can be misdiagnosed as lymphoma or other rectal cancers on sigmoidoscopy or CT. Here, we report a case of primary rectal syphilis mimicking rectal malignancy in a 23-year-old male who presented with a rectal mass and multiple lymphadenopathies. In this case report and literature review, we focused on the CT findings and endoscopic observations of primary rectal syphilis. Infectious diseases, such as rectal syphilis, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of young patients with unusual rectal lesions and disproportionately extensive lymphadenopathies.