Background: This study aims to compare the effects of short- and intermediate-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) on hemoglobin (Hb) variability in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 119 patients who were classified into two groups based on ESA type: short-acting ESA (epoetin alfa/beta [EPO], n=48) and intermediate-acting ESA (darbepoetin alfa [DPO], n=71). Hb levels were measured 11 times at 4-week intervals from ESA therapy initiation to 40 weeks of follow-up. This study used established metrics from previous research, including standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), and residual SD, to quantify Hb variability. Results: Over the 40-week study period with 4-week measurement intervals, mean Hb levels were comparable between the two ESA groups. In the EPO and DPO groups, SD was 0.67±0.19 g/dL and 0.69±0.22 g/dL, respectively (p=0.516), CV was 0.06±0.02 and 0.07±0.02, respectively (p=0.480), and residual SD was 0.73±0.21 g/dL and 0.76±0.26 g/dL, respectively (p=0.463). No significant differences in Hb variability were observed between the groups over 40 weeks using SD, CV, and residual SD. Conclusion This retrospective cohort study showed comparable mean Hb levels and Hb variability indices between groups. With respect to Hb variability, the findings reveal no clear basis for prioritizing either short-acting or intermediate-acting ESA.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a zoonotic arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes and poses a significant public health concern. JEV is classified into 5 genotypes (G1–G5). Since 2010, JEV genotype 5 (G5) has been predominant in the Republic of Korea; however, a specific antigen for hemagglutination (HA) inhibition (HI) assays has been lacking. This study aimed to develop a novel antigen to enable genotype-specific HI antibody detection for JEV G5. The Sangju strain of JEV G5 was serially passaged 30 times in Vero and C6/36 cells, resulting in Sangju-30, which exhibited 2 envelope protein mutations and an HA titer of 8, increasing to 512 following polyethylene glycol 8000 concentration. The antigen demonstrated a strong correlation (R = 0.95, p < 0.05, 95% confidence interval, 6.3–31.9) with HI antibody levels in pig sera. These findings suggest that the Sangju-30 antigen is a viable alternative for JEV G5 serological monitoring, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and offering a replacement for traditional murine-derived antigen production.

A race-free glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation equation has recently been developed. However, the performance of the new Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations needs to be evaluated in Asian populations. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study at a single center in South Korea. The measured GFR (mGFR) was determined based on systemic inulin clearance. The GFR was estimated using the five CKD-EPI equations: 2009 CKD-EPIcr, 2012 CKD-EPIcr-cys, 2012 CKD-EPIcys, 2021 CKD-EPIcr, and 2021 CKD-EPIcr-cys. The performances of five estimated GFR (eGFR) equations were assessed by bias, precision, and accuracy (percentage of estimates within 30% of mGFR). Results: The median mGFR and interquartile range (IQR) was 53.5 (32.4–80.0) mL/min/1.73 m2. The mGFR better correlated with 2009 CKD-EPIcr (ρ = 0.628) and 2021 CKD-EPIcr-cys (ρ = 0.806) than with 2021 CKD-EPIcr (ρ = 0.623) and 2012 CKD-EPIcr-cys (ρ = 0.801). The median bias of 2009 CKD-EPIcr and 2012 CKD-EPIcr-cys were lower than those of 2021 CKD-EPI equations (2009 CKD-EPIcr, 2.24 [IQR, –8.83 to 17.39] vs. 2021 CKD-EPIcr, 5.40 [IQR, –6.04 to 20.40]; 2012 CKD-EPIcr-cys, 6.74 [IQR, –2.81 to 20.80] vs. 2021 CKD-EPIcr-cys, 10.54 [IQR, 0.30–24.37]; all in mL/min/1.73 m2). The percentage of eGFR values within 30% of mGFR was higher in 2009 CKD-EPIcr and 2012 CKD-EPIcr-cys equations than 2021 CKD-EPI equations. The CKD prevalence in 2009 CKD-EPIcr, 2021 CKD-EPIcr, 2012 CKD-EPIcr-cys, and 2021 CKD-EPIcr-cys was 54.8%, 51.0%, 47.7%, and 44.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated better performance of the original CKD-EPIcr and CKD-EPIcr-cys equations than the 2021 new CKD-EPI equations. We do not recommend the adoption of the new CKD-EPI equations in Korea.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term cumulative survival rate (CSR) of dental implants with micro-threads in the neck over a 10-year follow-up period and to examine the factors influencing the survival rate of dental implants. Methods: This retrospective study was based on radiographic and dental records. In total, 151 patients received 490 Oneplant ® dental implants with an implant neck micro-thread design during 2006–2010 in the Department of Periodontology of Seoul National University Dental Hospital. Implant survival was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to identify the factors influencing implant failure. Results: Ten out of 490 implants (2.04%) failed due to fixture fracture. The CSR of the implants was 97.9%, and no significant difference was observed in the CSR between externaland internal-implant types (98.2% and 97.6%, respectively,P=0.670). In Cox regression analysis, 2-stage surgery significantly increased the risk of implant failure (hazard ratio: 4.769, P=0.039). There were no significant differences in influencing factors, including sex, age, implant diameter, length, fixture type, location, surgical procedure, bone grafting, and restoration type. Conclusions Within the limitations of this retrospective study, the micro-thread design of the implant neck was found to be favorable for implant survival, with stable clinical outcomes.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to compare a nutritionally balanced soft blend diet (SBD) with a soft fluid diet (SFD) on the health of inpatients who have undergone oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgery, ultimately aiming to enhance care outcomes, improve healthrelated quality of life (QOL), and increase satisfaction with the hospital. Methods: Thirty-two patients were randomized into two groups: sixteen received SFD and sixteen received SBD. Anthropometric, laboratory evaluations were conducted upon admission and discharge. Patients filled out questionnaires on demographics, diet satisfaction, food intake amount, and health-related QOL on the day of discharge, assessed using the EuroQoL 5 Dimensions 3 Level and EuroQoL Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) instruments. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, χ 2 tests for group differences, and paired nonparametric t-tests for within-group comparisons. The Mann-Whitney U test evaluated inter-group differences in preoperative weight and body mass index (BMI), postoperative changes, meal satisfaction, intake, health-related QOL, and self-assessed health status. P-values were set at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The SBD group had higher dietary intake (63.2% vs. 51.0%) and greater diet satisfaction (80.6 vs. 48.1, P < 0.0001) compared to SFD group. Health-related QOL, measured by EQ-VAS, was better in SBD group (70.3 vs. 58.8, P < 0.05). Postoperative weight and BMI decreased in SFD group but increased in SBD group (P < 0.01). Changes in laboratory results showed more stability in the SBD group. No postoperative infections were reported in SBD group, whereas SFD group had a 31.25% complication rate. Conclusions While SFD is often recommended after OMF surgery to protect oral wound healing process, our study reveals that SBD not only enhances physical and psychological outcomes but also, somewhat unexpectedly, supports wound healing and reduces complications. Essentially, SBD promotes physical recovery and enhances health-related QOL than SFD by supporting both somatic and mental healing aspects.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers in Korea and the world. Since 2004, this is the 4th gastric cancer guideline published in Korea which is the revised version of previous evidence-based approach in 2018. Current guideline is a collaborative work of the interdisciplinary working group including experts in the field of gastric surgery, gastroenterology, endoscopy, medical oncology, abdominal radiology, pathology, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology and guideline development methodology. Total of 33 key questions were updated or proposed after a collaborative review by the working group and 40 statements were developed according to the systematic review using the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and KoreaMed database. The level of evidence and the grading of recommendations were categorized according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation proposition. Evidence level, benefit, harm, and clinical applicability was considered as the significant factors for recommendation. The working group reviewed recommendations and discussed for consensus. In the earlier part, general consideration discusses screening, diagnosis and staging of endoscopy, pathology, radiology, and nuclear medicine. Flowchart is depicted with statements which is supported by meta-analysis and references. Since clinical trial and systematic review was not suitable for postoperative oncologic and nutritional follow-up, working group agreed to conduct a nationwide survey investigating the clinical practice of all tertiary or general hospitals in Korea. The purpose of this survey was to provide baseline information on follow up. Herein we present a multidisciplinary-evidence based gastric cancer guideline.

The first edition of ‘A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer’ was initiated by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists and published 17 years ago. Since then, significant advances have been made in the pathologic diagnosis, molecular genetics, and management of gastric cancer (GC). To reflect those changes, a committee for publishing a second edition of the report was formed within the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists. This second edition consists of two parts: standard data elements and conditional data elements.The standard data elements contain the basic pathologic findings and items necessary to predict the prognosis of GC patients, and they are adequate for routine surgical pathology service. Other diagnostic and prognostic factors relevant to adjuvant therapy, including molecular biomarkers, are classified as conditional data elements to allow each pathologist to selectively choose items appropriate to the environment in their institution. We trust that the standardized pathology report will be helpful for GC diagnosis and facilitate large-scale multidisciplinary collaborative studies.

The first edition of ‘A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer’ was initiated by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists and published 17 years ago. Since then, significant advances have been made in the pathologic diagnosis, molecular genetics, and management of gastric cancer (GC). To reflect those changes, a committee for publishing a second edition of the report was formed within the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists. This second edition consists of two parts: standard data elements and conditional data elements. The standard data elements contain the basic pathologic findings and items necessary to predict the prognosis of GC patients, and they are adequate for routine surgical pathology service. Other diagnostic and prognostic factors relevant to adjuvant therapy, including molecular biomarkers, are classified as conditional data elements to allow each pathologist to selectively choose items appropriate to the environment in their institution. We trust that the standardized pathology report will be helpful for GC diagnosis and facilitate large-scale multidisciplinary collaborative studies.

Background: Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB) proteins are sequencespecific RNA-binding proteins that control translation via cytoplasmic polyadenylation. We previously reported that CPEB1 or CPEB4 knockdown suppresses TAK1 and SMAD signaling in an in vitro study. Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether suppression of CPEB1 or CPEB4 expression inhibits scar formation in a mice model of acute dermal wound healing. Methods: CPEB1 and CPEB4 expression levels were suppressed by siRNA treatment. Skin wounds were created by pressure-induced ulcers in mice. Images of the wound healing were obtained using a digital camera and contraction was measured by ImageJ. mRNA and protein expression was analyzed using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. Results: Wound contraction was significantly decreased by pre-treatment with CPEB1 or CPEB4 siRNA compared to the control. Suppression of CPEB1 or CPEB4 expression decreased TAK1 signaling by reducing the levels of TLR4 and TNF-α, phosphorylated TAK1, p38, ERK, JNK, and NF-κB-p65. Decreased levels of phosphorylated SMAD2 and SMAD3 indicated a reduction in SMAD signaling as well. Consequently, the expression of α-SMA, fibronectin, and type I collagen decreased. Conclusion CPEB1 siRNA or CPEB4 siRNA inhibit scar formation by modulating the TAK1 and SMAD signaling pathways. Our study highlights CPEB1 and CPEB4 as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of scar formation.