Background: The taxonomic status of house mice (Mus musculus) on the Korean Peninsula has long been debated due to conflicting morphological classifications and limited genetic evidence. Historically, three subspecies (M. m.molossinus, M. m. utsuryonis, and M. m. yamashinai) have been proposed based on external traits, although the validity of these proposals remains uncertain. Thus, this study aimed to integrate genetic and morphological analyses to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of Korean mice relative to the well-known primary M. musculus subspecies and evaluate the taxonomic distinctiveness. Results: Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA (cytb gene) from mice across Korea, including islands, mountains, and agricultural fields, confirmed that these mice belong to the Eurasian M. m. musculus lineage. Morphologically, Korean mice exhibited tail ratios consistent with previously assigned subspecies, suggesting these traits represent intraspecific variation within M. m. musculus. Craniometric analyses revealed distinctive features, such as a shorter, narrower premaxillary tooth-patch width and a longer maxillary tooth-row length, thereby distinguishing these mice from laboratory strains derived from M. m. domesticus. These cranial configurations, visualized via three-dimensional micro-computed tomography scans, further supported the morphological divergence of these mice from other subspecies. Conclusions Our findings indicate that Korean house mice belong to a single subspecific group within M. m.musculus, with observed morphological variations reflecting local adaptation rather than distinct taxonomic divisions.The Korean Peninsula likely served as an ecological bridge, facilitating the spatiotemporal diversification of M. m.musculus across East Eurasia. This study resolves longstanding taxonomic ambiguities and underscores the subspecific status of Korean house mice within M. m. musculus. These insights provide a foundation for understanding the biogeographic history of human commensal species and future biomedical research utilizing wild-derived mouse models.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the detection ability of quality of life (QoL) changes and responsiveness of the KOrean QUality of life in Stomach cancer patients Study group (KOQUSS)-40 and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ). Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted to evaluate QoL changes after various gastrectomies between January 2021 and April 2022. Participants were instructed to complete the KOQUSS-40 and EORTC QLQ-C30/STO22 preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. QoL changes over time and QoL responsiveness were assessed for each questionnaire. Results: Data from 491 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer at 22 institutions were analyzed. The summary scores of the KOQUSS-40 and EORTC QLQ-STO22 showed significant differences between the total and proximal gastrectomy groups (p=0.044 and p=0.038, respectively), but no difference was observed for the EORTC QLQ-C30. Dysphagia on the KOQUSS-40 was significantly different between the total and proximal gastrectomy groups (p=0.031); however, dysphagia on the EORTC QLQ-STO22 did not differ. The responsiveness of the KOQUSS-40 was similar to that of the EORTC QLQ in patients who experienced ≥ 10% body weight loss, but approximately 10% less in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy than the EORTC QLQ. Conclusion KOQUSS-40 has several advantages over EORTC QLQ-C30/STO22 when comparing QoL between the total and proximal gastrectomy groups. The findings provide information for researchers investigating the QoL of patients who have undergone curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

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.

Background/Aims: Little is known about the practical clinical application of neuromodulators and psychiatric treatments in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). We investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Korean clinicians regarding the use of neuromodulators and psychiatric treatments for FGIDs. Methods: This prospective, online, cross-sectional study was conducted between May and August 2022. A questionnaire regarding the knowledge, attitude, and practice of neuromodulators and psychiatric treatments for FGIDs was developed and administered to primary care clinicians and gastroenterologists in university hospitals in Korea. Results: Overall, 451 clinicians from primary (n = 179, 39.7%), secondary (n = 113, 25.1%), and tertiary (n = 159, 35.3%) hospitals participated in the survey. Most of them considered that neuromodulators (98.7%) and psychiatric treatment (86.5%) were required for patients with FGIDs. However, approximately one-third of them did not prescribe neuromodulators, mainly due to unfamiliarity with the drugs, and only one-quarter considered psychiatric referral. Compared to gastroenterologists at university hospitals, primary care clinicians’ prescriptions had a lower rate (87.2% vs 64.2%, P < 0.001) and shorter duration of neuromodulator. The psychiatric referral rate was lower for primary care clinicians than for gastroenterologists at university hospitals (19.0% vs 34.2%, P < 0.001). Conclusions Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels regarding neuromodulators and psychiatric treatment among clinicians are inhomogeneous, and a knowledge gap exists between primary care clinicians and gastroenterologists at university hospitals. Encouraging ongoing education for Korean clinicians regarding the appropriate use of neuromodulators and psychiatric treatments in patients with FGIDs is suggested.

Background/Aims: The Gout Impact Scale (GIS), a part of the Gout Assessment Questionnaire 2.0, is used to measure gout-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Although several studies have been conducted on the factors affecting the HRQOL of patients with gout, few have focused on lifestyle factors. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between lifestyle habits and HRQOL using the GIS in patients with gout. Methods: We used data from the Urate-Lowering TheRApy in Gout (ULTRA) registry, a prospective cohort of Korean patients with gout treated at multiple centers nationwide. The patients were aged ≥18 years and met the 2015 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism gout classification criteria. They were asked to complete a GIS and questions regarding their lifestyle habits at enrollment. Results: The study included 232 patients. ‘Gout concern overall’ scores in the GIS were significantly lower in patients who exercised more frequently and consumed soft drinks and meat less, and ‘well-being during attack’ scores were significantly lower in patients who consumed vegetables and exercised more frequently. The frequency of vegetable consumption had a negative linear relationship with the ‘well-being during attack’ and ‘gout concern during attack’ scores (p = 0.01, p = 0.001, respectively). The frequency of exercise had a negative linear relationship with the ‘gout concern overall’ and ‘gout concern during attack’ scores (p = 0.04 and p = 0.002, respectively). Conclusions Patients with gout who frequently consumed vegetables and exercised regularly experienced less impact of gout, exhibiting a better GIS that represented HRQOL.

Background/Aims: Little is known about the practical clinical application of neuromodulators and psychiatric treatments in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). We investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Korean clinicians regarding the use of neuromodulators and psychiatric treatments for FGIDs. Methods: This prospective, online, cross-sectional study was conducted between May and August 2022. A questionnaire regarding the knowledge, attitude, and practice of neuromodulators and psychiatric treatments for FGIDs was developed and administered to primary care clinicians and gastroenterologists in university hospitals in Korea. Results: Overall, 451 clinicians from primary (n = 179, 39.7%), secondary (n = 113, 25.1%), and tertiary (n = 159, 35.3%) hospitals participated in the survey. Most of them considered that neuromodulators (98.7%) and psychiatric treatment (86.5%) were required for patients with FGIDs. However, approximately one-third of them did not prescribe neuromodulators, mainly due to unfamiliarity with the drugs, and only one-quarter considered psychiatric referral. Compared to gastroenterologists at university hospitals, primary care clinicians’ prescriptions had a lower rate (87.2% vs 64.2%, P < 0.001) and shorter duration of neuromodulator. The psychiatric referral rate was lower for primary care clinicians than for gastroenterologists at university hospitals (19.0% vs 34.2%, P < 0.001). Conclusions Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels regarding neuromodulators and psychiatric treatment among clinicians are inhomogeneous, and a knowledge gap exists between primary care clinicians and gastroenterologists at university hospitals. Encouraging ongoing education for Korean clinicians regarding the appropriate use of neuromodulators and psychiatric treatments in patients with FGIDs is suggested.

Background/Aims: Little is known about the practical clinical application of neuromodulators and psychiatric treatments in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). We investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Korean clinicians regarding the use of neuromodulators and psychiatric treatments for FGIDs. Methods: This prospective, online, cross-sectional study was conducted between May and August 2022. A questionnaire regarding the knowledge, attitude, and practice of neuromodulators and psychiatric treatments for FGIDs was developed and administered to primary care clinicians and gastroenterologists in university hospitals in Korea. Results: Overall, 451 clinicians from primary (n = 179, 39.7%), secondary (n = 113, 25.1%), and tertiary (n = 159, 35.3%) hospitals participated in the survey. Most of them considered that neuromodulators (98.7%) and psychiatric treatment (86.5%) were required for patients with FGIDs. However, approximately one-third of them did not prescribe neuromodulators, mainly due to unfamiliarity with the drugs, and only one-quarter considered psychiatric referral. Compared to gastroenterologists at university hospitals, primary care clinicians’ prescriptions had a lower rate (87.2% vs 64.2%, P < 0.001) and shorter duration of neuromodulator. The psychiatric referral rate was lower for primary care clinicians than for gastroenterologists at university hospitals (19.0% vs 34.2%, P < 0.001). Conclusions Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels regarding neuromodulators and psychiatric treatment among clinicians are inhomogeneous, and a knowledge gap exists between primary care clinicians and gastroenterologists at university hospitals. Encouraging ongoing education for Korean clinicians regarding the appropriate use of neuromodulators and psychiatric treatments in patients with FGIDs is suggested.

Purpose: This multi-center, retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the long-term survival in patients who underwent surgical resection for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and to identify the benefit of adjuvant therapy following surgery. Materials and Methods: The data of 213 patients who underwent surgical resection for SCLC at four institutions were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received neoadjuvant therapy or an incomplete resection were excluded. Results: The mean patient age was 65.29±8.93 years, and 184 patients (86.4%) were male. Lobectomies and pneumonectomies were performed in 173 patients (81.2%), and 198 (93%) underwent systematic mediastinal lymph node dissections. Overall, 170 patients (79.8%) underwent adjuvant chemotherapy, 42 (19.7%) underwent radiotherapy to the mediastinum, and 23 (10.8%) underwent prophylactic cranial irradiation. The median follow-up period was 31.08 months (interquartile range, 13.79 to 64.52 months). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival were 53.4% and 46.9%, respectively. The 5-year OS significantly improved after adjuvant chemotherapy in all patients (57.4% vs. 40.3%, p=0.007), and the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy was significant in patients with negative node pathology (70.8% vs. 39.7%, p=0.004). Adjuvant radiotherapy did not affect the 5-year OS (54.6% vs. 48.5%, p=0.458). Age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.032; p=0.017), node metastasis (HR, 2.190; p < 0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy (HR, 0.558; p=0.019) were associated with OS. Conclusion Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical resection in patients with SCLC improved the OS, though adjuvant radiotherapy to the mediastinum did not improve the survival or decrease the locoregional recurrence rate.