1.A unified framework for postoperative complications after gastrectomy for gastric cancer: insights from the Korean Quality Improvement Platform in Surgery program
Jeong Ho SONG ; Chang Seok KO ; Han Hong LEE ; Hong Man YOON ; Hyoung-Il KIM ; In Gyu KWON ; Ji Yeon PARK ; Ji Yeong AN ; Jong Won KIM ; Mi Ran JUNG ; Sang-Il LEE ; Seong Ho KONG ; Sun-Hwi HWANG ; Yun-Suhk SUH ; Sang-Yong SON ; Sang-Uk HAN
Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research 2026;110(5):290-298
Purpose:
Postoperative complications following gastric cancer surgery significantly impact patient outcomes, yet standardized definitions for these events have not been consistently applied across institutions in Korea. This study aimed to develop a consensus-based, standardized complication classification system specific to gastrectomy for gastric cancer as part of the Korean Quality Improvement Platform in Surgery (K-QIPS) initiative.
Methods:
As part of K-QIPS, a dedicated task force team (TFT) was formed with surgical experts from fourteen high-volume hospitals across Korea. The TFT conducted ten formal meetings to review existing literature and international guidelines, and incorporated findings from randomized controlled trials. The final complication list was developed through expert consensus and structured into a standardized framework. A Data Entry Manual was created to support consistent data collection by surgical clinical reviewers.
Results:
The TFT defined specific postoperative complications following gastrectomy for gastric cancer, including anastomotic leakage, duodenal stump leakage, pancreatic fistula, intra-abdominal and luminal bleeding, delayed gastric emptying, and internal hernia. Notably, internal hernia was described in standardized form for the first time. General complications were developed first and overlapped in part with the gastric cancer-specific list. The task force also produced a Data Entry Manual that provides practical instructions to ensure consistency and accuracy in complication reporting.
Conclusion
This nationwide consensus initiative established the first standardized complication classification system for gastric cancer surgery in Korea. The proposed definitions and data entry system are expected to improve complication reporting, enable multicenter research, support surgical quality benchmarking, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.
2.Detection Ability of Quality of Life Changes and Responsiveness of the KOQUSS-40 and the EORTC QLQ-C30/STO22 in Patients Who Underwent Gastrectomy: A Prospective Comparative Study
Bang Wool EOM ; Keun Won RYU ; Ji Yeong AN ; Yun-Suhk SUH ; In CHO ; Sung Geun KIM ; Ji-Ho PARK ; Hoon HUR ; Hyung-Ho KIM ; Sang-Hoon AHN ; Sun-Hwi HWANG ; Hong Man YOON ; Ki Bum PARK ; Hyoung-Il KIM ; In-Gyu KWON ; Han-Kwang YANG ; Byoung-Jo SUH ; Sang-Ho JEONG ; Tae-Han KIM ; Oh Kyoung KWON ; Hye-Seong AHN ; Ji Yeon PARK ; Ki Young YOON ; Myoung Won SON ; Seong-Ho KONG ; Young-Gil SON ; Geum Jong SONG ; Jong Hyuk YUN ; Jung-Min BAE ; Do Joong PARK ; Sol LEE ; Jun-Young YANG ; Kyung Won SEO ; You-Jin JANG ; So Hyun KANG ; Joongyub LEE ; Hyuk-Joon LEE ;
Cancer Research and Treatment 2026;58(1):221-231
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.
3.Early Administration of Nelonemdaz May Improve the Stroke Outcomes in Patients With Acute Stroke
Jin Soo LEE ; Ji Sung LEE ; Seong Hwan AHN ; Hyun Goo KANG ; Tae-Jin SONG ; Dong-Ick SHIN ; Hee-Joon BAE ; Chang Hun KIM ; Sung Hyuk HEO ; Jae-Kwan CHA ; Yeong Bae LEE ; Eung Gyu KIM ; Man Seok PARK ; Hee-Kwon PARK ; Jinkwon KIM ; Sungwook YU ; Heejung MO ; Sung Il SOHN ; Jee Hyun KWON ; Jae Guk KIM ; Young Seo KIM ; Jay Chol CHOI ; Yang-Ha HWANG ; Keun Hwa JUNG ; Soo-Kyoung KIM ; Woo Keun SEO ; Jung Hwa SEO ; Joonsang YOO ; Jun Young CHANG ; Mooseok PARK ; Kyu Sun YUM ; Chun San AN ; Byoung Joo GWAG ; Dennis W. CHOI ; Ji Man HONG ; Sun U. KWON ;
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(2):279-283
4.Quetiapine competitively inhibits 5-HT3 receptor-mediatedcurrents in NCB20 neuroblastoma cells
Yong Soo PARK ; Gyu Min KIM ; Ho Jun SUNG ; Ju Yeong YU ; Ki-Wug SUNG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):373-384
The 5-hydroxytryptamine type3 (5-HT3 ) receptor, a ligand-gated ion channel, plays a critical role in synaptic transmission. It has been implicated in various neuropsychiatric disorders. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic, could inhibit 5-HT3 receptor-mediated currents in NCB20 neuroblastoma cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were used to study effects of quetiapine on receptor ion channel kinetics and its competitive antagonism. Co-application of quetiapine shifted 5-HT concentration-response curve rightward, significantly increasing the EC50 without altering the maximal response (Emax ), suggesting a competitive inhibition. Quetiapine's IC50 varied with 5-HT concentration and treatment condition. The IC50 value of quetiapine was 0.58 μM with 3μM 5-HT and 25.23 μM with 10 μM 5-HT, indicating an inverse relationship between quetiapine efficacy and agonist concentration. Pretreatment of quetiapine significantly enhanced its inhibitory potency, reducing its IC50 from 25.23 μM to 0.20 μM.Interaction kinetics experiments revealed an IC50 of 5.17 μM for an open state of the 5-HT3 receptor, suggesting weaker affinity during receptor activation. Quetiapine also accelerated receptor deactivation and desensitization, suggesting that it could stabilize the receptor in non-conducting states. Additionally, quetiapine significantly prolonged recovery from desensitization without affecting recovery from deactivation, demonstrating its selective impact on receptor kinetics. Inhibition of the 5-HT3 receptor by quetiapine was voltage-independent, and quetiapine exhibited no usedependency, further supporting its role as a competitive antagonist. These findings provide insights into inhibitory mechanism of quetiapine on 5-HT3 receptor and suggest its potential therapeutic implications for modulating serotonergic pathways in neuropsychiatric disorders.
5.Haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic, inhibits 5-HT3 receptor-mediated currents in NCB-20 cells: a whole-cell patch-clamp study
Yong Soo PARK ; Gyu Min KIM ; Ho Jun SUNG ; Ju Yeong YU ; Ki-Wug SUNG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):349-358
Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic drug effective in alleviating positive symptoms of schizophrenia by blocking dopamine receptor 2 (DR2). However, it is also known to produce neuropsychiatric effects by acting on various targets other than DR. In this study, we investigated effect of haloperidol on function of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 3 receptor, a ligand-gated ion channel belonging to the serotonin receptor family using the whole-cell voltage clamp technique and NCB20 neuroblastoma cells. When co-applied with 5-HT, haloperidol inhibited 5-HT3 receptormediated currents in a concentration-dependent manner. A reduction in maximal effect (E max ) and an increase in EC 50 observed during co-application indicated that haloperidol could act as a non-competitive antagonist of 5-HT3 receptors. Haloperidol inhibited the activation of 5-HT3 receptor, while also accelerating their deactivation and desensitization. The inhibitory effect of haloperidol showed no significant difference between pre- and co-application. Haloperidol did not alter the reversal potential of 5-HT3 receptor currents. Furthermore, haloperidol did not affect recovery from deactivation or desensitization of 5-HT3 receptors. It did not show a use-dependent inhibition either. These findings suggest that haloperidol can exert its inhibitory effect on 5-HT3 receptors by allosterically preventing opening of ion channels. This mechanistic insight enhances our understanding of relationships between 5-HT3 receptors and pharmacological actions of antipsychotics.
6.Prospective Multicenter Observational Study on Postoperative Quality of Life According to Type of Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer
Sung Eun OH ; Yun-Suhk SUH ; Ji Yeong AN ; Keun Won RYU ; In CHO ; Sung Geun KIM ; Ji-Ho PARK ; Hoon HUR ; Hyung-Ho KIM ; Sang-Hoon AHN ; Sun-Hwi HWANG ; Hong Man YOON ; Ki Bum PARK ; Hyoung-Il KIM ; In Gyu KWON ; Han-Kwang YANG ; Byoung-Jo SUH ; Sang-Ho JEONG ; Tae-Han KIM ; Oh Kyoung KWON ; Hye Seong AHN ; Ji Yeon PARK ; Ki Young YOON ; Myoung Won SON ; Seong-Ho KONG ; Young-Gil SON ; Geum Jong SONG ; Jong Hyuk YUN ; Jung-Min BAE ; Do Joong PARK ; Sol LEE ; Jun-Young YANG ; Kyung Won SEO ; You-Jin JANG ; So Hyun KANG ; Bang Wool EOM ; Joongyub LEE ; Hyuk-Joon LEE ;
Journal of Gastric Cancer 2025;25(2):382-399
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.
7.Quetiapine competitively inhibits 5-HT3 receptor-mediatedcurrents in NCB20 neuroblastoma cells
Yong Soo PARK ; Gyu Min KIM ; Ho Jun SUNG ; Ju Yeong YU ; Ki-Wug SUNG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):373-384
The 5-hydroxytryptamine type3 (5-HT3 ) receptor, a ligand-gated ion channel, plays a critical role in synaptic transmission. It has been implicated in various neuropsychiatric disorders. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic, could inhibit 5-HT3 receptor-mediated currents in NCB20 neuroblastoma cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were used to study effects of quetiapine on receptor ion channel kinetics and its competitive antagonism. Co-application of quetiapine shifted 5-HT concentration-response curve rightward, significantly increasing the EC50 without altering the maximal response (Emax ), suggesting a competitive inhibition. Quetiapine's IC50 varied with 5-HT concentration and treatment condition. The IC50 value of quetiapine was 0.58 μM with 3μM 5-HT and 25.23 μM with 10 μM 5-HT, indicating an inverse relationship between quetiapine efficacy and agonist concentration. Pretreatment of quetiapine significantly enhanced its inhibitory potency, reducing its IC50 from 25.23 μM to 0.20 μM.Interaction kinetics experiments revealed an IC50 of 5.17 μM for an open state of the 5-HT3 receptor, suggesting weaker affinity during receptor activation. Quetiapine also accelerated receptor deactivation and desensitization, suggesting that it could stabilize the receptor in non-conducting states. Additionally, quetiapine significantly prolonged recovery from desensitization without affecting recovery from deactivation, demonstrating its selective impact on receptor kinetics. Inhibition of the 5-HT3 receptor by quetiapine was voltage-independent, and quetiapine exhibited no usedependency, further supporting its role as a competitive antagonist. These findings provide insights into inhibitory mechanism of quetiapine on 5-HT3 receptor and suggest its potential therapeutic implications for modulating serotonergic pathways in neuropsychiatric disorders.
8.Haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic, inhibits 5-HT3 receptor-mediated currents in NCB-20 cells: a whole-cell patch-clamp study
Yong Soo PARK ; Gyu Min KIM ; Ho Jun SUNG ; Ju Yeong YU ; Ki-Wug SUNG
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):349-358
Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic drug effective in alleviating positive symptoms of schizophrenia by blocking dopamine receptor 2 (DR2). However, it is also known to produce neuropsychiatric effects by acting on various targets other than DR. In this study, we investigated effect of haloperidol on function of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 3 receptor, a ligand-gated ion channel belonging to the serotonin receptor family using the whole-cell voltage clamp technique and NCB20 neuroblastoma cells. When co-applied with 5-HT, haloperidol inhibited 5-HT3 receptormediated currents in a concentration-dependent manner. A reduction in maximal effect (E max ) and an increase in EC 50 observed during co-application indicated that haloperidol could act as a non-competitive antagonist of 5-HT3 receptors. Haloperidol inhibited the activation of 5-HT3 receptor, while also accelerating their deactivation and desensitization. The inhibitory effect of haloperidol showed no significant difference between pre- and co-application. Haloperidol did not alter the reversal potential of 5-HT3 receptor currents. Furthermore, haloperidol did not affect recovery from deactivation or desensitization of 5-HT3 receptors. It did not show a use-dependent inhibition either. These findings suggest that haloperidol can exert its inhibitory effect on 5-HT3 receptors by allosterically preventing opening of ion channels. This mechanistic insight enhances our understanding of relationships between 5-HT3 receptors and pharmacological actions of antipsychotics.
9.Early Administration of Nelonemdaz May Improve the Stroke Outcomes in Patients With Acute Stroke
Jin Soo LEE ; Ji Sung LEE ; Seong Hwan AHN ; Hyun Goo KANG ; Tae-Jin SONG ; Dong-Ick SHIN ; Hee-Joon BAE ; Chang Hun KIM ; Sung Hyuk HEO ; Jae-Kwan CHA ; Yeong Bae LEE ; Eung Gyu KIM ; Man Seok PARK ; Hee-Kwon PARK ; Jinkwon KIM ; Sungwook YU ; Heejung MO ; Sung Il SOHN ; Jee Hyun KWON ; Jae Guk KIM ; Young Seo KIM ; Jay Chol CHOI ; Yang-Ha HWANG ; Keun Hwa JUNG ; Soo-Kyoung KIM ; Woo Keun SEO ; Jung Hwa SEO ; Joonsang YOO ; Jun Young CHANG ; Mooseok PARK ; Kyu Sun YUM ; Chun San AN ; Byoung Joo GWAG ; Dennis W. CHOI ; Ji Man HONG ; Sun U. KWON ;
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(2):279-283
10.Prospective Multicenter Observational Study on Postoperative Quality of Life According to Type of Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer
Sung Eun OH ; Yun-Suhk SUH ; Ji Yeong AN ; Keun Won RYU ; In CHO ; Sung Geun KIM ; Ji-Ho PARK ; Hoon HUR ; Hyung-Ho KIM ; Sang-Hoon AHN ; Sun-Hwi HWANG ; Hong Man YOON ; Ki Bum PARK ; Hyoung-Il KIM ; In Gyu KWON ; Han-Kwang YANG ; Byoung-Jo SUH ; Sang-Ho JEONG ; Tae-Han KIM ; Oh Kyoung KWON ; Hye Seong AHN ; Ji Yeon PARK ; Ki Young YOON ; Myoung Won SON ; Seong-Ho KONG ; Young-Gil SON ; Geum Jong SONG ; Jong Hyuk YUN ; Jung-Min BAE ; Do Joong PARK ; Sol LEE ; Jun-Young YANG ; Kyung Won SEO ; You-Jin JANG ; So Hyun KANG ; Bang Wool EOM ; Joongyub LEE ; Hyuk-Joon LEE ;
Journal of Gastric Cancer 2025;25(2):382-399
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.

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