Purpose: Psychiatric conditions are common in children and adolescents with diabetes and can hinder disease management. In this study, we examined whether mental health status at diagnosis predicts glycemic control at 1 year. Methods: We included 57 patients aged 6–18 years diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes between 2019 and 2023 at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Mental health was assessed within 3 months of diagnosis using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Children’s Depression Inventory, and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for ages 6–18. Poor glycemic control was defined as glycated hemoglobin >6.5% at 1 year. Associations between screening results and glycemic control were analyzed using Fisher exact test and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Of the 57 patients, 32 (56.1%) had type 1 diabetes, and the mean age at diagnosis was 12.9±3.1 years; 31 (54.4%) were male. Poor glycemic control at 1 year was observed in 16 patients (28.1%). Although individual subscale positivity was not significantly associated with glycemic control, borderline somatic complaints on the CBCL were significantly associated with poor control (p=0.022). In multivariate analysis, having 2 or more positive CBCL subscales showed a trend toward association with poor glycemic control (adjusted odds ratio=21.47, p=0.054). Conclusion Early psychological screening, especially for somatic symptoms or multiple psychological problems, may help identify those at risk for poor glycemic control in pediatric diabetes. These findings underscore the importance of early detection and intervention in optimizing diabetes management.

Background: Despite advancements in laboratory animal facility management, pinworm infections remain a persistent issue in immunodeficient mouse colonies. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are crucial to mitigating potential scientific and economic consequences. Effective control requires both the administration of anthelmintic agents and rigorous environmental decontamination. However, the safety and efficacy of these treatments in genetically modified mouse models remains uncertain.Case presentation Aspiculuris tetraptera infestation was identified in multiple immunodeficient mouse models housed in a laboratory facility. Diagnosis was confirmed through fecal flotation for egg detection and necropsy for adult worm examination in the large intestines. Mice received three subcutaneous ivermectin injections at two-week intervals, coupled with environmental decontamination using ivermectin spray for four consecutive weeks. Following treatment, all colonies tested negative for A. tetraptera without any mortality. Conclusions A combination of subcutaneous ivermectin injection and environmental spray application effectively eradicated A. tetraptera infestation in immunodeficient mouse colonies. The treatment protocol led to the complete elimination of eggs and adult worms, offering a practical strategy for managing pinworm infections in genetically modified mouse models. Limitations include the small sample size, and the lack of a comprehensive evaluation of physiological and metabolic safety in immunodeficient mice. Further validation will be required to confirm the broader applicability of this approach.

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: Although pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease, its incidence increased rapidly in Guro-gu, Seoul, since May 2024. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of pertussis cases and outbreaks during this period. Methods: Data from epidemiologic investigations of 355 laboratory-confirmed pertussis cases reported in 2024 in Guro-gu, Seoul, were analyzed using national surveillance records. Demographics, vaccination status, outbreak-associated educational settings, and symptom-to-test intervals were analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. Results: Between May and December 2024, 355 cases were reported, 85.4% of which occurred among school-aged children and adolescents, representing a marked increase compared with previous years. Outbreaks were identified in two elementary schools, three middle schools, and four private academies, indicating clustered transmission in educational settings, with school-based attack rates ranging from 3.2% to 6.3%. Among 146 outbreak-associated school cases, 95.4% had completed age-appropriate vaccination on time. The symptom-to-test interval showed a right-skewed distribution (median, 6 days; interquartile range, 3–11), with longer delays observed in high school students. Conclusion The sharp increase in pertussis cases among school-aged children underscores the need for strengthened surveillance in educational settings and improved timeliness of testing to reduce transmission. Delays in symptom-to-test intervals and the occurrence of cases despite age-appropriate vaccination suggest possible waning immunity, highlighting the importance of evaluating booster vaccination strategies and targeted age-specific public health interventions.

Purpose: Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms may improve following surgical correction of cystocele. This study aimed to evaluate changes in urgency, the primary symptom of OAB, and identify factors associated with improvement in urgency after surgical treatment for cystocele. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records for patients who underwent surgical treatment for cystocele and had preoperative urgency measuring ≥3 on a 5-point urinary sensation scale. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on their urgency status 3 months postsurgery: those with improved urgency and those without improvement. Improvement was defined as a reduction of 2 or more points on the scale following surgery. We compared preoperative clinical and urodynamic factors between the 2 groups. Results: A total of 137 patients were included in the study, with 98 (71.5%) showing improvement in urgency symptoms after surgery. The improved group had a significantly higher prevalence of preoperative urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) (62.2% vs. 30.8%, P=0.001) and bladder outlet obstruction (43.9% vs. 20.5%, P=0.011) compared to the nonimproved group. Urodynamic evaluations indicated that the detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate (PdetQmax) was significantly higher in the improved group than in the nonimproved group (P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified preoperative UUI, higher PdetQmax, and lower vaginal parity as independent predictors of improvement in urgency postoperatively. Conclusions Preoperative UUI, higher PdetQmax, and lower vaginal parity were significant predictors of postoperative improvement in urgency. Both clinical and urodynamic factors may help identify patients with cystocele and preoperative urgency who are most likely to benefit from anatomical correction.

ObjectiveThe theory of homotherapy for heteropathy is one of the classical rules in traditional Chinese medicine. Taking this theory as a breakthrough point， this study employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） to elucidate the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of Zhuyuwan on both intrahepatic cholestasis （IC） and ulcerative colitis （UC） from the viewpoint of serum metabolic homeostasis. MethodsThe rat models of α-naphthylisothiocyanate （ANIT）-induced cholestasis and 2，4，6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid （TNBS）-induced UC were treated with low （0.6 g·kg^-1） and high （1.2 g·kg^-1） doses of Zhuyuwan by gavage. In the experiment regarding IC， 24 Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly assigned into four groups： normal， ANIT model， low-dose Zhuyuwan， and high-dose Zhuyuwan. In the experiment regarding UC， 24 SD rats were randomly allocated into four groups： normal， TNBS model， low-dose Zhuyuwan， and high-dose Zhuyuwan. Firstly， the two disease models and the intervention effects of Zhuyuwan on the two diseases were evaluated based on serum levels of biochemical indicators ［alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase （AST）， γ-glutamyltranspeptidase （γ-GT）， and total bile acid （TBA）］， colon damage score， colon weight index， disease activity index， and histopathological changes in rats. Secondly， the rat serum samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） to screen the common core pathways of the two disease models， and the expression of core genes in the pathways was determined by Real-time PCR， on the basis of which the biological mechanism of the treatment of the two disease models by Zhuyuwan was ultimately elucidated. ResultsThe results of the experiment regarding IC showed that the ANIT model group had higher ALT， AST， γ-GT， and TBA levels than the normal group （P<0.01）. Compared with the ANIT model group， the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showed declined ALT and TBA levels （P<0.01） and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed lowered ALT， TBA， AST， and γ-GT levels （P<0.01）. The results of the experiment regarding UC showed that compared with the normal group， the TNBS model group presented increases in the colonic damage score， colon weight index， and disease activity index （P<0.01）. Compared with the TNBS model group， the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showcased declines in colon weight index （P<0.01） and disease activity index （P<0.05）， and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed reductions in the colon damage score， colon weight index， and disease activity index （P<0.01）. GC-MS metabolomics analysis combined with qRT-PCR demonstrated that Zhuyuwan had a similar inverse regulatory effect on arginine metabolism disruption in the above two disease models. ConclusionZhuyuwan exhibited definite therapeutic effects on both IC and UC， and the regulation of arginine biosynthesis pathway is the core mechanism for the treatment of both diseases by Zhuyuwan.

ObjectiveThe theory of homotherapy for heteropathy is one of the classical rules in traditional Chinese medicine. Taking this theory as a breakthrough point， this study employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） to elucidate the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of Zhuyuwan on both intrahepatic cholestasis （IC） and ulcerative colitis （UC） from the viewpoint of serum metabolic homeostasis. MethodsThe rat models of α-naphthylisothiocyanate （ANIT）-induced cholestasis and 2，4，6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid （TNBS）-induced UC were treated with low （0.6 g·kg^-1） and high （1.2 g·kg^-1） doses of Zhuyuwan by gavage. In the experiment regarding IC， 24 Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly assigned into four groups： normal， ANIT model， low-dose Zhuyuwan， and high-dose Zhuyuwan. In the experiment regarding UC， 24 SD rats were randomly allocated into four groups： normal， TNBS model， low-dose Zhuyuwan， and high-dose Zhuyuwan. Firstly， the two disease models and the intervention effects of Zhuyuwan on the two diseases were evaluated based on serum levels of biochemical indicators ［alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase （AST）， γ-glutamyltranspeptidase （γ-GT）， and total bile acid （TBA）］， colon damage score， colon weight index， disease activity index， and histopathological changes in rats. Secondly， the rat serum samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） to screen the common core pathways of the two disease models， and the expression of core genes in the pathways was determined by Real-time PCR， on the basis of which the biological mechanism of the treatment of the two disease models by Zhuyuwan was ultimately elucidated. ResultsThe results of the experiment regarding IC showed that the ANIT model group had higher ALT， AST， γ-GT， and TBA levels than the normal group （P<0.01）. Compared with the ANIT model group， the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showed declined ALT and TBA levels （P<0.01） and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed lowered ALT， TBA， AST， and γ-GT levels （P<0.01）. The results of the experiment regarding UC showed that compared with the normal group， the TNBS model group presented increases in the colonic damage score， colon weight index， and disease activity index （P<0.01）. Compared with the TNBS model group， the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showcased declines in colon weight index （P<0.01） and disease activity index （P<0.05）， and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed reductions in the colon damage score， colon weight index， and disease activity index （P<0.01）. GC-MS metabolomics analysis combined with qRT-PCR demonstrated that Zhuyuwan had a similar inverse regulatory effect on arginine metabolism disruption in the above two disease models. ConclusionZhuyuwan exhibited definite therapeutic effects on both IC and UC， and the regulation of arginine biosynthesis pathway is the core mechanism for the treatment of both diseases by Zhuyuwan.

Objective: Accurate evaluation of inflammation severity in ulcerative colitis (UC) can guide treatment strategy selection. The potential value of the pericolic fat attenuation index (FAI) on CT as an indicator of disease severity remains unknown.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of pericolic FAI in predicting UC severity. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 148 patients (mean age 48 years; 87 males). The fat attenuation on CT was measured in four different locations: the mesocolic vascular side (MS) and opposite side of MS (OMS) around the most severe bowel lesion, the retroperitoneal space (RS), and the subcutaneous area. The fat attenuation indices (FAI MS, FAI OMS, and FAI RS) were calculated as the fat attenuation measured in MS, OMS, and RS, respectively, minus that of the subcutaneous area, and were obtained in the non-enhanced, arterial, and delayed phases. Correlations between the FAI and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Predictors of severe UC (UCEIS ≥7) were selected by univariable analysis. The performance of FAI in predicting severe UC was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores were significantly higher than FAI RS in three phases (all P < 0.001). The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores moderately correlated with the UCEIS score (r = 0.474–0.649 among the three phases). Additionally, FAI MS and FAI OMS identified severe UC, with AUC varying from 0.77 to 0.85. Conclusion Increased CT attenuation of pericolic adipose tissue could serve as a noninvasive marker for evaluating UC severity. FAI MS and FAI OMS of three phases showed similar prediction accuracies for severe UC identification.

Background and Objectives: The risk profiles, procedural characteristics, and clinical outcomes for women undergoing bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are not well defined compared to those in men. Methods: COronary BIfurcation Stenting III (COBIS III) is a multicenter, real-world registry of 2,648 patients with bifurcation lesions treated with second-generation drug-eluting stents.We compared the angiographic and procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes based on sex. The primary outcome was 5-year target lesion failure (TLF), a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. Results: Women (n=635, 24%) were older, had hypertension and diabetes more often, and had smaller main vessel and side branch reference diameters than men. The pre- and post-PCI angiographic percentage diameter stenoses of the main vessel and side branch were comparable between women and men. There were no differences in procedural characteristics between the sexes. Women and men had a similar risk of TLF (6.3% vs. 7.1%, p=0.63) as well as its individual components and sex was not an independent predictor of TLF. This finding was consistent in the left main and 2 stenting subgroups. Conclusions In patients undergoing bifurcation PCI, sex was not an independent predictor of adverse outcome.

Background: Immunocompromised patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection often have prolonged viral shedding, and some are clinically suspected of reinfection with different SARSCoV-2 variants. However, data on this issue are limited. This study investigated the SARS-CoV-2 variants in serially collected respiratory samples from immunocompromised patients with prolonged viral shedding for over 12 weeks or relapsed viral shedding after at least 2 weeks of viral clearance. Materials and Methods: From February 2022 to September 2023, we prospectively enrolled immunocompromised patients with coronavirus disease 2019 who had hematologic malignancies or had undergone transplantation and were admitted to a tertiary hospital. Weekly saliva or nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from enrolled patients for at least 12 weeks after diagnosis. Genomic RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on samples, and those testing positive underwent viral culture to isolate the live virus. Spike gene full sequencing via Sanger sequencing and real-time reverse transcription-PCR for detecting mutation genes were conducted to identify SARSCoV-2 variants. Results: Among 116 enrolled patients, 20 with prolonged or relapsed viral shedding were screened to identify the variants. Of these 20 patients, 7 (35%) exhibited evidence of re-infection; one of 8 patients with prolonged viral shedding and 6 of 12 with relapsed viral shedding were reinfected with SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion Our data suggest that approximately one-third of immunocompromised patients with persistent or relapsed viral shedding had reinfection with different variants of SARS-CoV-2.