Background: In patients with coronary artery disease treated with permanent polymercoated drug-eluting stents (DES), the persistent presence of a less biocompatible polymer might delay arterial healing. Thin strut polymer-free DES have the potential to improve clinical outcomes and reduce the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). The purpose of this first-in-human study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of a novel polymer-free DES in patients with de novo coronary lesions. The TIGERevolutioN® stent (CG Bio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea) consists of a cobalt chromium platform with a strut thickness of 70 μm and a surface treated with titanium dioxide onto which everolimus-eluting stent (EES) is applied abluminally (6 µg/mm of stent length) without utilization of a polymer. Methods: A total of 20 patients were enrolled, with de novo coronary lesions (stable or unstable angina) and > 50% diameter stenosis in a vessel 2.25 to 4.00 mm in diameter and ≤ 40 mm in length for angiographic, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and clinical assessment at 8 months. All patients received DAPT after stent implantation. The primary endpoint was angiographic in-stent late lumen loss (LLL) at 8 months. Results: Twenty patients with 20 lesions were treated with TIGERevolutioN® . At 8 months, in-stent LLL was 0.7 ± 0.4 mm. On OCT, percent area stenosis was 29.2 ± 9.4% and stent strut coverage was complete in all lesions. No adverse cardiovascular event occurred at 8 months. Conclusion The new polymer-free EES was safe and effective with low LLL and excellent strut coverage at 8 months of follow-up.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and status of dyslipidemia management among South Korean adults, as performed by the Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis under the name Dyslipidemia Fact Sheet 2022. Methods: We analyzed the lipid profiles, age-standardized and crude prevalence, management status of hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia, and health behaviors among Korean adults aged ≥20 years, using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data between 2007 and 2020. Results: In South Korea, the crude prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol ≥240 mg/dL or use of a lipid-lowering drug) in 2020 was 24%, and the age-standardized prevalence of hypercholesterolemia more than doubled from 2007 to 2020. The crude treatment rate was 55.2%, and the control rate was 47.7%. The crude prevalence of dyslipidemia—more than one out of three conditions (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥160 or the use of a lipid-lowering drug, triglycerides ≥200, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] [men and women] <40 mg/dL)—was 40.2% between 2016 and 2020. However, it increased to 48.2% when the definition of hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia in women changed from <40 to <50 mg/dL. Conclusion Although the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia has steadily increased in South Korea, the treatment rate remains low. Therefore, continuous efforts are needed to manage dyslipidemia through cooperation between the national healthcare system, patients, and healthcare providers.

Objective: We aimed to assess the level of public awareness regarding dyslipidemia and its management among the Korean population. Methods: We conducted a web- or mobile-based survey study targeting the general population, using various recruitment methods, between July 25, 2022 and August 26, 2022.The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions designed to collect demographic information and evaluate participants’ awareness and knowledge about dyslipidemia. Results: In total, 2,882 participants who completed the survey were included in the analysis.Among the participants, a substantial majority (89.1%) were familiar with the concepts of “good cholesterol” and “bad cholesterol,” while a comparatively lower percentage (just 46.7%) were acquainted with the term “dyslipidemia.” Noticeable variations in understanding were observed when examining specific aspects of dyslipidemia management, including diet, exercise, and pharmacotherapy. Conclusion The results of this survey underscore the significance of enhancing public awareness about dyslipidemia within the context of health literacy, demonstrating the necessity for a more comprehensive approach that includes education and policymaking to effectively manage dyslipidemia.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and status of dyslipidemia management among South Korean adults, as performed by the Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis under the name Dyslipidemia Fact Sheet 2022. Methods: We analyzed the lipid profiles, age-standardized and crude prevalence, management status of hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia, and health behaviors among Korean adults aged ≥20 years, using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data between 2007 and 2020. Results: In South Korea, the crude prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol ≥240 mg/dL or use of a lipid-lowering drug) in 2020 was 24%, and the age-standardized prevalence of hypercholesterolemia more than doubled from 2007 to 2020. The crude treatment rate was 55.2%, and the control rate was 47.7%. The crude prevalence of dyslipidemia (more than one out of three conditions [low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ≥160 or the use of a lipid-lowering drug, triglycerides ≥200, or high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (men and women) <40 mg/ dL]) was 40.2% between 2016 and 2020. However, it increased to 48.2% when the definition of hypo-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterolemia in women changed from <40 to <50 mg/dL. Conclusion Although the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia has steadily increased in South Korea, the treatment rate remains low. Therefore, continuous efforts are needed to manage dyslipidemia through cooperation between the national healthcare system, patients, and healthcare providers.

Background: It is unclear whether glycemic variability (GV) is a risk factor for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), and whether control of GV is beneficial for DPN. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of GV on peripheral nerve damage by inducing glucose fluctuation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Rats were divided into four groups: normal (normal glucose group [NOR]), diabetes without treatment (sustained severe hyperglycemia group; diabetes mellitus [DM]), diabetes+once daily insulin glargine (stable hyperglycemia group; DM+LAN), and diabetes+once daily insulin glargine with twice daily insulin glulisine (unstable glucose fluctuation group; DM+Lantus [LAN]+Apidra [API]). We measured anti-oxidant enzyme levels and behavioral responses against tactile, thermal, and pressure stimuli in the plasma of rats. We also performed a quantitative comparison of cutaneous and sciatic nerves according to glucose fluctuation. Results: At week 24, intraepidermal nerve fiber density was less reduced in the insulin-administered groups compared to the DM group (P<0.05); however, a significant difference was not observed between the DM+LAN and DM+LAN+API groups irrespective of glucose fluctuation (P>0.05; 16.2±1.6, 12.4±2.0, 14.3±0.9, and 13.9±0.6 for NOR, DM, DM+LAN, and DM+LAN+API, respectively). The DM group exhibited significantly decreased glutathione levels compared to the insulin-administered groups (2.64±0.10 μmol/mL, DM+LAN; 1.93±0.0 μmol/mL, DM+LAN+API vs. 1.25±0.04 μmol/mL, DM; P<0.05). Conclusion Our study suggests that glucose control itself is more important than glucose fluctuation in the prevention of peripheral nerve damage, and intra-day glucose fluctuation has a limited effect on the progression of peripheral neuropathy in rats with diabetes.

The abscess is a common complication of Crohn’s disease (CD), with the perianal form more frequent than gluteal or presacral which is relatively rare. There are few case reports of gluteal abscess combined with presacral abscess caused by CD and the treatment has not been established. A 21-year-old male was admitted with right buttock and lower back pain with a duration of 3 months. He had a history of CD in the small intestine diagnosed 10 months previously. He had poor compliance and had not returned for follow-up care during the previous 6 months. Abdominopelvic CT indicated newly developed multiple abscess pockets in right gluteal region, including piriformis muscle and presacral space. Additionally, fistula tracts between small bowel loops and presacral space were observed. Patient’s CD was moderate activity (273.12 on the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index [CDAI]). Treatment was started with piperacillin/tazobactam antibiotic but patient developed a fever and abscess extent was aggravated. Therefore, surgical incision and drainage was performed and 4 Penrose drains were inserted. Patient’s pain and fever were resolved following surgery. Infliximab was then administered for the remaining fistulas. After the induction regimen, multiple fistula tracts improved and patient went into remission (CDAI was -0.12).

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring antioxidant and has been previously used to treat diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, the autophagy effects of ALA against oxidative stress-induced dopaminergic neuronal cell injury remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ALA in autophagy and apoptosis against oxidative stress in the SH-SY5Y human dopaminergic neuronal cell line. We examined SH-SY5Y phenotypes using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (cell viability/proliferation), 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride nuclear staining, Live/Dead cell assay, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, immunoblotting, and immunocytochemistry. Our data showed ALA attenuated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced ROS generation and cell death. ALA effectively suppressed Bax up-regulation and Bcl-2 and BclxL down-regulation. Furthermore, ALA increased the expression of the antioxidant enzyme, heme oxygenase-1. Moreover, the expression of Beclin-1 and LC-3 autophagy biomarkers was decreased by ALA in our cell model. Combined, these data suggest ALA protects human dopaminergic neuronal cells against H2O2-induced cell injury by inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis.

Background: Real-world data analysis is useful for identifying treatment patterns.Understanding drug prescription patterns of type 2 diabetes mellitus may facilitate diabetes management. We aimed to analyze treatment patterns of type 2 diabetes mellitus using Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model based on electronic health records. Methods: This retrospective, observational study employed electronic health records of patients who visited Jeonbuk National University Hospital in Korea during January 2000– December 2019. Data were transformed into the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model and analyzed using R version 4.0.3 and ATLAS ver. 2.7.6. Prescription frequency for each anti-diabetic drug, combination therapy pattern, and prescription pattern according to age, renal function, and glycated hemoglobin were analyzed. Results: The number of adults treated for type 2 diabetes mellitus increased from 1,867 (2.0%) in 2000 to 9,972 (5.9%) in 2019. In the early 2000s, sulfonylurea was most commonly prescribed (73%), and in the recent years, metformin has been most commonly prescribed (64%). Prescription rates for DPP4 and SGLT2 inhibitors have increased gradually over the past few years. Monotherapy prescription rates decreased, whereas triple and quadruple combination prescription rates increased steadily. Different drug prescription patterns according to age, renal function, and glycated hemoglobin were observed. The proportion of patients with HbA1c ≤ 7% increased from 31.1% in 2000 to 45.6% in 2019, but that of patients visiting the emergency room for severe hypoglycemia did not change over time. Conclusion Medication utilization patterns have changed significantly over the past 20 years with an increase in the use of newer drugs and a shift to combination therapies. In addition, various prescription patterns were demonstrated according to the patient characteristics in actual practice. Although glycemic control has improved, the proportion within the target is still low, underscoring the need to improve diabetes management.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of respiratory viral infection in infants and children. However, little is known about the contribution of monocytes to antiviral responses against RSV infection. We identified the IFN-β production of monocytes using IFN-β/YFP reporter mice. The kinetic analysis of IFN-β-producing cells in in vivo RSV-infected lung cells indicated that monocytes are recruited to the inflamed lung during the early phase of infection. These cells produced IFN-β via the myeloid differentiation factor 88-mediated pathway, rather than the TLR7- or mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein-mediated pathway. In addition, monocyte-ablated mice exhibited decreased numbers of IFN-γ-producing and RSV Ag-specific CD8 + T cells. Collectively, these data indicate that monocytes play pivotal roles in cytotoxic T-cell responses and act as type I IFN producers during RSV infection.