Purpose: To investigate the clinical characteristics of South Korean patients with pericentral retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and to identify clinical biomarkers associated with rapid visual acuity decline based on baseline factors. Methods: This retrospective study included 59 eyes of 31 patients diagnosed with pericentral RP. Comprehensive ophthalmological examinations and genetic sequencing were conducted to assess the baseline characteristics. For biomarker analysis, eyes were categorized into two groups based on the annual rate of change in visual acuity. The clinical findings of the two groups were evaluated to identify the biomarkers associated with rapid loss of visual acuity. Results: Patients with pericentral RP in this study exhibited a mean best-corrected visual acuity of 0.17 ± 0.23 in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution. The visual field test showed annular or semicircular scotoma with relatively preserved periphery and 27 eyes (45.8%) exhibited no macular complications in optical coherence tomography. Genetic analysis identified genes associated with previous typical and pericentral RP studies but also highlighted that many genetic causes of pericentral RP remain unidentified. Of the 55 eyes for which the rate of visual acuity change could be estimated, 18 exhibited an annual decline of ≥10%, whereas 37 showed an annual decline of <10%. Male sex and prolonged b-wave latency on dark-adapted 0.01 electroretinogram correlated with rapid visual acuity decline in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions South Korean patients with pericentral RP exhibited a milder phenotype compared to typical RP patients reported in previous studies. Genetic analysis revealed heterogeneity, with mutations in some genes commonly associated with milder forms of RP. Male sex and prolonged b-wave latency on dark-adapted 0.01 electroretinogram were significant biomarkers for predicting rapid visual acuity decline. Monitoring initial b-wave latency is important for predicting visual decline, particularly in male patients with pericentral RP.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Background: Aerobic exercise training and drug therapy are well-established interventions for the prevention and treatment of hypertension and dyslipidemia. We investigated the synergistic effects of aerobic exercise and olmesartan/rosuvastatin on epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and endothelial function in patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia. Methods: A sample of 75 participants with hypertension and dyslipidemia was evaluated for multifactorial cardiovascular risk at baseline and at 6 months of intervention according to anthropometric and hemodynamic components, lipid profile, glycemia, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and EFT. After 3 months of drug therapy only, participants were allocated to one of three conditions: treadmill (n=22), exergame (n=29), or control (n=24). Results: After 12 weeks of drug therapy only, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (3% and 2%, both p<0.05), total cholesterol (6.3%, p<0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (4.9%, p<0.05), triglycerides (11.1%, p<0.05), fasting blood glucose (10.2%, p<0.01), and glycosylated hemoglobin (3%, p<0.01) were significantly reduced. After 12 weeks of combined aerobic exercise and drug therapy, both the treadmill and exergame groups showed a significant improvement in FMD (both p<0.001) and reduction in EFT (both p<0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased in the treadmill group only (1.9% and 2.7%, respectively, p<0.05). Conclusions Incorporating aerobic exercise into drug therapy regimens can yield synergistic effects, particularly in improving endothelial function and reducing EFT, providing a comprehensive approach to managing cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical characteristics of South Korean patients with pericentral retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and to identify clinical biomarkers associated with rapid visual acuity decline based on baseline factors. Methods: This retrospective study included 59 eyes of 31 patients diagnosed with pericentral RP. Comprehensive ophthalmological examinations and genetic sequencing were conducted to assess the baseline characteristics. For biomarker analysis, eyes were categorized into two groups based on the annual rate of change in visual acuity. The clinical findings of the two groups were evaluated to identify the biomarkers associated with rapid loss of visual acuity. Results: Patients with pericentral RP in this study exhibited a mean best-corrected visual acuity of 0.17 ± 0.23 in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution. The visual field test showed annular or semicircular scotoma with relatively preserved periphery and 27 eyes (45.8%) exhibited no macular complications in optical coherence tomography. Genetic analysis identified genes associated with previous typical and pericentral RP studies but also highlighted that many genetic causes of pericentral RP remain unidentified. Of the 55 eyes for which the rate of visual acuity change could be estimated, 18 exhibited an annual decline of ≥10%, whereas 37 showed an annual decline of <10%. Male sex and prolonged b-wave latency on dark-adapted 0.01 electroretinogram correlated with rapid visual acuity decline in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions South Korean patients with pericentral RP exhibited a milder phenotype compared to typical RP patients reported in previous studies. Genetic analysis revealed heterogeneity, with mutations in some genes commonly associated with milder forms of RP. Male sex and prolonged b-wave latency on dark-adapted 0.01 electroretinogram were significant biomarkers for predicting rapid visual acuity decline. Monitoring initial b-wave latency is important for predicting visual decline, particularly in male patients with pericentral RP.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Background: Aerobic exercise training and drug therapy are well-established interventions for the prevention and treatment of hypertension and dyslipidemia. We investigated the synergistic effects of aerobic exercise and olmesartan/rosuvastatin on epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and endothelial function in patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia. Methods: A sample of 75 participants with hypertension and dyslipidemia was evaluated for multifactorial cardiovascular risk at baseline and at 6 months of intervention according to anthropometric and hemodynamic components, lipid profile, glycemia, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and EFT. After 3 months of drug therapy only, participants were allocated to one of three conditions: treadmill (n=22), exergame (n=29), or control (n=24). Results: After 12 weeks of drug therapy only, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (3% and 2%, both p<0.05), total cholesterol (6.3%, p<0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (4.9%, p<0.05), triglycerides (11.1%, p<0.05), fasting blood glucose (10.2%, p<0.01), and glycosylated hemoglobin (3%, p<0.01) were significantly reduced. After 12 weeks of combined aerobic exercise and drug therapy, both the treadmill and exergame groups showed a significant improvement in FMD (both p<0.001) and reduction in EFT (both p<0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased in the treadmill group only (1.9% and 2.7%, respectively, p<0.05). Conclusions Incorporating aerobic exercise into drug therapy regimens can yield synergistic effects, particularly in improving endothelial function and reducing EFT, providing a comprehensive approach to managing cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia.

This guideline outlines the use of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography / computed tomography for the diagnosis and management of infectious and inflammatory diseases. It provides detailed recommendations for healthcare providers on patient preparation, imaging procedures, and the interpretation of results. Adapted from international standards and tailored to local clinical practices, the guideline emphasizes safety, quality control, and effective use of the technology in various conditions, including spinal infections, diabetic foot, osteomyelitis, vasculitis, and cardiac inflammation. The aim is to assist nuclear medicine professionals in delivering accurate diagnoses and improving patient outcomes while allowing flexibility to adapt to individual patient needs, technological advancements, and evolving medical knowledge. This document is a comprehensive resource for enhancing the quality and safety of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography / computed tomography for the evaluation of infectious and inflammatory diseases.Preamble The Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine (KSNM) was established in 1961 to promote the clinical and technological advancement of nuclear medicine in South Korea, with members that include nuclear medicine physicians and associated scientists. The KSNM regularly formulates and revises procedural guidelines for nuclear medicine examinations to enhance the field and improve the quality of patient care. These guidelines are designed to support healthcare professionals in providing appropriate medical care to patients. However, they are not immutable rules or mandatory requirements for conducting examinations.Therefore, KSNM states that these guidelines should not be used in legal actions challenging a healthcare professional’s medical decisions. The ultimate judgment regarding specific procedures or appropriate measures should be made by nuclear medicine physicians, considering the unique circumstances of each case. Deviation from these guidelines does not imply substandard medical practice. Rather, reasonable judgments differing from the guidelines can be made based on the patient’s condition, available resources, and advancements in knowledge or technology. Due to the diversity and complexity of patients, it is often challenging to predict the most appropriate diagnostic and accurate therapeutic responses. Thus, adherence to these guidelines does not always guarantee an exact diagnosis or successful outcomes.The purpose of this guideline is to assist healthcare providers in making reasonable decisions and conducting effective and safe examinations based on current medical knowledge, available resources, and patient needs when performing 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) examinations for infectious/ inflammatory diseases.

RESULTS: Resveratrol significantly reduced cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling in aging hearts. In addition, resveratrol significantly ameliorated aging-induced mitochondrial dysfunction (e.g., decreased oxygen respiration and increased hydrogen peroxide emission) and mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signaling (the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening sensitivity, and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels).Resveratrol also significantly attenuated aging-induced apoptosis (determined via cleaved caspase-3 staining and TUNEL-positive myonuclei) in cardiac muscles. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that resveratrol treatment has a beneficial effect on aging-induced cardiac remodeling by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibiting mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in the heart.

As many countries implement different programs aimed at eliminating malaria, attention should be given to asymptomatic carriers that may interrupt the progress. This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in Tanzania from December 2022 to July 2023 within 4 villages from each of the 3 regions, Geita and Kigoma, which are high malaria transmission, and Arusha, which is low transmission. Malaria was diagnosed in asymptomatic individuals aged 1 year and older using the malaria rapid diagnostic test and light microscope. A total of 2,365 of 3,489 (67.9%) participants were enrolled from high-transmission villages. The overall prevalence was 25.5% and 15.8% by malaria rapid diagnostic test and light microscope, respectively. Using the respective tools, the prevalence was significantly higher at 35.6% (confidence interval (CI)=23.6–49.9) and 23.1% (CI=16.2–35.1) in the high-transmission regions (Geita and Kigoma) compared with 2.9% (CI=1.1–3.5) and 1.1% (CI=0.7–1.8) in the low-transmission region (Arusha). Children younger than 15 years and males accounted for the greatest proportion of infections. In the study area, the prevalence of asymptomatic cases was higher than that of reported symptomatic cases in health facilities. We hypothesize that these parasite reservoirs may contribute to the persistence of malaria in the country. Therefore, to achieve comprehensive malaria control in the country, the surveillance and screening of asymptomatic malaria cases are vital.