Background: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic inflammatory scalp disorder associated with Malassezia dysbiosis and increased sebum production. AMPamide has been suggested to have anti-inflammatory and sebum-regulating effects, but its clinical efficacy and microbiome-modulating effects in SD remain unclear. Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and scalp microbiome changes following 4 weeks of use of an AMPamide-containing shampoo in patients with SD. Methods: In this observational study, 30 patients with SD applied an AMPamide-containing shampoo for 4 consecutive weeks. Clinical outcomes, including sebum levels and overall severity scores, were assessed. Scalp bacterial and fungal communities were analyzed to evaluate α- and β-diversity and changes in Malassezia composition. Results: Treatment resulted in significant reductions in sebum levels and clinical severity scores, particularly in erythema, dandruff, and pruritus. Bacterial community composition remained largely stable, while fungal α-diversity increased, and β-diversity analysis revealed a decrease in the ratio of Malassezia restricta to Malassezia globosa. Conclusion AMPamide-containing shampoo was associated with improved clinical symptoms and a shift toward a more balanced fungal community composition in patients with SD, supporting its potential as a non-steroidal therapeutic option for SD.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the practices, perceptions, and barriers related to specialty palliative care (SPC) referrals among oncologists in Korea, highlighting the clinical implications of early integration. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey targeting board-certified hemato-oncology specialists was conducted between August 1-25, 2024. The survey assessed referral practices, attitudes toward early SPC integration, referral criteria, barriers, and institutional characteristics. Results: A total of 227 oncologists participated (response rate, 36.7%). Among them, 68.7% reported frequent SPC referrals, with higher referral rates observed among younger physicians, those in tertiary hospitals, and institutions with in-house SPC teams (p < 0.001). Although 74.9% supported early SPC integration, referrals were often inconsistently timed, frequently occurring after disease progression or at the discontinuation of chemotherapy. For time-based referrals, the most commonly endorsed triggers were disease progression despite palliative second-line treatment and a prognosis of expected mortality within 6-12 months. Need-based referral triggers such as patient or family requests (96.5%), psychological distress (89.9%), or uncontrolled symptoms (83.3%), were also widely endorsed. The major barriers to early SPC integration included patient and family resistance (70.0%) and limited availability of SPC teams (34.4%). Conclusion This study emphasizes the importance of systematic efforts to promote timely SPC integration in Korea, including education to raise patient awareness, improved referral systems, and enhanced infrastructure. The positive attitudes toward early SPC among oncologists reflect a growing recognition of its value, highlighting the need for strategies that align with international standards.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease with a wide range of symptoms. Due to the rapidly changing treatment landscape, regular updates to clinical guidelines are needed. Objective: This study aimed to update the guidelines for the treatment of AD to reflect recent therapeutic advances and evidence-based recommendations. Methods: The Patient characteristics, type of Intervention, Control, and Outcome framework was used to determine 48 questions related to AD management. Evidence was graded, recommendations were determined, and, after 2 voting rounds among the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) council members, consensus was achieved. Results: This guideline provides treatment guidance on advanced systemic treatment modalities for AD. In particular, the guideline offers up-to-date treatment recommendations for biologics and Janus-kinase inhibitors used in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe AD.It also provides guidance on other therapies for AD, along with tailored recommendations for children, adolescents, the elderly, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Conclusion KADA’s updated AD treatment guidelines incorporate the latest evidence and expert opinion to provide a comprehensive approach to AD treatment. The guidelines will help clinicians optimize patient-specific therapies.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease with a wide range of symptoms. Due to the rapidly changing treatment landscape, regular updates to clinical guidelines are needed. Objective: This study aimed to update the guidelines for the treatment of AD to reflect recent therapeutic advances and evidence-based practices. Methods: The Patient characteristics, type of Intervention, Control, and Outcome framework was used to determine 48 questions related to AD management. Evidence was graded, recommendations were determined, and, after 2 voting rounds among the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) council members, consensus was achieved. Results: The guidelines provide detailed recommendations on foundational therapies, including the use of moisturizers, cleansing and bathing practices, allergen avoidance, and patient education. Guidance on topical therapies, such as topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, is also provided to help manage inflammation and maintain skin barrier function in patients with AD. Additionally, recommendations on conventional systemic therapies, including corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and methotrexate, are provided for managing moderate to severe AD. Conclusion KADA’s updated AD guidelines offer clinicians evidence-based strategies focused on basic therapies, topical therapies, and conventional systemic therapies, equipping them to enhance quality of care and improve patient outcomes in AD management.

Background: In 2006, the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) working group released the diagnostic criteria for Korean atopic dermatitis (AD). Recently, more simplified, and practical AD diagnostic criteria have been proposed. Objective: Based on updated criteria and experience, we studied to develop and share a consensus on diagnostic criteria for AD in Koreans. Materials and Methods: For the diagnostic criteria, a questionnaire was constructed by searching the English-language literature in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A modified Delphi method composed of 3 rounds of email questionnaires was adopted for the consensus process. Fifty-four KADA council members participated in the 3 rounds of votes and expert consensus recommendations were established. Results: Diagnostic criteria for AD include pruritus, eczema with age-specific pattern, and chronic or relapsing history. Diagnostic aids for AD encompass xerosis, immunoglobulin E reactivity, hand–foot eczema, periorbital changes, periauricular changes, perioral changes, nipple eczema, perifollicular accentuation, and personal or family history of atopy. Conclusion This study streamlined and updated the diagnostic criteria for AD in Korea, making them more practicable for use in real-world clinical field.

Purpose: Biliary atresia (BA) is a rare but progressive cholangiopathy and the leading cause of pediatric liver transplantation worldwide. The Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons (KAPS) has conducted three national surveys (2001, 2011, and 2023) to assess long-term trends in the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of BA. This study provides a comparative analysis of the 2nd and 3rd national surveys, with reference to selected findings from the 1st survey. Methods: This study included 453 patients from the 3rd national survey (2011–2021) and 435 patients from the 2nd survey (2001–2010), all of whom underwent Kasai portoenterostomy. Data were collected via electronic case report forms from pediatric surgical centers nationwide. Comparisons were made regarding demographics, clinical features, diagnostic patterns, operative details, follow-up outcomes, and survival. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to evaluate long-term survival. Results: The mean number of BA patients per year remained stable between surveys (43.5 in the 2nd, 41.18 in the 3rd), though centralization of care increased, with 61.5% of cases managed by two major institutions in the 3rd survey. The median age at surgery decreased, and the use of preoperative imaging (especially magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) increased. The 10-year native liver survival rate declined from 59.8% to 53.7%, while overall 10-year survival improved slightly (92.9% to 93.2%). Postoperative complications, such as cholangitis and liver failure, persisted but were better categorized. The 3rd survey also reported improved mortality (4.9%) and reduced follow-up loss (11.5%) compared to the 2nd survey. Conclusion While overall survival after Kasai operation has remained high and even improved, native liver survival has slightly declined. The findings reflect earlier diagnosis, more consistent diagnostic imaging, and increasing centralization of care. These trends underscore the importance of long-term nationwide data collection in guiding future strategies for BA management in Korea.

A pleurobiliary fistula is an abnormal communication between the biliary system and the pleural space. It has rarely been reported after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD). Here, we report the case of an 88-year-old man with bilious pleural infection via pleurobiliary fistula following PTGBD. The patient had a fever, dyspnea and right pleuritic chest pain. The PTGBD was performed 2 months prior to treat acute cholecystitis with large gallstones. Chest radiography demonstrated a right pleural effusion and a computed tomography of the abdomen showed a pleurobiliary fistula tract associated with the previous PTGBD. A drainage tube was inserted into the right pleural effusion, and the bilious pleural fluid infected with Escherichia coli was drained. Careful approach to PTGBD procedure and reducing duration of catheter placement should prevent fistula formation. As a rare complication of PTGBD, practitioners should be aware of the potential of pleural infection by a pleurobiliary fistula tract.
Abdomen ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biliary Fistula ; Biliary Tract ; Catheters ; Chest Pain ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Drainage* ; Dyspnea ; Escherichia coli ; Fever ; Fistula* ; Gallbladder* ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion ; Radiography ; Thorax

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a group of heterogeneous lymphoid diseases that cause serious complications after organ or stem cell transplantation. The onset of PTLD is mostly due to EBV infection-induced B-cell proliferation and a defect in cytotoxic T cell function that occurs with immunosuppression. The usual treatment strategy for PTLD is reduction or withdrawal of immunosuppressive drugs with or without the administration of antiviral agents. Recently, various studies on the efficacy of rituximab or chemotherapy have been reported. We report two cases of rapidly progressing and complicated PTLDs after kidney transplantation that were successfully treated with a combination regimen consisting of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine and prednisolone (R-CHOP).
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; Antiviral Agents ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cyclophosphamide ; Doxorubicin ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Immunosuppression ; Kidney Transplantation ; Korea ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Prednisolone ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Vincristine ; Rituximab

BACKGROUND: Notch is a gene family encoding receptors to transduce intercellular signals involved in cell-fate determination. Although several lines of evidence indicate that abnormal Notch signaling may contribute to neoplastic transformation, little is known regarding the role of Notch in the pathogenesis of leukemia. METHODS: To explore the functional significance of Notch1 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the expression of Notch1 and its association with survivin and p27Kip1 expression was examined in 50 patients with de novo AML. RESULTS: Notch1 transcripts were expressed in 40 (80%) cases with a variable degree of expression, and the fraction of AML cells in the G0/G1 phase was higher in Notch1-positive cases than in Notch1-negative cases. Survivin was shown to be present in 38 (76.0%) cases, and Notch1 expression highly correlated with survivin mRNA expression (r=0.7170, P<0.001). p27Kip1 was present in 40 (80.0%) cases of AML and p27Kip1 expression was significantly associated with Notch1 expression (r=0.8770, P<0.001). Except for one case, the simultaneous expression of survivin and p27Kip1 was not seen in all cases that were negative for Notch1 expression. There were no differences in clinical outcomes according to Notch1 expression. CONCLUSION: Notch1 expression was a frequent event and has functional significance in the alteration of the cell cycle in AML cells. Notch1 expression was also significantly associated with survivin and p27kip1 expression in AML cells. To evaluate the clinical significanceand functional role of Notch1 expression in the aberrant regulation of survivin and p27Kip1 expression in de novo AML, a further study with a larger number of patients is necessary.
Cell Cycle ; Genes, vif ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; RNA, Messenger

PURPOSE: Neck masses, in pediatric population, derive from a multitude of congenital, inflammatory, or neoplastic diseases. The majority of these masses represent benign conditions. However, thorough clinical evaluation is required to rule out malignant diseases. We evaluated the causes, clinical characteristics and outcomes of children with neck masses who underwent tissue biopsy. METHODS: A total of 28 medical records of children with neck mass who underwent tissue biopsy at Chungnam National University Hospital, from January 2000 to March 2004 were retrospectively analyzed. The methods of biopsy were ultrasonography guided core biopsy (CB), fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and excisional biopsy. RESULTS: Out of 28 patients, half were boys. The most common location of the mass was the posterior cervical area (N=19, 67.9%). Laboratory findings of peripheral blood and serologic studies were nonspecific. In 25 (89.3%) cases, CB or FNAB was initially performed for neck masses. Among them 10 cases (40%) were reactive hyperplasia, 8 (32%) inflammatory granulation tissues, 4 (16%) necrotizing lymphadenitis, and 3 (12%) acute suppurative inflammations. Initially, excisional biopsy was performed for diagnosis in 3 (10.7%) cases. Diagnosis of these cases was thyroglossal duct cyst, dermoid cyst and lymphoblastic lymphoma, respectively. CONCLUSION: Most neck masses in children were benign. CB and FNAB were safe methods for tissue sampling, without need for general anesthesia.
Anesthesia, General ; Biopsy* ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Child* ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Dermoid Cyst ; Diagnosis ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Inflammation ; Lymphadenitis ; Medical Records ; Neck* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroglossal Cyst ; Ultrasonography