Background: The accurate laboratory-based detection of respiratory viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is essential for effective patient management and infection control in the post–coronavirus disease 2019 era. In this study, the performance of the PowerChek Respiratory Virus Panels 1–4 assay (Kogene Biotech) in detecting non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses and SARS-CoV-2 was compared with those of two established commercial assays. Methods: Residual clinical respiratory specimens collected between December 2023 and February 2024 were retested using the PowerChek assay. Of the 129 specimens retested, 80 had tested positive for 14 non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory virus targets in the Allplex Respiratory Panels 1–3 assay (Seegene) and 49 had been tested using the Alinity m SARS-CoV-2 assay (Abbott; 20 positive and 29 negative for SARS-CoV-2). Agreement, Cohen’s kappa, and discordant results were assessed. Results: For the 14 non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory virus targets, the virus-specific overall percent agreement (OPA) ranged from 95.0% to 100%, the positive percent agreement (PPA) ranged from 66.7% to 100%, and the negative percent agreement (NPA) ranged from 96.0% to 100%, with kappa values of 0.64–1.00. Lower agreements were observed for human coronavirus OC43 and influenza A virus. For SARS-CoV-2 detection, the OPA was 98.0% (PPA, 95.0%; NPA, 100%; kappa, 0.96). Conclusion The detection performance of the PowerChek assay was comparable to those of the established assays for most respiratory virus targets, with lower agreement observed for some targets. These features support its practical utility for the routine multiplex molecular detection of respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.

Background: We developed a simplified variant of the ADV score, the AFP-PIVKAII (AP) score for post-transplant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis, which considers only AFP and PIVKA-II levels excluding morphometric tumor size information from the ADV score. This study investigated the prognostic performance of the AP score in predicting HCC recurrence and overall survival (OS) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods: We analyzed 843 patients with HCC who underwent LDLT between 2006 and 2015, assessing HCC recurrence and OS in relation to AP score. Results: The median pretransplant AFP and PIVKA-II levels were 12.8 ng/mL and 27 mAU/mL, respectively. The median and mean AP scores were 2.6 log (range: 0.6–9.2 log) and 2.9±1.1 log, respectively. The 5-year time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the AP score in predicting post-transplant HCC recurrence was 0.672 (p<0.001). HCC recurrence and OS curves along AP score intervals of 1.0 log showed statistical differences in accordance with the AP scores (both p<0.001). Using a Youden index J-derived AP score cutoff of 4.0 log, two-tiered groups (ADV <4.0 log vs. ADV ≥4.0 log) showed statistically significant differences in HCC recurrence and OS (both p<0.001). Harrell’s c-indices for AP score with cutoff of 4.0 log and ADV scores with cutoff of 5.0 log regarding HCC recurrence and OS were similar. Conclusion The AP score functions as an integrated surrogate marker for predicting post-transplant outcomes in patients with HCC undergoing LDLT. It may serve as a simplified alternative to the ADV score, particularly in patients with small HCCs.

Purpose: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in children, adolescents, and young adults is rare and differs from older adults. This study evaluated the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in young Korean CML patients during the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) era. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 35 CML patients aged < 40 years who underwent allogeneic HSCT from 2009 to 2019 was conducted using Korean Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry data. Patients were grouped by age < 20 years at HSCT (group 1, n=15) and 20-40 years at HSCT (group 2, n=20). Survival outcomes including overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and event-free survival (EFS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The median time between diagnosis and HSCT was 8.9 months. All the patients achieved engraftment but platelet recovery was significantly slower in group 1 (p=0.034). Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease occurred in 54.3% and 34.3%, respectively. Five-year OS, RFS, and EFS rates of total patients were 66.8%, 50.8%, and 47.6%, with better OS was observed in group 1 by multivariable analysis (p=0.048). Disease status at HSCT was a significant predictor of OS (p=0.028), RFS (p=0.003), and EFS (p=0.004). Disease progression occurred in 13 out of 35 patients (37.1%); treatment-related mortality accounted for 63.6% of deaths (7 out of 11). Conclusion When performed at a younger age, allogeneic HSCT result in superior outcome in CML. Achieving remission before HSCT is critical for improved outcomes, highlighting the importance of pretransplant remission via optimal TKI strategies and minimal residual disease monitoring.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Lichen amyloidosis is characterized by coalescent hyperpigmented papules with a predilection for the extremities and is accompanied by severe chronic pruritus. Various therapies have been attempted; however, there is no uniformly recognized effective treatment. In the first case, a 60-year-old man with a 37-year history of intractable itching presented with hyperkeratotic brown papules and coalescing plaques on the trunk and extensor surfaces of the extremities. The second case involved a 31-year-old man who presented with brownish macules and papules with a rippled pattern on the upper back and lower extremities. Histological examination of the lesions from both patients revealed epidermal hyperplasia and amorphous material deposited in the papillary dermis, which tested positive on Congo red staining. Although both patients were diagnosed with lichen amyloidosis, several treatment modalities showed limited efficacy. Subsequently, dupilumab, a treatment for severe pruritus, was administered to both patients, resulting in significant improvements.

Lichen amyloidosis is characterized by coalescent hyperpigmented papules with a predilection for the extremities and is accompanied by severe chronic pruritus. Various therapies have been attempted; however, there is no uniformly recognized effective treatment. In the first case, a 60-year-old man with a 37-year history of intractable itching presented with hyperkeratotic brown papules and coalescing plaques on the trunk and extensor surfaces of the extremities. The second case involved a 31-year-old man who presented with brownish macules and papules with a rippled pattern on the upper back and lower extremities. Histological examination of the lesions from both patients revealed epidermal hyperplasia and amorphous material deposited in the papillary dermis, which tested positive on Congo red staining. Although both patients were diagnosed with lichen amyloidosis, several treatment modalities showed limited efficacy. Subsequently, dupilumab, a treatment for severe pruritus, was administered to both patients, resulting in significant improvements.