Purpose: Although bladder cancer occurs three to 4 times more frequently in men than in women, the relative number of deaths compared to incidence is higher in women, suggesting that women have a worse prognosis than men. Emerging evidence indicates that the activity of the sex steroid hormone pathway may play a role in bladder cancer development, with demonstrations that both androgens and estrogens have biological effects on bladder cancer in vitro and in vivo. This study investigates the influence of sex and menopausal status on recurrence and cancer-specific death (CSD) in bladder cancer patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis included 3,913 patients from the Korean Bladder Cancer Study Group Database who underwent RC between 2010 and 2019. Patients were categorized based on gender and menopausal status (≤50 years: premenopausal; >50 years: postmenopausal). Pathological factors, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, recurrence, and CSD rates were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Results: Among the 3,913 patients, 400 (10.2%) were female. Premenopausal females exhibited significantly lower recurrence rates (28.6%) compared to postmenopausal females (45.7%). CSD rates were similarly reduced in premenopausal females (12.0% vs. 22.2% in postmenopausal females). No significant sex differences in recurrence or CSD were observed among premenopausal patients. Pathological T stage, nodal status, and lymphovascular invasion were significantly associated with recurrence in males, while nodal status alone was significant in females. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was significantly more frequently administered to male patients under the age of 50, while no difference was observed in the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy among female patients based on menopausal status. Conclusion Hormonal changes associated with menopause significantly influence bladder cancer outcomes in women. Premenopausal hormonal environments seem protective, underscoring the need for further research into hormone-driven mechanisms in bladder cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate whether extended pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) improves survival outcomes compared with standard PLND in patients with bladder cancer (BCa) undergoing radical cystectomy (RC), and to assess its potential benefits in patients with prior or concurrent radical nephroureterectomy (p/cRNU). Materials and Methods: A multicenter analysis included 2202 patients with BCa undergoing RC with standard or extended PLND at 11 tertiary centers from 2003 to 2023. Following propensity score matching, 659 pairs (n=1,318), including 128 patients with p/cRNU, were analyzed. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was the primary outcome, while overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and readmission rates were secondary outcomes. Survival analyses performed using Kaplan-Meier methods and clustered Cox models. Results: Extended PLND yielded significantly more lymph nodes than standard PLND (median: 27.0 vs. 17.0, p<0.001) but did not improve RFS, CSS, or OS in the overall cohort (all p>0.05). Extended PLND increased readmission rates (28.4% vs. 20.2%, p=0.001) and readmission risk (odds ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–2.16, p=0.005). However, subgroup analysis revealed extended PLND significantly improved RFS in patients with p/cRNU (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.38–0.77; p<0.001). Conclusion Extended PLND does not provide survival benefits for overall patient population and increases readmission risk but significantly improves RFS in patients with p/cRNU. Tailoring PLND extent based on upper tract disease status is recommended.

Background: Transfusion reactions have been under-reported, and the laboratory tests to evaluate the causes of the reactions are unfamiliar to physicians other than transfusion specialists. The paper-based transfusion reaction reporting system previously used in our hospital was one-way, with physicians submitting it to the Department of Transfusion Management. To address this, we developed an electronic reporting system that improves communication with physicians to identify the cause of transfusion reactions and recommend appropriate blood components. Methods: To assess the status of transfusion reaction reporting, transfusion reaction reports and transfusion nursing records of 5 years from 2019 to 2023 were analyzed. The transfusion reaction reporting system comprises two parts: the physician's report and the response from the Department of Transfusion Management. If physicians order blood products for patients with a history of prior transfusion reactions, a pop-up alert appears, warning them to check the details of the previous report. Results: From 2019 to 2023, 2.5% cases of transfusion-related symptoms occurred annually and only 2.6% of transfusion reactions were reported. In 21 out of the 31 cases, the cause was difficult to determine due to inadequate laboratory tests.The attending physicians of 12 cases were given a recommendation to use blood products or to conduct further laboratory tests by the Department of Transfusion Management to reduce recurrence, but the advice was followed only in 4 cases. Conclusion The electronic transfusion reaction reporting system could help physicians conduct appropriate investigations for transfusion reactions and inform physicians regarding the laboratory tests required to be undertaken. It is expected to enhance blood transfusion safety and management by improving communication with physicians.

Background: Transfusion reactions have been under-reported, and the laboratory tests to evaluate the causes of the reactions are unfamiliar to physicians other than transfusion specialists. The paper-based transfusion reaction reporting system previously used in our hospital was one-way, with physicians submitting it to the Department of Transfusion Management. To address this, we developed an electronic reporting system that improves communication with physicians to identify the cause of transfusion reactions and recommend appropriate blood components. Methods: To assess the status of transfusion reaction reporting, transfusion reaction reports and transfusion nursing records of 5 years from 2019 to 2023 were analyzed. The transfusion reaction reporting system comprises two parts: the physician's report and the response from the Department of Transfusion Management. If physicians order blood products for patients with a history of prior transfusion reactions, a pop-up alert appears, warning them to check the details of the previous report. Results: From 2019 to 2023, 2.5% cases of transfusion-related symptoms occurred annually and only 2.6% of transfusion reactions were reported. In 21 out of the 31 cases, the cause was difficult to determine due to inadequate laboratory tests.The attending physicians of 12 cases were given a recommendation to use blood products or to conduct further laboratory tests by the Department of Transfusion Management to reduce recurrence, but the advice was followed only in 4 cases. Conclusion The electronic transfusion reaction reporting system could help physicians conduct appropriate investigations for transfusion reactions and inform physicians regarding the laboratory tests required to be undertaken. It is expected to enhance blood transfusion safety and management by improving communication with physicians.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Treatment outcomes for colon cancer are steadily improving due to national health screening programs with advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and therapeutic agents.. The Korea Colon Cancer Multidisciplinary (KCCM) Committee intends to provide professionals who treat colon cancer with the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice guidelines to improve outcomes and help them make decisions that reflect their patients’ values and preferences. These guidelines have been established by consensus reached by the KCCM Guideline Committee based on a systematic literature review and evidence synthesis and by considering the national health insurance system in real clinical practice settings. Each recommendation is presented with a recommendation strength and level of evidence based on the consensus of the committee.

Background: Recent diabetes management guidelines recommend that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) with proven cardiovascular benefits should be prioritized for combination therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study was aimed at evaluating SGLT2i or GLP-1RA usage rates and various related factors in patients with T2DM and established CVD. Methods: We enrolled adults with T2DM aged ≥30 years who were hospitalized due to established CVD from January 2019 to May 2020 at 13 secondary and tertiary hospitals in Korea in this retrospective observational study. Results: Overall, 2,050 patients were eligible for analysis among 2,107 enrolled patients. The mean patient age, diabetes duration, and glycosylated hemoglobin level were 70.0 years, 12.0 years, and 7.5%, respectively. During the mean follow-up duration of 9.7 months, 25.7% of the patients were prescribed SGLT2is after CVD events. However, only 1.8% were prescribed GLP-1RAs. Compared with SGLT2i non-users, SGLT2i users were more frequently male and obese. Furthermore, they had a shorter diabetes duration but showed worse glycemic control and better renal function at the time of the event. GLP-1RA users had a longer duration of diabetes and worse glycemic control at the time of the event than GLP-1RA non-users. Conclusion The SGLT2i or GLP-1RA prescription rates were suboptimal in patients with T2DM and established CVD. Sex, body mass index, diabetes duration, glycemic control, and renal function were associated with the use of these agents.

Background: Transfusion reactions have been under-reported, and the laboratory tests to evaluate the causes of the reactions are unfamiliar to physicians other than transfusion specialists. The paper-based transfusion reaction reporting system previously used in our hospital was one-way, with physicians submitting it to the Department of Transfusion Management. To address this, we developed an electronic reporting system that improves communication with physicians to identify the cause of transfusion reactions and recommend appropriate blood components. Methods: To assess the status of transfusion reaction reporting, transfusion reaction reports and transfusion nursing records of 5 years from 2019 to 2023 were analyzed. The transfusion reaction reporting system comprises two parts: the physician's report and the response from the Department of Transfusion Management. If physicians order blood products for patients with a history of prior transfusion reactions, a pop-up alert appears, warning them to check the details of the previous report. Results: From 2019 to 2023, 2.5% cases of transfusion-related symptoms occurred annually and only 2.6% of transfusion reactions were reported. In 21 out of the 31 cases, the cause was difficult to determine due to inadequate laboratory tests.The attending physicians of 12 cases were given a recommendation to use blood products or to conduct further laboratory tests by the Department of Transfusion Management to reduce recurrence, but the advice was followed only in 4 cases. Conclusion The electronic transfusion reaction reporting system could help physicians conduct appropriate investigations for transfusion reactions and inform physicians regarding the laboratory tests required to be undertaken. It is expected to enhance blood transfusion safety and management by improving communication with physicians.

Background: Transfusion reactions have been under-reported, and the laboratory tests to evaluate the causes of the reactions are unfamiliar to physicians other than transfusion specialists. The paper-based transfusion reaction reporting system previously used in our hospital was one-way, with physicians submitting it to the Department of Transfusion Management. To address this, we developed an electronic reporting system that improves communication with physicians to identify the cause of transfusion reactions and recommend appropriate blood components. Methods: To assess the status of transfusion reaction reporting, transfusion reaction reports and transfusion nursing records of 5 years from 2019 to 2023 were analyzed. The transfusion reaction reporting system comprises two parts: the physician's report and the response from the Department of Transfusion Management. If physicians order blood products for patients with a history of prior transfusion reactions, a pop-up alert appears, warning them to check the details of the previous report. Results: From 2019 to 2023, 2.5% cases of transfusion-related symptoms occurred annually and only 2.6% of transfusion reactions were reported. In 21 out of the 31 cases, the cause was difficult to determine due to inadequate laboratory tests.The attending physicians of 12 cases were given a recommendation to use blood products or to conduct further laboratory tests by the Department of Transfusion Management to reduce recurrence, but the advice was followed only in 4 cases. Conclusion The electronic transfusion reaction reporting system could help physicians conduct appropriate investigations for transfusion reactions and inform physicians regarding the laboratory tests required to be undertaken. It is expected to enhance blood transfusion safety and management by improving communication with physicians.

Background: Airborne particulate matter (PM), a widespread air contaminant, is a complex mixture of solids and aerosols composed of particles suspended in the air. PM is associated with inflammatory responses and may worsen inflammatory skin diseases. However, the mechanisms through which PM affects atopic dermatitis (AD) remain unclear. Objective: To establish an In Vitro model that more accurately mimics AD using human keratinocyte (HaCaT), dermal fibroblast (HDF), and mast cell (HMC-1) and using this model to investigate the mechanism through which PMs affect AD. Methods: An AD-like In Vitro model was established by seeding HaCaT, HDF, and HMC-1 cells with recombinant human interleukin (IL)-1α and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid.We confirmed the effect of PM on the inflammatory cytokine expression of a triple-cell culture model. SRM 1649b Urban Dust, which is mainly composed of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, was used as the reference PM. The effects of PM on the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines and skin barrier markers were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Inflammatory cytokine levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Interactions between various skin cell types were evaluated using a co-culture system. PM treatment increased mRNA and protein levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1α, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-4, and IL-1β and decreased the expression of the skin barrier markers filaggrin and loricrin. Conclusion Our results suggest that an In Vitro triple-cell culture model using HaCaT, HDF, and HMC-1 cells may be reliable for obtaining more physiological, functional, and reproducible data on AD and skin barriers.

Purpose: Giant cell tumors (GCTs) are common benign primary bone tumors and are well known for their locally aggressive performance and tendency to recur. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of denosumab and risk factors for recurrent spinal GCTs. Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to identify differences between individuals treated with and without denosumab and risk factors for spinal GCT recurrence. Patient data, including age, sex, tumor resection range, location, denosumab use, Campanacci grade, and radiotherapy, were documented. Comparable factors were evaluated using odds ratios (ORs) and weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Sixteen studies were included. The overall incidence of spinal GCT recurrence was 29%. Campanacci grade III tumors showed better recurrence outcomes than grades I and II (OR, 16.36; 95% CI, 4.19–63.93; p<0.001). Gross total resection (OR, 0.09;95% CI, 0.04–0.19; p<0.001), radiotherapy (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.11–0.65; p=0.004), and the use of denosumab during subtotal resection (OR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.07–8.17; p=0.04) were important factors for reducing recurrence. Conclusion Clinicians must consider the effects of gross total resection, radiotherapy use, and denosumab use in cases of subtotal resection during spinal GCT treatment. So far, many researchers have used denosumab in spinal GCT, but none have clearly suggested an endpoint. Most studies, however, recommend using it for more than 6 months.