The sixth edition of the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder (KMAP-DD) was published in 2025. This review compared KMAP-DD 2025 with four major international clinical practice guidelines: Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Major Depressive Disorders, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Depression Guideline, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Clinical Practice Guidelines for Mood Disorders, and British Association for Psychopharmacology Guideline. While KMAP-DD is based on expert consensus, and others on evidence-based methods, overall treatment strategies for depressive episodes were fairly consistent. Especially, KMAP-DD 2025 offers more structured recommendations in areas lacking strong evidence, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, perinatal depression, and depression with medical comorbidities. KMAP-DD 2025 also reflected Korean clinical practice patterns emphasizing rapid symptom relief and early use of combination strategies. Despite limitations as a consensus-based guideline, KMAP-DD 2025 complements evidence-based approaches and provides practical, situation-specific guidance for real-world clinical decision-making in Korea.

Eleutherococcus trifoliatus (Araliaceae) is called Baile or Lecai in China. E. trifoliatus is a medicinal and edible plant widely used in folk traditions. As a TCM, the dried herb of this species can remove damp heat and detoxicity, cure rheumatism, remove blood stasis, relieve pain, and alleviate cough and asthma symptoms. Many chemical compounds have been reported including diterpenoids, triterpenoids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, lignans, caffeoyl quinic acids, steroids, essential oils, etc., in which flavonoids, saponins, and caffeoyl quinic acids are the most bioactive components. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological experiments demonstrated that E. trifoliatus has anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-hyperalgesic, anti-fatigue, analgesic, and hemostatic effects. Here we reviewed E. trifoliatus in phytochemistry, analysis methods, and pharmacology.

Objectives: Korea and China have the highest sodium intakes globally. The sodium index is a quantitative measure of the estimated sodium intake, calculated using a regression equation with proven validity and reliability in individuals aged 19–69 years. This study aimed to compare the sodium index of Korean and Chinese university students and analyze the association between the sodium index and the risk of obesity. Methods: A total of 218 university students—110 Korean (63 males, 47 females) and 108 Chinese (60 males, 48 females)—participated in this study in 2019. Sodium-related awareness, nutritional knowledge, and sodium index were compared between Korean and Chinese students. Obesity indicators were compared according to three criteria for the sodium index of Korean and Chinese students: “moderate,” “careful,” and “severe. ” The association between sodium index levels and risk of obesity was analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and sex. Results: Overall, 84% of students recognized that they consumed large amounts of sodium. Korean students demonstrated higher nutritional knowledge scores than Chinese students. The average estimated sodium intake was 3,751 mg, and no significant difference was observed between Korean (3,857 mg) and Chinese (3,643 mg) students. The overall average sodium index was 187, which falls under the “careful” level. As the sodium index levels increased, the students’ body mass index, waist-hip ratio (WHR), and fat-related indicators significantly increased. At the “severe” level of the sodium index, Korean and Chinese students had 2.402-fold and 1.636-fold increases in the risk of obesity based on body fat percentage, and 3.682-fold and 1.622-fold increases based on WHR, respectively. Conclusion This study demonstrated an association between sodium index and obesity risk, showing that excessive sodium intake affects body fat-related indicators in university students.

Objective: Since its development in 2002 by the Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology and the Korean Society for Affective Disorders, the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder (KMAP-DD) has undergone five revisions. Methods: To improve survey efficiency, reflect general clinical practice, and facilitate comparisons with previous KMAP-DD revisions, the overall structure of the questionnaire was retained. The six sections of the questionnaire were as follows:1) pharmacological treatment strategies for major depressive disorder with and without psychotic features; 2) pharmacological treatment strategies for persistent depressive disorder and other depressive disorder subtypes; 3) consensus on treatment-resistant depression; 4) selection of an antidepressant in consideration of safety, adverse effects, and comorbid physical conditions; 5) treatment strategies for special populations (children/adolescents, elderly, and women); and 6) non-pharmacological biological therapies. First-, second-, and third-line treatment recommendations were statistically derived. Results: Compared to KMAP-DD 2021, only minor changes were noted, due to the limited introduction of new medications or treatment modalities. Nonetheless, notable shifts included an increased preference for atypical antipsychotics (AAPs), and higher preference of combination strategies involving AAPs and mood stabilizers, indicating a more proactive and intensive treatment trend in Korea. Conclusion KMAP-DD is expected to serve as a valuable clinical resource by providing expert consensus-based recommendations on specific treatment strategies and pharmacological options for major depressive disorders, thereby supporting the integration of real-world clinical practice with evidence-based medicine.

Phyllodes tumors of the breast are rare biphasic fibroepithelial neoplasms that may coexist with breast carcinomas. Herein, we report a case of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) within a borderline phyllodes tumor accompanied by extensive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the same breast. A 72-year-old woman presented with a palpable lump in the right breast.Mammography showed an oval mass associated with segmental microcalcifications, and breast ultrasound (US) revealed a 2.3 cm oval mass and an associated non-mass lesion. Based on US-guided core needle biopsy, the initial biopsy result of the non-mass lesion suggested DCIS; however, the mass was diagnosed as a fibroepithelial lesion. Preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed a rim-enhancing oval mass with areas of T2 hyperintensity, accompanied by segmental non-mass enhancement. The mass was highly suspicious for malignancy and was considered imaging-pathology discordant.Subsequently, the patient underwent mastectomy. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimens confirmed a borderline phyllodes tumor with an IDC within the tumor and an extensive intraductal component. The invasive carcinoma component was triplenegative breast cancer. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of identifying coexisting carcinomas within phyllodes tumors and emphasizes the necessity for increased awareness among radiologists regarding this possibility.

Phyllodes tumors of the breast are rare biphasic fibroepithelial neoplasms that may coexist with breast carcinomas. Herein, we report a case of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) within a borderline phyllodes tumor accompanied by extensive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the same breast. A 72-year-old woman presented with a palpable lump in the right breast.Mammography showed an oval mass associated with segmental microcalcifications, and breast ultrasound (US) revealed a 2.3 cm oval mass and an associated non-mass lesion. Based on US-guided core needle biopsy, the initial biopsy result of the non-mass lesion suggested DCIS; however, the mass was diagnosed as a fibroepithelial lesion. Preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed a rim-enhancing oval mass with areas of T2 hyperintensity, accompanied by segmental non-mass enhancement. The mass was highly suspicious for malignancy and was considered imaging-pathology discordant.Subsequently, the patient underwent mastectomy. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimens confirmed a borderline phyllodes tumor with an IDC within the tumor and an extensive intraductal component. The invasive carcinoma component was triplenegative breast cancer. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of identifying coexisting carcinomas within phyllodes tumors and emphasizes the necessity for increased awareness among radiologists regarding this possibility.

Purpose: This subgroup analysis of the Korean subset of patients in the phase 3 LASER301 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of lazertinib versus gefitinib as first-line therapy for epidermal growth factor receptor mutated (EGFRm) non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: Patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFRm NSCLC were randomized 1:1 to lazertinib (240 mg/day) or gefitinib (250 mg/day). The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Results: In total, 172 Korean patients were enrolled (lazertinib, n=87; gefitinib, n=85). Baseline characteristics were balanced between the treatment groups. One-third of patients had brain metastases (BM) at baseline. Median PFS was 20.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.7 to 26.1) for lazertinib and 9.6 months (95% CI, 8.2 to 12.3) for gefitinib (hazard ratio [HR], 0.41; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.60). This was supported by PFS analysis based on blinded independent central review. Significant PFS benefit with lazertinib was consistently observed across predefined subgroups, including patients with BM (HR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.53) and those with L858R mutations (HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.63). Lazertinib safety data were consistent with its previously reported safety profile. Common adverse events (AEs) in both groups included rash, pruritus, and diarrhoea. Numerically fewer severe AEs and severe treatment–related AEs occurred with lazertinib than gefitinib. Conclusion Consistent with results for the overall LASER301 population, this analysis showed significant PFS benefit with lazertinib versus gefitinib with comparable safety in Korean patients with untreated EGFRm NSCLC, supporting lazertinib as a new potential treatment option for this patient population.

Background: To date, the efficiency of collagen meniscal scaffold implantation in Asian patients with partial meniscal defects has not been evaluated. In addition, no study has quantitatively analyzed meniscal regeneration using three-dimensional (3D) volume analysis after collagen scaffold implantation. We aimed to compare meniscal regeneration using 3D volume analysis between Asian patients undergoing collagen-based meniscal scaffold implantation after partial meniscectomy and those undergoing only partial meniscectomy. Methods: Nineteen patients who underwent collagen-based meniscal scaffold implantation and 14 who underwent partial meniscectomy were analyzed with a prospective randomized control design for 12 months postoperatively. The demographic characteristics, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, and location of the injury lesion (medial or lateral meniscus) were not significantly different between the groups. Using 3D volume analysis with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the meniscus-removing ratio during the operative procedure and the meniscus defect-filling ratio were measured during the 12-month postoperative period. Clinically, the visual analog scale, International Knee Documentation Committee score, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score were evaluated. The Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) and Genovese grade were also evaluated using MRI. Results: In the 3D volume analysis, the average meniscus-removing ratio during surgery was not significantly different between the groups (−9.3% vs. −9.2%, p = 0.984). The average meniscus defect-filling ratio during the postoperative 12-month period was 7.5% in the scaffold group and −0.4% in the meniscectomy group (p < 0.001). None of the clinical results were significantly different between the scaffold and meniscectomy groups at 12 months postoperatively. The average change in the total WORMS score was not significantly different between the groups (0 vs. 1.9, p = 0.399). The Genovese grade of the implanted collagen scaffold did not significantly change during the follow-up period in terms of morphology and size (p = 0.063); however, the grade significantly improved in terms of signal intensity (p = 0.001). Conclusions Definite meniscal regeneration and stable scaffold incorporation were observed after collagen-based meniscal scaffold implantation in Asian patients during 12 months of follow-up. A long-term follow-up study with a larger cohort is required to determine the advantages of collagenous meniscal scaffold implantation in Asian patients.

Background: and Purpose: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive decline in cognition and performance of daily activities. Recent studies have attempted to establish the relationship between AD and sleep. It is believed that patients with AD pathology show altered sleep characteristics years before clinical symptoms appear. This study evaluated the differences in sleep characteristics between cognitively asymptomatic patients with and without some amyloid burden. Methods: Sleep characteristics of 76 subjects aged 60 years or older who were diagnosed with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) but not mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD were measured using Fitbit ® Alta HR, a wristwatch-shaped wearable device. Amyloid deposition was evaluated using brain amyloid plaque load (BAPL) and global standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) from fluorine-18 florbetaben positron emission tomography. Each component of measured sleep characteristics was analyzed for statistically significant differences between the amyloid-positive group and the amyloid-negative group. Results: Of the 76 subjects included in this study, 49 (64.5%) were female. The average age of the subjects was 70.72±6.09 years when the study started. 15 subjects were classified as amyloid-positive based on BAPL. The average global SUVR was 1.598±0.263 in the amyloidpositive group and 1.187±0.100 in the amyloid-negative group. Time spent in slow-wave sleep (SWS) was significantly lower in the amyloid-positive group (39.4±13.1 minutes) than in the amyloid-negative group (49.5±13.1 minutes) (p=0.009). Conclusions This study showed that SWS is different between the elderly SCD population with and without amyloid positivity. How SWS affects AD pathology requires further research.

Phyllodes tumors of the breast are rare biphasic fibroepithelial neoplasms that may coexist with breast carcinomas. Herein, we report a case of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) within a borderline phyllodes tumor accompanied by extensive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the same breast. A 72-year-old woman presented with a palpable lump in the right breast.Mammography showed an oval mass associated with segmental microcalcifications, and breast ultrasound (US) revealed a 2.3 cm oval mass and an associated non-mass lesion. Based on US-guided core needle biopsy, the initial biopsy result of the non-mass lesion suggested DCIS; however, the mass was diagnosed as a fibroepithelial lesion. Preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed a rim-enhancing oval mass with areas of T2 hyperintensity, accompanied by segmental non-mass enhancement. The mass was highly suspicious for malignancy and was considered imaging-pathology discordant.Subsequently, the patient underwent mastectomy. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimens confirmed a borderline phyllodes tumor with an IDC within the tumor and an extensive intraductal component. The invasive carcinoma component was triplenegative breast cancer. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of identifying coexisting carcinomas within phyllodes tumors and emphasizes the necessity for increased awareness among radiologists regarding this possibility.