1.Multicenter evaluation of the PASS score as a negative predictive tool and the impact of inter-observer variability in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma risk stratification
Sungyeon JUNG ; Hye-Ri SHIN ; Su-Jin SHIN ; Hee Young NA ; Soon-Won HONG ; So Yeon PARK ; Chan Kwon JUNG ; Kyeong Cheon JUNG ; Young Lyun OH ; Jae-Kyung WON
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2026;60(2):202-213
The Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) is widely used for risk stratification in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL), but its clinical utility is limited by inter-observer variability of its parameters and inconsistent predictive performance. Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of 1,518 patients with PPGL from five tertiary referral centers in Korea. Prognostic utility of PASS system was assessed using logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Inter-observer variability was inferred by comparing area under the ROC curve (AUCs) across institutions. Simplified PASS systems were developed based on multivariable analysis of key histopathological parameters. Results: The PASS system was a significant predictor of adverse events and recurrence-free survival. Although the PASS system demonstrated only modest discriminative ability (AUC, 0.673), it showed a high negative predictive value (NPV, 0.885), supporting its usefulness as a screening tool for benign behavior. However, there was significant inter-institutional variability in PASS performance (AUC; range, 0.513 to 0.727; p < .05). The 3-factor Simple PASS, which incorporates necrosis, spindling, and mitotic figures, exhibited less inter-observer variation. The 4-factor Simple PASS, which adds vascular invasion to the 3-factor model, also showed reduced inter-observer variability and improved AUC and NPV compared to the original PASS system. Conclusions: In this multicenter cohort, the PASS system demonstrated high NPV and screening potential, but significant inter-observer variability remains a challenge. Simplification of the PASS system and enhanced pathologist training may improve reproducibility and clinical utility in PPGL risk stratification.
2.Integration of conventional and digital approach in full mouth rehabilitation of a patient with severe tooth wear
On-Yu CHEON ; Jeong-Woo YUN ; Su-Min KIM ; Yu-Ri HEO ; Mee-Kyoung SON
Oral Biology Research 2025;49(1):6-
This report presents the case of severe tooth wear and vertical dimension loss in a 71-year-old male patient. A combined conventional and digital approach was employed for full-mouth rehabilitation. After determining an increase in the vertical dimension of 5.5 mm using an anterior jig and diagnostic wax-up, provisional restorations were fabricated and adjusted throughout the adaptation period.For the fabrication of the final prosthesis, digital methodologies such as oral scanning and occlusal acquisition were performed. To obtain precise margin data, a die model was fabricated using the traditional impression method, followed by model scanning, which was then combined with intraoral scan data. The final prosthesis was made of zirconia to enhance esthetics and strength. Consequently, the treatment enhanced both function and esthetics, leading to high patient satisfaction with the outcomes.
3.Feasibility of a deep learning artificial intelligence model for the diagnosis of pediatric ileocolic intussusception with grayscale ultrasonography
Se Woo KIM ; Jung-Eun CHEON ; Young Hun CHOI ; Jae-Yeon HWANG ; Su-Mi SHIN ; Yeon Jin CHO ; Seunghyun LEE ; Seul Bi LEE
Ultrasonography 2024;43(1):57-67
Purpose:
This study explored the feasibility of utilizing a deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) model to detect ileocolic intussusception on grayscale ultrasound images.
Methods:
This retrospective observational study incorporated ultrasound images of children who underwent emergency ultrasonography for suspected ileocolic intussusception. After excluding video clips, Doppler images, and annotated images, 40,765 images from two tertiary hospitals were included (positive-to-negative ratio: hospital A, 2,775:35,373; hospital B, 140:2,477). Images from hospital A were split into a training set, a tuning set, and an internal test set (ITS) at a ratio of 7:1.5:1.5. Images from hospital B comprised an external test set (ETS). For each image indicating intussusception, two radiologists provided a bounding box as the ground-truth label. If intussusception was suspected in the input image, the model generated a bounding box with a confidence score (0-1) at the estimated lesion location. Average precision (AP) was used to evaluate overall model performance. The performance of practical thresholds for the modelgenerated confidence score, as determined from the ITS, was verified using the ETS.
Results:
The AP values for the ITS and ETS were 0.952 and 0.936, respectively. Two confidence thresholds, CTopt and CTprecision, were set at 0.557 and 0.790, respectively. For the ETS, the perimage precision and recall were 95.7% and 80.0% with CTopt, and 98.4% and 44.3% with CTprecision. For per-patient diagnosis, the sensitivity and specificity were 100.0% and 97.1% with CTopt, and 100.0% and 99.0% with CTprecision. The average number of false positives per patient was 0.04 with CTopt and 0.01 for CTprecision.
Conclusion
The feasibility of using an AI model to diagnose ileocolic intussusception on ultrasonography was demonstrated. However, further study involving bias-free data is warranted for robust clinical validation.
4.The Modified S-GRAS Scoring System for Prognosis in Korean with Adrenocortical Carcinoma
Sun Kyung BAEK ; Seung Hun LEE ; Seung Shin PARK ; Chang Ho AHN ; Sung Hye KONG ; Won Woong KIM ; Yu-Mi LEE ; Su Jin KIM ; Dong Eun SONG ; Tae-Yon SUNG ; Kyu Eun LEE ; Jung Hee KIM ; Kyeong Cheon JUNG ; Jung-Min KOH
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;39(5):803-812
Background:
Adrenocortical carcinomas (ACCs) are rare tumors with aggressive but varied prognosis. Stage, Grade, Resection status, Age, Symptoms (S-GRAS) score, based on clinical and pathological factors, was found to best stratify the prognosis of European ACC patients. This study assessed the prognostic performance of modified S-GRAS (mS-GRAS) scores including modified grade (mG) by integrating mitotic counts into the Ki67 index (original grade), in Korean ACC patients.
Methods:
Patients who underwent surgery for ACC between January 1996 and December 2022 at three medical centers in Korea were retrospectively analyzed. mS-GRAS scores were calculated based on tumor stage, mG (Ki67 index or mitotic counts), resection status, age, and symptoms. Patients were divided into four groups (0–1, 2–3, 4–5, and 6–9 points) based on total mS-GRAS score. The associations of each variable and mS-GRAS score with recurrence and survival were evaluated using Cox regression analysis, Harrell’s concordance index (C-index), and the Kaplan–Meier method.
Results:
Data on mS-GRAS components were available for 114 of the 153 patients who underwent surgery for ACC. These 114 patients had recurrence and death rates of 61.4% and 48.2%, respectively. mS-GRAS score was a significantly better predictor of recurrence (C-index=0.829) and death (C-index=0.747) than each component (P<0.05), except for resection status. mS-GRAS scores correlated with shorter progression-free survival (P=8.34E-24) and overall survival (P=2.72E-13).
Conclusion
mS-GRAS scores showed better prognostic performance than tumor stage and grade in Asian patients who underwent surgery for ACC.
5.Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of DW1903 in Patients with Gastritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Noninferiority, Multicenter, Phase 3 study
Jie-Hyun KIM ; Hwoon-Yong JUNG ; In Kyung YOO ; Seon-Young PARK ; Jae Gyu KIM ; Jae Kyu SUNG ; Jin Seok JANG ; Gab Jin CHEON ; Kyoung Oh KIM ; Tae Oh KIM ; Soo Teik LEE ; Kwang Bum CHO ; Hoon Jai CHUN ; Jong-Jae PARK ; Moo In PARK ; Jae-Young JANG ; Seong Woo JEON ; Jin Woong CHO ; Dae Hwan KANG ; Gwang Ha KIM ; Jae J. KIM ; Sang Gyun KIM ; Nayoung KIM ; Yong Chan LEE ; Su Jin HONG ; Hyun-Soo KIM ; Sora LEE ; Sang Woo LEE
Gut and Liver 2024;18(1):70-76
Background/Aims:
H2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) have been used to treat gastritis by inhibiting gastric acid. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are more potent acid suppressants than H2RA.However, the efficacy and safety of low-dose PPI for treating gastritis remain unclear. The aim was to investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose PPI for treating gastritis.
Methods:
A double-blind, noninferiority, multicenter, phase 3 clinical trial randomly assigned 476 patients with endoscopic erosive gastritis to a group using esomeprazole 10 mg (DW1903) daily and a group using famotidine 20 mg (DW1903R1) daily for 2 weeks. The full-analysis set included 319 patients (DW1903, n=159; DW1903R1, n=160) and the per-protocol set included 298 patients (DW1903, n=147; DW1903R1, n=151). The primary endpoint (erosion improvement rate) and secondary endpoint (erosion and edema cure rates, improvement rates of hemorrhage, erythema, and symptoms) were assessed after the treatment. Adverse events were compared.
Results:
According to the full-analysis set, the erosion improvement rates in the DW1903 and DW1903R1 groups were 59.8% and 58.8%, respectively. According to the per-protocol analysis, the erosion improvement rates in the DW1903 and DW1903R1 groups were 61.9% and 59.6%, respectively. Secondary endpoints were not significantly different between two groups except that the hemorrhagic improvement rate was higher in DW1903 with statistical tendency. The number of adverse events were not statistically different.
Conclusions
DW1903 of a low-dose PPI was not inferior to DW1903R1 of H2RA. Thus, lowdose PPI can be a novel option for treating gastritis (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05163756).
6.Effects of a forest therapy camp on cancer survivors’ stress, mood and natural killer cells in Korea
Young Ran CHAE ; Su Youn PARK ; So Yean KANG ; Hyo Young KANG ; Sun Hee LEE ; Young Mi JO ; In Sun CHEON
Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science 2024;26(3):185-194
Purpose:
This study investigated changes in psychological and physiological indices in cancer survivors who participated in a forest therapy camp in Korea.
Methods:
A total of 37 cancer survivors (19 and 18 in the experimental and control groups, respectively) participated in this study. Over a 2-night and 3-day period, the participants in the experimental group took part in a forest therapy camp that included activities such as gymnastics, walking, five-senses experiences, and meditation. Both groups completed self-report questionnaires that measured their stress levels and profile of mood states, both before and after the forest therapy camp. Blood samples were collected to measure the levels of cortisol, serotonin, and natural killer (NK) cells.
Results:
After the forest therapy camp, the experimental group exhibited reduced stress levels (p = .031) and a significant improvement in total mood disturbance (p = .047) when compared with the control group. The level of serotonin also significantly increased (p < .001). However, in contrast to the prediction, a significant increase in cortisol was noted in the experimental group relative to the control group (p = .016). Moreover, no significant difference in NK cells was noted between the two groups.
Conclusion
Forest therapy can be easily applied to cancer survivors. The positive psychological effects of the forest therapy camp were confirmed by improvements in stress and mood states and the increased level of serotonin in forest therapy camp participants. However, there is a need for a follow-up evaluation of cortisol and NK cells due to the absence of significant between-group differences.
7.Evaluating the Validity and Reliability of the Korean Version of the Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease–Cognition
Jinse PARK ; Eungseok OH ; Seong-Beom KOH ; In-Uk SONG ; Tae-Beom AHN ; Sang Jin KIM ; Sang-Myung CHEON ; Yoon-Joong KIM ; Jin Whan CHO ; Hyeo-Il MA ; Mee Young PARK ; Jong Sam BAIK ; Phil Hyu LEE ; Sun Ju CHUNG ; Jong-Min KIM ; Han-Joon KIM ; Young-Hee SUNG ; Do Young KWON ; Jae-Hyeok LEE ; Jee-Young LEE ; Ji Seon KIM ; Ji Young YUN ; Hee Jin KIM ; Jin Yong HONG ; Mi-Jung KIM ; Jinyoung YOUN ; Hui-Jun YANG ; Won Tae YOON ; Sooyeoun YOU ; Kyum-Yil KWON ; Su-Yun LEE ; Younsoo KIM ; Hee-Tae KIM ; Joong-Seok KIM ; Ji-Young KIM
Journal of Movement Disorders 2024;17(3):328-332
Objective:
The Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease–Cognition (SCOPA-Cog) was developed to assess cognition in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the SCOPACog (K-SCOPA-Cog).
Methods:
We enrolled 129 PD patients with movement disorders from 31 clinics in South Korea. The original version of the SCOPA-Cog was translated into Korean using the translation-retranslation method. The test–retest method with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were used to assess reliability. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Korean version (MOCA-K) and the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) were used to assess concurrent validity.
Results:
The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.797, and the ICC was 0.887. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation with the K-MMSE and MOCA-K scores (r = 0.546 and r = 0.683, respectively).
Conclusion
Our results demonstrate that the K-SCOPA-Cog has good reliability and validity.
8.Comparison of Short- and Long-Term Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: One-Year Outcomes
Jun-Hyok OH ; Jinmi KIM ; Jeong-Su KIM ; Hye Won LEE ; Sun Hack LEE ; Jeong Cheon CHOE ; Min Sun KIM ; Jinhee AHN ; Jung Hyun CHOI ; Han Cheol LEE ; Kwang Soo CHA
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2024;39(47):e294-
Background:
The optimal duration and net clinical benefit of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) have not been elucidated in realworld situations.
Methods:
Using nationwide claims data from 2013 to 2021, we selected patients who underwent TAVR and categorized them into two groups: short- and long-term (≤ 3 and > 3 months, respectively) DAPT group. Propensity score matching was used to balance baseline characteristics. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of net adverse clinical events (NACEs), including all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, any coronary and peripheral revascularization, systemic thromboembolism, and bleeding events, at 1 year. Survival analyses were conducted using Kaplan-Meier estimation and Cox proportional hazards regression.
Results:
Patients who met the inclusion criteria (1,695) were selected. Propensity score matching yielded 1,215 pairs of patients: 416 and 799 in the short- and long-term DAPT groups, respectively. In the unmatched cohort, the mean ages were 79.8 ± 6.1 and 79.7 ± 5.8 years for the short- and long-term DAPT groups, respectively. In the matched cohort, the mean ages were 80.6 ± 5.9 and 79.9 ± 5.9 years for the short- and long-term DAPT groups, respectively. Over one year in the unmatched cohort, the NACE incidence was 11.9% and 11.5% in the short- and long-term DAPT groups, respectively (P = 0.893). The all-cause mortality rates were 7.4% and 4.7% (P = 0.042), composite ischemic event rates were 2.5% and 4.7% (P = 0.056), and bleeding event rates were 2.7% and 4.7% (P = 0.056) in the shortand long-term groups, respectively. In the matched cohort, the incidence of NACE was 9.6% in the short-term DAPT group and 11.6% in the long-term DAPT group, respectively (P = 0.329).The all-cause mortality rates were 6.5% and 4.9% (P = 0.298), composite ischemic event rates were 1.4% and 4.5% (P = 0.009), and bleeding event rates were 2.2% and 4.4% (P = 0.072) in the short- and long-term groups, respectively.
Conclusion
In patients who successfully underwent transfemoral TAVR, the short- and longterm DAPT groups exhibited similar one-year NACE rates. However, patients in the long-term DAPT group experienced more bleeding and ischemic events.
9.Feasibility of a deep learning artificial intelligence model for the diagnosis of pediatric ileocolic intussusception with grayscale ultrasonography
Se Woo KIM ; Jung-Eun CHEON ; Young Hun CHOI ; Jae-Yeon HWANG ; Su-Mi SHIN ; Yeon Jin CHO ; Seunghyun LEE ; Seul Bi LEE
Ultrasonography 2024;43(1):57-67
Purpose:
This study explored the feasibility of utilizing a deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) model to detect ileocolic intussusception on grayscale ultrasound images.
Methods:
This retrospective observational study incorporated ultrasound images of children who underwent emergency ultrasonography for suspected ileocolic intussusception. After excluding video clips, Doppler images, and annotated images, 40,765 images from two tertiary hospitals were included (positive-to-negative ratio: hospital A, 2,775:35,373; hospital B, 140:2,477). Images from hospital A were split into a training set, a tuning set, and an internal test set (ITS) at a ratio of 7:1.5:1.5. Images from hospital B comprised an external test set (ETS). For each image indicating intussusception, two radiologists provided a bounding box as the ground-truth label. If intussusception was suspected in the input image, the model generated a bounding box with a confidence score (0-1) at the estimated lesion location. Average precision (AP) was used to evaluate overall model performance. The performance of practical thresholds for the modelgenerated confidence score, as determined from the ITS, was verified using the ETS.
Results:
The AP values for the ITS and ETS were 0.952 and 0.936, respectively. Two confidence thresholds, CTopt and CTprecision, were set at 0.557 and 0.790, respectively. For the ETS, the perimage precision and recall were 95.7% and 80.0% with CTopt, and 98.4% and 44.3% with CTprecision. For per-patient diagnosis, the sensitivity and specificity were 100.0% and 97.1% with CTopt, and 100.0% and 99.0% with CTprecision. The average number of false positives per patient was 0.04 with CTopt and 0.01 for CTprecision.
Conclusion
The feasibility of using an AI model to diagnose ileocolic intussusception on ultrasonography was demonstrated. However, further study involving bias-free data is warranted for robust clinical validation.
10.Comparison of Short- and Long-Term Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: One-Year Outcomes
Jun-Hyok OH ; Jinmi KIM ; Jeong-Su KIM ; Hye Won LEE ; Sun Hack LEE ; Jeong Cheon CHOE ; Min Sun KIM ; Jinhee AHN ; Jung Hyun CHOI ; Han Cheol LEE ; Kwang Soo CHA
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2024;39(47):e294-
Background:
The optimal duration and net clinical benefit of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) have not been elucidated in realworld situations.
Methods:
Using nationwide claims data from 2013 to 2021, we selected patients who underwent TAVR and categorized them into two groups: short- and long-term (≤ 3 and > 3 months, respectively) DAPT group. Propensity score matching was used to balance baseline characteristics. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of net adverse clinical events (NACEs), including all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, any coronary and peripheral revascularization, systemic thromboembolism, and bleeding events, at 1 year. Survival analyses were conducted using Kaplan-Meier estimation and Cox proportional hazards regression.
Results:
Patients who met the inclusion criteria (1,695) were selected. Propensity score matching yielded 1,215 pairs of patients: 416 and 799 in the short- and long-term DAPT groups, respectively. In the unmatched cohort, the mean ages were 79.8 ± 6.1 and 79.7 ± 5.8 years for the short- and long-term DAPT groups, respectively. In the matched cohort, the mean ages were 80.6 ± 5.9 and 79.9 ± 5.9 years for the short- and long-term DAPT groups, respectively. Over one year in the unmatched cohort, the NACE incidence was 11.9% and 11.5% in the short- and long-term DAPT groups, respectively (P = 0.893). The all-cause mortality rates were 7.4% and 4.7% (P = 0.042), composite ischemic event rates were 2.5% and 4.7% (P = 0.056), and bleeding event rates were 2.7% and 4.7% (P = 0.056) in the shortand long-term groups, respectively. In the matched cohort, the incidence of NACE was 9.6% in the short-term DAPT group and 11.6% in the long-term DAPT group, respectively (P = 0.329).The all-cause mortality rates were 6.5% and 4.9% (P = 0.298), composite ischemic event rates were 1.4% and 4.5% (P = 0.009), and bleeding event rates were 2.2% and 4.4% (P = 0.072) in the short- and long-term groups, respectively.
Conclusion
In patients who successfully underwent transfemoral TAVR, the short- and longterm DAPT groups exhibited similar one-year NACE rates. However, patients in the long-term DAPT group experienced more bleeding and ischemic events.

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