1.Perceptions of treatment, accompanying symptoms, and other problems in patients with chronic pain: a multicenter cross-sectional study in Korea
Jieun BAE ; Yun Hee LIM ; Sung Jun HONG ; Jae Hun JEONG ; Hey Ran CHOI ; Sun Kyung PARK ; Jung Eun KIM ; Jae Hun KIM
The Korean Journal of Pain 2025;38(1):69-78
Background:
Chronic pain significantly affects daily activities, mental health, and the interpersonal relationships of patients. Consequently, physicians use various treatments to manage pain. This study investigated the perceptions of treatment, accompanying symptoms, and other problems in patients with chronic pain.
Methods:
The authors enrolled patients with chronic pain from 19 university hospitals in South Korea. Data was collected on age, gender, diagnosis, disease duration, severity of pain, perception of pain treatment, and accompanying symptoms or problems using an anonymous survey comprising 19 questions.
Results:
In total, 833 patients with chronic pain completed the survey, and 257 (31.0%) and 537 (64.5%) patientsexpressed concerns about the potential adverse effects of medication and opioid addiction, respectively. Personalitychanges such as irritability or anger were the most frequent accompanying symptoms in 507 (63.8%) patients, followed by depression and sleep disturbance in 462 (58.1%) and 450 (54.5%) patients, respectively. Depression (P = 0.001) and anxiety (P = 0.029) were more common among women, whereas divorce (P = 0.016), family conflict (P < 0.001), unemployment (P < 0.001), suicide attempts (P < 0.001), and restrictions on economic activity (P < 0.001) were more common among men. The frequency of accompanying symptoms, except for suicidal ideation,was higher in the younger patients aged ≤ 40 years than in the older patients aged > 40 years.
Conclusions
Many patients with chronic pain had concerns about adverse effects or medication tolerance and experienced anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances. The prevalence of accompanying problems varies according to age and gender.
2.Microglial galectin-3 increases with aging in the mouse hippocampus
Hyun Joo SHIN ; So Jeong LEE ; Hyeong Seok AN ; Ha Nyeoung CHOI ; Eun Ae JEONG ; Jaewoong LEE ; Kyung Eun KIM ; Bong-Hoi CHOI ; Seung Pil YUN ; Dawon KANG ; Sang Soo KANG ; Gu Seob ROH
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(2):215-225
Microglial activation during aging is associated with neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Galectin-3 plays a crucial role in microglial activation and phagocytosis. However, the role of galectin-3 in the aged brain is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated aging-related mechanisms and microglial galectin-3 expression in the mouse hippocampus using female 6-, 12-, and 24-month-old C57BL/6 mice. Western blot analysis revealed neurodegeneration, blood-brain barrier leakage, and increased levels of neuroinflammation-related proteins in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in activated microglia in the hippocampus of 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Furthermore, we found more galectin-3 and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2-positive microglia in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Using primary mouse microglial cells, galectin -3 was also increased by lipopolysaccharide treatment. These findings suggest that galectin-3 may play an important role in microglial activation and neuroinflammation during brain aging.
3.Hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea: an analysis of the 2016-2018 Korean Nationwide Cancer Registry
Jihyun AN ; Young CHANG ; Gwang Hyeon CHOI ; Won SOHN ; Jeong Eun SONG ; Hyunjae SHIN ; Jae Hyun YOON ; Jun Sik YOON ; Hye Young JANG ; Eun Ju CHO ; Ji Won HAN ; Suk Kyun HONG ; Ju-Yeon CHO ; Kyu-Won JUNG ; Eun Hye PARK ; Eunyang KIM ; Bo Hyun KIM
Journal of Liver Cancer 2025;25(1):109-122
Background:
s/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Korea. This study evaluated the characteristics of Korean patients newly diagnosed with HCC in 2016-2018.
Methods:
Data from the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry (KPLCR), a representative database of patients newly diagnosed with HCC in South Korea, were analyzed. This study investigated 4,462 patients with HCC registered in the KPLCR in 2016-2018.
Results:
The median patient age was 63 years (interquartile range, 55-72). 79.7% of patients were male. Hepatitis B infection was the most common underlying liver disease (54.5%). The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system classified patients as follows: stage 0 (14.9%), A (28.8%), B (7.5%), C (39.0%), and D (9.8%). The median overall survival was 3.72 years (95% confidence interval, 3.47-4.14), with 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of 71.3%, 54.1%, and 44.3%, respectively. In 2016-2018, there was a significant shift toward BCLC stage 0-A and Child-Turcotte-Pugh liver function class A (P<0.05), although survival rates did not differ by diagnosis year. In the treatment group (n=4,389), the most common initial treatments were transarterial therapy (31.7%), surgical resection (24.9%), best supportive care (18.9%), and local ablation therapy (10.5%).
Conclusions
Between 2016 and 2018, HCC tended to be diagnosed at earlier stages, with better liver function in later years. However, since approximately half of the patients remained diagnosed at an advanced stage, more rigorous and optimized HCC screening strategies should be implemented.
4.2025 Seoul Consensus on Clinical Practice Guidelines for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Yonghoon CHOI ; Young Hoon YOUN ; Seung Joo KANG ; Jeong Eun SHIN ; Young Sin CHO ; Yoon Suk JUNG ; Seung Yong SHIN ; Cheal Wung HUH ; Yoo Jin LEE ; Hoon Sup KOO ; Kwangwoo NAM ; Hong Sub LEE ; Dong Hyun KIM ; Ye Hyun PARK ; Min Cheol KIM ; Hyo Yeop SONG ; Sung-Hoon YOON ; Sang Yeol LEE ; Miyoung CHOI ; Moo-In PARK ; In-Kyung SUNG ;
Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility 2025;31(2):133-169
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, disabling, and functional bowel disorder that significantly affects social functioning and reduces quality of life and increases social costs. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility published clinical practice guidelines on the management of IBS based on a systematic review of the literature in 2017, and planned to revise these guidelines in light of new evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IBS. The current revised version of the guidelines is consistent with the previous version and targets adults diagnosed with or suspected of having IBS. These guidelines were developed using a combination of de novo and adaptation methods, with analyses of existing guidelines and discussions within the committee, leading to the identification of key clinical questions. Finally, the guidelines consisted of 22 recommendations, including 3 concerning the definition and risk factors of IBS, 4 regarding diagnostic modalities and strategies, 2 regarding general management, and 13 regarding medical treatment. For each statement, the advantages, disadvantages, and precautions were thoroughly detailed. The modified Delphi method was used to achieve expert consensus to adopt the core recommendations of the guidelines. These guidelines serve as a reference for clinicians (including primary care physicians, general healthcare providers, medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals) and patients, helping them to make informed decisions regarding IBS management.
5.Effects of psychological conditions and changes on smoking cessation success after a residential smoking cessation therapy program: a retrospective observational study
Gyu Lee KIM ; Yu Hyeon YI ; Jeong Gyu LEE ; Young Jin TAK ; Seung Hun LEE ; Young Jin RA ; Sang Yeoup LEE ; Young Hye CHO ; Eun Ju PARK ; Youngin LEE ; Jung In CHOI
Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science 2025;42(1):20-
Background:
Residential smoking cessation therapy programs offer intensive treatment for heavy smokers who struggle to quit independently, particularly those with high nicotine dependence and health conditions that necessitate urgent cessation. While previous studies have established the effectiveness of such programs and identified various factors influencing smoking cessation success, it remains unclear how changes in smokers’ thoughts and attitudes following residential therapy correlate with their ability to quit smoking. We investigated the relationship between smoking cessation-related characteristics, smoking-related psychological status, and participants’ smoking cessation success after a residential smoking cessation therapy program.
Methods:
From January 2017 to December 2018, 291 participants completed the program. All participants completed questionnaires on smoking cessation-related characteristics and smoking-related psychological status before the program and on the 5th day. Six months later, smoking cessation success was assessed using a urine cotinine test.
Results:
After 6 months, 222 participants successfully quit smoking, while 69 failed. The success and failure groups exhibited statistically significant differences in age, marital status, total smoking duration, stress, and emotion regulation strategies. Participants who used ineffective emotion regulation strategies more frequently had a lower rate of smoking cessation success (odds ratio [OR], 0.969; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.948–0.991). Moreover, an increase in the perception of the negative effects of smoking cessation (OR, 0.982; 95% CI, 0.967–0.997) and smoking temptation (OR, 0.960; 95% CI, 0.929–0.993) was associated with higher cessation success.
Conclusion
Emotion regulation strategies, perceptions of the effects of smoking cessation, and smoking temptation were associated with successful smoking cessation.
6.Evaluation of Image Quality and Scan Time Efficiency in Accelerated 3D T1-Weighted Pediatric Brain MRI Using Deep Learning-Based Reconstruction
Hyunsuk YOO ; Hee Eun MOON ; Soojin KIM ; Da Hee KIM ; Young Hun CHOI ; Jeong-Eun CHEON ; Joon Sung LEE ; Seunghyun LEE
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(2):180-192
Objective:
This study evaluated the effect of an accelerated three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted pediatric brain MRI protocol using a deep learning (DL)-based reconstruction algorithm on scan time and image quality.
Materials and Methods:
This retrospective study included 46 pediatric patients who underwent conventional and accelerated, pre- and post-contrast, 3D T1-weighted brain MRI using a 3T scanner (SIGNA Premier; GE HealthCare) at a single tertiary referral center between March 1, 2023, and April 30, 2023. Conventional scans were reconstructed using intensity Filter A (Conv), whereas accelerated scans were reconstructed using intensity Filter A (Fast_A) and a DL-based algorithm (Fast_DL).Image quality was assessed quantitatively based on the coefficient of variation, relative contrast, apparent signal-to-noise ratio (aSNR), and apparent contrast-to-noise ratio (aCNR) and qualitatively according to radiologists’ ratings of overall image quality, artifacts, noisiness, gray-white matter differentiation, and lesion conspicuity.
Results:
The acquisition times for the pre- and post-contrast scans were 191 and 135 seconds, respectively, for the conventional scan. With the accelerated protocol, these were reduced to 135 and 80 seconds, achieving time reductions of 29.3% and 40.7%, respectively. DL-based reconstruction significantly reduced the coefficient of variation, improved the aSNR, aCNR, and overall image quality, and reduced the number of artifacts compared with the conventional acquisition method (all P < 0.05). However, the lesion conspicuity remained similar between the two protocols.
Conclusion
Utilizing a DL-based reconstruction algorithm in accelerated 3D T1-weighted pediatric brain MRI can significantly shorten the acquisition time, enhance image quality, and reduce artifacts, making it a viable option for pediatric imaging.
7.Radiofrequency Ablation for Recurrent Thyroid Cancers:2025 Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology Guideline
Eun Ju HA ; Min Kyoung LEE ; Jung Hwan BAEK ; Hyun Kyung LIM ; Hye Shin AHN ; Seon Mi BAEK ; Yoon Jung CHOI ; Sae Rom CHUNG ; Ji-hoon KIM ; Jae Ho SHIN ; Ji Ye LEE ; Min Ji HONG ; Hyun Jin KIM ; Leehi JOO ; Soo Yeon HAHN ; So Lyung JUNG ; Chang Yoon LEE ; Jeong Hyun LEE ; Young Hen LEE ; Jeong Seon PARK ; Jung Hee SHIN ; Jin Yong SUNG ; Miyoung CHOI ; Dong Gyu NA ;
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(1):10-28
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.
8.Erratum: Induction of apoptotic cell death in human bladder cancer cells by ethanol extract of Zanthoxylum schinifolium leaf, through ROSdependent inactivation of the PI3K/ Akt signaling pathway
Cheol PARK ; Eun Ok CHOI ; Hyun HWANGBO ; Hyesook LEE ; Jin-Woo JEONG ; Min Ho HAN ; Sung-Kwon MOON ; Seok Joong YUN ; Wun-Jae KIM ; Gi-Young KIM ; Hye-Jin HWANG ; Yung Hyun CHOI
Nutrition Research and Practice 2025;19(2):328-330
9.Resveratrol attenuates aging-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in the rat heart
Youngju CHOI ; Mi-Hyun NO ; Jun-Won HEO ; Eun-Jeong CHO ; Dong-Ho PARK ; Ju-Hee KANG ; Chang-Ju KIM ; Dae Yun SEO ; Jin HAN ; Hyo-Bum KWAK
Nutrition Research and Practice 2025;19(2):186-199
RESULTS:
Resveratrol significantly reduced cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling in aging hearts. In addition, resveratrol significantly ameliorated aging-induced mitochondrial dysfunction (e.g., decreased oxygen respiration and increased hydrogen peroxide emission) and mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signaling (the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening sensitivity, and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels).Resveratrol also significantly attenuated aging-induced apoptosis (determined via cleaved caspase-3 staining and TUNEL-positive myonuclei) in cardiac muscles.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates that resveratrol treatment has a beneficial effect on aging-induced cardiac remodeling by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibiting mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in the heart.

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